In 2012, 40 percent of Americans didn’t vote. The research on this website is an attempt to determine why so many citizens opt out of this fundamental civic duty, using extensive survey research as well as interviews with nonvoters to give a voice to those who are often ignored or marginalized by politicians and the news media.

In addition to gaining a better understand of the attitudes of nonvoters, the research explores ways the news media could better engage nonvoters, which would increase the overall media usage and consumption.

The research by Professor Ellen Shearer and the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications dates to 1996.