From the award-winning author of Out of Ordernamed the best political science book of the last decade by the American Political Science Associationcomes this landmark book about why Americans dont vote.Based on more than 80,000 interviews, The Vanishing Voter investigates whydespite a better educated citizenry, the end of racial barriers to voting, and simplified voter registration proceduresthe percentage of voters has steadily decreased to the point that the United States now has nearly the lowest voting rate in the world. Patterson cites the blurring of differences between the political parties, the news medias negative bias, and flaws in the election system to explain this disturbing trend while suggesting specific reforms intended to bring Americans back to the polls. Astute, far-reaching, and impeccably researched, The Vanishing Voter engages the very meaning of our relationship to our government.From the Trade Paperback edition.