Five Barriers to Voting and How to Overcome Them

Long lines are one barrier to voting for some people. But there are ways to avoid them. Photo: Shutterstock

Sometimes, we have every intention of doing the right thing. We intend to file our taxes on time, renew our car registration, and pay down that credit card debt. But then life happens. Suddenly, even the best intentions can dissolve into excuses, justifications, and, ultimately, panic when we realize it’s too late.  

That’s especially true when it comes to voting. Millions of us don’t do it. In fact, in any given election, between 35 and 60% of eligible voters across the country don’t cast a ballot. Both big and small things stand in the way. Some barriers are psychological. Voters may feel uninspired by the choices and not personally invested in the stakes. (If that’s your view, check out our blog on why your vote matters.) Other barriers are more a…