Why do people not participate in elections?

They feel excluded from politics

Many young people, women, ethnic minorities, disabled people and LGBT people feel that they are underrepresented. This can make them think “Why bother?” Only 4.5% of MSPs are from an ethnic minority background, compared to 7.1% of the Scottish population

They are tired of politics

There have been too many elections so close together, and they don’t see the point anymore. For example, over the past 8 years, Scottish voters have had the chance to vote in 10 different elections

They don’t think their participation will matter

Individuals might not feel that their voice is loud enough and so feel that a single protest or vote won’t make a difference. For example, a few people have been protesting and voting against the nuclear weapons at Faslane in Scotland for decades but they are still there

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