Every election cycle, a shocking amount of money is spent on encouraging people to vote in countries like the US.
Of course, political parties spend billions on doing so, which is quite a small investment when the winner gets to allocate trillions of dollars — but nonpartisan groups also try desperately to get people of all backgrounds and political persuasions to head to the ballot box. Underpinning these efforts is a belief that a bigger electorate means a democracy that is more stable, legitimate, and representative.
Before 2012, California’s Santa Clara County spent over $90,000 per year on “I Voted” stickers. In campaigns involving volunteers knocking on doors or making phone calls to drive up voting rates, the cost sits at around $30–40 per vote. Free food and water at polling stations, free buses for seniors, merchandise and celebrity endorsements are all part of the “Get Out And Vote” industry.