“Abstention” explores voter behavior, providing insights into the reasons and consequences of political abstention. In today's context, understanding why voters abstain is crucial for political science scholars. This book examines how abstention influences electoral dynamics and governance. It serves as a vital resource for students, professionals, and anyone interested in political processes, enabling a critical analysis of the implications of not voting.

1. Abstention — Defines abstention, exploring its historical context and relevance today.

2. Majority — Investigates majority rule and how abstention affects majorities in elections.

3. Ballot Access — Discusses ballot access's importance and barriers that lead to abstention.

4. Division of the Assembly — Examines how assembly divisions influence members' voting abstentions.

5. Protest Vote — Analyzes protest voting and how abstention can express discontent.

6. Supermajority — Explores supermajority requirements and their discouragement of participation.

7. None of the Above — Evaluates the “none of the above” option's implications for abstention.

8. Casting Vote — Investigates voting mechanics and their impact on turnout and abstention.

9. Spoilt Vote — Discusses spoilt votes and their reflection of voter dissatisfaction.

10. Contingent Election — Examines contingent elections and the role of abstention in outcomes.

11. Libertarian Party (U.S.) — Analyzes the Libertarian Party's impact on abstention among disillusioned voters.

12. Faithless Elector — Discusses faithless electors' relation to abstention and representation.

13. Elections in California — Highlights patterns of abstention in California's electoral landscape.

14. Voting Methods in Deliberative Assemblies — Explores voting methods and their effects on abstention rates.

15. Electoral Reform in Virginia — Examines reforms in Virginia that may reduce voter abstention.

16. Elections in D.C. — Focuses on electoral challenges in D.C. and their influence on turnout.

17. Elections in Oregon — Analyzes how policies in Oregon affect voter engagement and abstention.

18. 2010 U.S. Senate Election in Alaska — Examines factors leading to voter abstention in Alaska's Senate race.

19. Combined Approval Voting — Discusses combined approval voting's potential to reduce abstention.

20. 2024 U.S. Senate Election in Montana — Considers abstention trends shaping Montana's political landscape.

21. 2020 Massachusetts Question 2 — Explores ranked choice voting's implications for participation and abstention.

By navigating the complexities of abstention, this book offers invaluable tools for influencing the political landscape effectively. The insights from “Abstention” greatly exceed the cost of the book.

Comparative Politics