People have different reasons for not showing up on Election Day. Burlingham/Shutterstock.com Andrew Joseph Pegoda, University of Houston At least 40% to 90% of American voters stay home during elections, evidence that low voter turnout for both national and local elections is a serious problem throughout the United States. With the 2020 presidential election approaching, directives for people to “get out and vote” will be firing up again. Some people might be indifferent or simply not care, but many who forgo voting have legitimate reasons.