Voter Knowledge Skepticism

The cluster discusses doubts about voters' understanding of elections, policies, and their own interests, often highlighting influences like media, parties, and emotions over informed decision-making. Comments debate voter rationality, turnout, polls, and the reliability of public opinion in shaping outcomes.

➡️ Stable 0.8x Politics & Society
3,561
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#7371
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
4
2008
33
2009
36
2010
80
2011
56
2012
117
2013
116
2014
75
2015
135
2016
327
2017
218
2018
241
2019
281
2020
336
2021
254
2022
278
2023
246
2024
309
2025
395
2026
24

Keywords

VOTE MUST OP EVERYONE B2C DC wikipedia.org TV UK wikipedia.o vote voters voting elections ballot voter opinions election informed polls

Sample Comments

daveFNbuck Oct 22, 2019 View on HN

People not understanding how their vote affects the outcome is usually considered a downside.

Arkaad Nov 9, 2016 View on HN

Wouldn't that influence the voters?

lx0741 Sep 17, 2016 View on HN

Maybe because they influence the people who vote

ddebernardy Sep 22, 2013 View on HN

The public can't understand that, but it certainly forms opinions based on it. It votes, too...

drawnwren Oct 28, 2016 View on HN

This generally seems like a poor signal. People are very bad at reporting what affects their voting decision and a little better at reporting how they will vote. I would be much more apt to believe this was an important factor if we see a shift in the tracking polls or a significant shift in another.

jfengel Oct 30, 2024 View on HN

Most voters do indeed know what they want. In any election, well over 90% are going to vote for the same party they did last time.But it just so happens that those ~90% are divided both bitterly and evenly. Which means the election is going to be decided by a small percent of people.The former group is increasingly baffled by the latter, since the differences are so stark. It's hard to imagine what kind of person doesn't have a preference.I'd say that the OP is encouragin

duxup Jul 18, 2025 View on HN

I'm not convinced voters are good at voting for their own interests anyway.

teddyh Sep 18, 2016 View on HN

You’re assuming that any of the voters actually read it. They don’t have time either. The real reason they voted the way they did is probably that somebody else told them to.

adrianN Aug 6, 2022 View on HN

If only voters always knew what is in their best interest...

ashleyn Oct 26, 2023 View on HN

People's feelings matter a hell of a lot at the ballot box.