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Alison Kosik
New York

1:01-1:28
Alison Kosik
New York

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Voting is a right that all Americans are free to exercise.
But as it turns out, many don't take advantage of it.
And as Alison Kosik tells us, there's an income correlation.
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YOUR INCOME OFTEN DICTATES WHERE YOU LIVE AND WHERE YOU TO GO TO SCHOOL.
BUT IT CAN ALSO DICTATE HOW LIKELY YOU ARE TO VOTE.
THE CENSUS BUREAU SAYS THAT DURING THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION -- 80% OF ADULTS FROM HOUSEHOLDS EARNING AT LEAST $100K A YEAR EXERCISED THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE.
BUT ONLY 52% OF ADULTS FROM HOUSEHOLDS EARNING LESS THAN $20K TURNED UP AT A POLLING STATION.
SO WHAT'S KEEPING LOWER INCOME AMERICANS AWAY?
EDUCATION IS A BIG FACTOR.
EXPERTS SAY LOWER INCOME PEOPLE TEND TO BE LESS EDUCATED AND NOT AS POLITICALLY ACTIVE AS THEIR WEALTHIER COUNTERPARTS.
THOSE WITH HIGHER INCOMES ARE OFTEN BETTER CONNECTED TO DONORS AND POLITICIANS WHO CAN PERSUADE THEM TO VOTE.
WEALTHIER AMERICANS MAY ALSO FEEL THEY HAVE MORE OF A STAKE IN VOTING, BECAUSE OF TAXES, SERVICES, AND OTHER BENEFITS.
ON THE OTHER HAND -- PEOPLE FROM LOWER INCOMES MAY BE DISILLUSIONED AND FEEL THEIR VOTE DOES NOT MATTER.
BUT ADVOCATES SAY LOWER INCOME GROUPS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO VOTE BECAUSE THEY NEED THE MOST HELP FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
THE OTHER SIDE ARGUES THESE GROUPS AREN'T POLITICALLY INFORMED ENOUGH TO TAKE ON THAT RESPONSIBILITY.
ONE THING IS OBVIOUS -- BOTH INCOME GROUPS' POLITICAL CHOICES ARE POLARIZED IN THIS ELECTION.
A RECENT GALLUP POLL SHOWS THE RICHEST VOTERS ARE SUPPORTING REPUBLICAN NOMINEE MITT ROMNEY, WHILE HOUSEHOLDS EARNING LESS THAN $48K ARE SUPPORTING PRESIDENT OBAMA.
THE MIDDLE CLASS IS WHERE THE ELECTION WILL BE WON-- WHICH IS WHY BOTH CANDIDATES ARE TRYING SO HARD TO APPEAL TO THAT SECTION OF AMERICA.
I'M ALISON KOSIK IN NEW YORK.
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