What Voters Want
by Francine Dash
June 2020
Producing a podcast that specifically focuses on the views of voters, regardless of their political leanings, has taught us a great deal about what makes America great. From business owners, to corporate leaders, and educators to the unemployed, all voters want to know is that their vote counts toward something that will be good for them and their families.
They want to know that their elected leaders and those who they appoint, do not forget that they are public servants to the American populace, not purveyors of their own agendas. But how does that actually work in a representative democracy, with an electoral college, that makes the final decision as to who leads the United States?
HOW VOTING WORKS IN THE UNITED STATES
Each election cycle, those seeking to fill political seats either raise money or put up their own money to get the attention of people who vote to vote for them. Polls and statistics usually lead the strategy as to where time, efforts and money are to be spent and invested.
If the polls and statistics show that 50% of the people in “Community Purple” voted and 10% of people voted in “Community Blue” voted, the cash strapped politician may focus more strongly on the area where 50% of the people came out to vote, especially if the politician shares the views of those voters.
Further, if the same politician discovers through polling that of the 50% of voters in Community Purple support his/her opponent’s agenda, the message may focus on pointing out flaws in their opponent, while trying not to offend those who support that person.
Likewise, if the majority of people in Community Blue do support his/her agenda, the strategy may be to “increase the number of people who vote” from 10% to some magic number that will help secure a victory.
Now, it does get more complicated than this, but the point that I want to make here is in this hubbub of politicking, many actual voters get left out during the pre-vote season. Many voices and communities are passed over, as political pollsters, who often go door to door, focus on voices and communities they think will bring not only votes, but dollars.
That’s where POINTCAST comes in.
We talk, one on one with voters every week. They share their stories in their own words. They share their politics and why their politics matter; and they also tell us how they feel through an anonymous survey. We are listening. Voters are being heard; and we invite elected officials, appointed officials and other public servants to listen to them, as well.