It's interesting, but I think that the lower levels of participation by the poor and minorities might be an effect, not a cause. Think about it, if you vote for a few cycles and get absolutely nothing out of it, are you going to go out of your way to vote ? Especially given that if you're working hourly, voting can literally cost you money? (By reducing hours on Election Day) they get at best neutral feedback (no results) and at worst punished (loss of income when there's a greater need for every dollar you can get) I don't see much reason that someone would risk getting wrote up for taking a long lunch, lose $10 when they can't afford the basics, and get nothing out of the act of voting. I wouldn't vote then.
It's interesting, but I think that the lower levels of participation by the poor and minorities might be an effect, not a cause. Think about it, if you vote for a few cycles and get absolutely nothing out of it, are you going to go out of your way to vote ? Especially given that if you're working hourly, voting can literally cost you money? (By reducing hours on Election Day) they get at best neutral feedback (no results) and at worst punished (loss of income when there's a greater need for every dollar you can get) I don't see much reason that someone would risk getting wrote up for taking a long lunch, lose $10 when they can't afford the basics, and get nothing out of the act of voting. I wouldn't vote then.