What I'm wondering is has anyone ever thought of how different TLs may see significantly different voter turnouts for different elections? I'm talking general turnout rather than how it affects one candidate or the other, especially regarding
US elections.
Here's an example -- it's been discussed here before how minor changes in 1976 could lead to a Ford victory; I'd say in TTL's 1980 election (and likely 1984 as well) would not only be highly likely to see a Democratic victory, but much higher turnout overall, especially if Republicans still nominate Reagan; so instead of seeing participation levels fall nearly a percent (to 52.6%, lowest at the time since the 1920's), they could see it jump 2-5%, with turnout higher than both 1972 and 76.
If turnout is higher in the 1980's, there could be butterflies in how voter enthusiasm is understood in America, with any potential fall below 1948 levels coming as or after the Cold War ends. Leading no small number of sociologists to conclude, in a
post hoc ergo propter hoc fashion, that Americans need a sense of a larger struggle to give a damn about their government.
Anyway, that's a perhaps long-ish example -- anyone else give thought to voter turnout in ATLs?