Why does the US have such low voter turnout?

After a long campaign, it’s less than two weeks before millions of Americans cast their votes. But turnout could be as low as 50%. Why do so few people vote? With two of the most unpopular presidential candidates in history, some pundits are concerned there could be a record low in voter numbers. Turnout has been on a historic downward trend in recent years – with the exception of President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, said David Becker, the executive director of the Center for the Election Innovation and Research. Participation has hovered between 48% and 57% in US presidential elections since 1980. That contrasts with France, where turnout regularly tops 80%.