http://www.stat.columbia.edu/~cook/movabletype/archives/2005/08/voting_as_a_rat.html Gerry Mackie writes, regarding our work on the rationality of voting. He had a specific question about the probability of a decisive vote. I'll give his question, then my reply, then some more paragraphs of his, discussing motivations for voting.... en-us <p><a href="http://polisci.ucsd.edu/faculty/mackie.htm">Gerry Mackie</a> writes, regarding <a href="http://www.stat.columbia.edu/~cook/movabletype/archives/2004/10/why_its_rationa.html">our work on the rationality of voting</a>. He had a specific question about the probability of a decisive vote. I'll give his question, then my reply, then some more paragraphs of his, discussing motivations for voting.</p> http://www.stat.columbia.edu/~cook/movabletype/archives/2005/08/voting_as_a_rat.html <p>Expression, Hell! I'm bettin' here!<br /><br /><br /> <b>1/#voters</b> is pretty hefty in a school board or bond issue special election, when turnouts are 10-15% of registered voters. Taking 30 minutes out to vote can pay off in thousands of dollars in avoided property taxes or the establishment of new municipal services. </p> http://www.stat.columbia.edu/~cook/movabletype/archives/000264.html#001021