This can be traced back to Watergate. There are many examples of this in U.S. history. More recently in 1989, a Michigan School District proposition failed when the election ended in a tie. One more vote and the proposition would have passed. In 1800, Thomas Jefferson was elected president when he beat his opponent by just one vote.
People see voting as an act of civic responsibility many never follow through with the act.
Citizens with more money and education vote more often. For example, according to the FEC, up to three-fourths of college graduates vote, compared to less than a third of people without college degrees. But it is the civic duty of everyone to vote, not just the rich and educated. In California, you have 29 days to vote. After the last day to register to vote passes, official ballots can be cast in the Elections Department.