Downs further argued that the benefits received from voting are, for the most part, negligible. If a voter does not see much difference between candidates, or if a voter feels the chances are small that his or her vote will change the outcome of the election, then the effect of his or her vote is minimal. In these instances, citizens choose the issues involved. They may perceive that the impact of their participation in these kinds of activities is more significant than simply going to the ballot box. While this perspective is helpful, it still does not address the question directly.
Voters consider factors other than the direct impact of their vote when they go to the ballot box.
For example, most citizens recognize that voting is an essential component of democracy. Citizens may conclude that even if their vote is not likely to change the outcome of an election, it is important to vote to show their support for the political process and the political system. Indeed, a system of government by the people is legitimate only to the extent that people participate. The fewer the number of people that participate, the less legitimate the system of government becomes. Downs ' assessment is also limited in that he does not seem to account for the many instances in which a single vote or a handful of votes have been decisive in electoral contests.