Question

Given that rational ignorance discourages some people from becoming informed about elections, is it necessarily a good idea to encourage greater voter turnout? Why or why not?

Short answer

Yes, to some extent it is a good idea to encourage voter turnout. Sometimes, it is not.

Step-by-step solution

Rational Ignorance Meaning

It means that people are less likely to vote due to being uninformed & unconcerned, believing that single vote is insignificant in decision with bearing huge information costs.

Explanation - Encouraging tools & their analysis.

Easing & simplifying registration, vote polling process & its feasibility - are tools used to encourage voting turnout.

It is suitable until it encourages & motivates people who feel connected & concerned, but just face feasibility challenges to poll vote. As it would bring a vote of value.

However, if incentives are too much - pushing uninterested & unconcerned people to vote. Then, they vote just for the sake of placing votes, these votes are unthoughtful & so not of good value.

Also, if voting process is tried to be extremely eased down (like less stringent photo id laws) - it might degrade process authenticity & reliability.