What made politics in the gilded age extremely popular with over 80 percent voter participation- yet so often corrupt and unconcerned with issues?

Answer 1

Politics in the Gilded Age were extremely popular due to the corrupt ways of the government in place. The Gilded Age is a sarcastically name given by Mark Twain to demonstrate the fact that the age may have seemed amazing but really it was not. During the Gilded Age over 80 percent of voters turned out to the polls to cast their votes in some of the tightest elections in United States history. The House of Representatives switched majority party six times between 1869 and 1891 and the presidential election was always a close one. The Democrats would generally control the southern electoral votes. The immigrant Lutherans and Roman Catholics also tended to lean heavily towards the Democratic Party. This Republicans however controlled the North and the Puritanical vote.

The way both parties managed to yield an 80 percent voting ratio was through corrupt bargains. Many political leaders would rely on giving people jobs if they get groups of people to go out and vote for their party. Many famous political leads of the time used kickbacks to add more votes for their party. The "Stalwart" faction led by Roscoe Conkling took full advantage of the kickback system. He would give people jobs in return for large groups of votes for him. The Gilded Age was full of kickbacks and corrupt deals which lead to an astounding amount of voters turning out for the polls.

Answer 2

Votes were often bought during The Gilded Age (approx 1870 - 1900). Corrupt politicians, with cash offered by companies and local businesses, would pay for lunch and drinks at local saloons for those who voted 'correctly,' Drunk voting, or voting-for-drinks was so egregious, that today bars are closed by law on election day in many cities and states.