Political discouragement can lead to significant reductions in voter turnout. When citizens feel that their vote does not matter or that the political process is rigged, they may become disillusioned and disengaged. This detachment is often exacerbated by factors such as voter suppression tactics or negative campaigning, which can create a sense of futility. The resulting lower turnout can skew electoral results, reflecting only the views of a more limited demographic that may not represent the broader population.