Political apathy significantly impacts voter turnout by causing individuals to disengage from the political process. When citizens feel that their votes do not matter or that the political system does not represent their interests, they are less likely to participate in elections. This lack of engagement can be exacerbated by factors such as disillusionment with political parties, limited access to information, and negative perceptions of candidates. Lower voter turnout undermines the democratic process, often resulting in unrepresentative outcomes and increasing the influence of active, passionate groups over the electoral landscape.