How does voter turnout in the US compare to the voter turnout in other countries? How do you explain the differences? What were the effects of the two largest reforms in voter registration—the introduction of the Australian ballot and Motor-Voter registration—on the voter turnout rates?

Voter turnout in the United States is significantly lower than in most other developed countries. In 2016, about 55 percent of the voting-age population voted for president. It was more than in 2012, but less than in 2008.
In comparison:
73 percent of the voting-age population of Finland voted in 2015.
87 percent of the voting-age population of Belgium voted in 2014.
78 percent of the voting-age population of South Korea voted in 2017.
73 percent of the voting-age population of New Zealand voted in 2014.
65 percent of the voting-age population of the U.K. voted in 2016.
The United States was number 28 on the list of voter turnout for the most recent national election out of 35 members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The adoption of the Australian ballot and the Motor-Voter Act of 1993 were at least partially intended to increase voter turnout but were not significantly effective. 
The Motor-Voter Act was created to make registering to vote easier. However, it did not significantly increase the number of people who voted—and turnout was actually down a bit from 1993–1995.
The Australian ballot is a secret ballot, where voters cast their vote without anyone knowing who made it. It was adopted in 1890. It did not have a significant effect on voter turnout, though it was implemented at a time when many other voting adjustments—including literacy tests and poll taxes—lowered overall voter turnout in the U.S.
https://prospect.org/power/motor-voter-motivated-voter/

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/05/21/u-s-voter-turnout-trails-most-developed-countries/


The United States voter turnout is a topic of interest because despite the nation being a strong democracy, it ranks lower in voter turnout compared to other developed countries. The voter turnout was slightly higher in 2016 when compared to 2012, but it remained lower than the record turnout in 2008. In 2016, the voter turnout was estimated to have reached 55.7%, which was lower compared to countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The highest was Belgium at 87.2%.
In the United States, voter registration by those eligible is voluntary. Thus, the number of registered voters is much lower compared to the number of potential voters. In states where competition is low between the parties, low voter turnouts have been recorded due to minimal interest. Restrictive voting laws such as photo ID mandates have also impacted negatively on turnout.
The Motor Voter law was introduced to improve participation of marginalized groups in polls. However, the law has not yielded the expected results because its main focus is on registration. Marginalized groups have yet to be convinced of the need to turn out and vote. The Australian ballot system serves the purpose of reducing fraud and expanding voter freedom during the actual voting, but it cannot motivate voters to turn out at the ballot. Thus, more needs to be done to motivate and convince the eligible voters to register and participate in electing their representatives.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/voter-turnout-united-states

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/05/21/u-s-voter-turnout-trails-most-developed-countries/


In the US, voter turnout averages 60 percent in national elections. In other words, only 60 percent of those who are eligible to vote actually cast their ballot. But this figure varies from state to state, as shown by the 2012 national elections. In Oregon, for instance, 64.2 percent of voters turned out compared with only 49.6 percent in Texas.
Compared with Australia, voter turnout in the US is relatively low. In the 2014 Australian elections, for example, voter turnout was much higher than in the US: it reached 88.5 percent. It is perhaps worth noting that Australia operates a policy of compulsory voting, which likely accounts for such high levels of voter turnout.
In the US, the introduction of the Australian ballot system (in which votes are cast secretly) and the passing of the Motor Voter Act of 1993 (in which people can register to vote at certain state motor vehicle agencies) has not had a significant effect on voter turnout. While the Motor Voter Act did cause an increase in the number of people who registered to vote, voter turnout actually decreased by five percent between the 1992 and 1996 elections.
Because these voting reforms have not increased voter turnout, it might be suggested that voter apathy and a general dissatisfaction with politics are the real culprits. Only by addressing these issues with the voting population can voter turnout be expected to increase.

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