This only describes the effect, but not the cause. I'm convinced voting is a magic trick that you perform on yourself, the ritual itself, is the thing that actually causes this effect. A non voter is free to antagonize or withhold belief on any topic he chooses. A federal voter is loyal and true no matter what. Further, a non voter is free to vote 365 days a year with his thought, words, and action. A federal voter typically only votes 1 day per year and goes back to becoming a ineffectual consumer for 4 more years. After some time, voters come to rely on the news, to provide them with some excuse for the continued support of their team. Like a heroin addict who needs a fix. To an outsider it makes no sense that anyone would continue heroin. They say "hey, why don't you just stop doing heroin? It doesn't make sense." The voter can't help it