Rational ignorance

Rational ignorance is the theory that rational people won't bother incurring the costs of becoming informed and voting because they know that their vote won't be decisive in the election.

Definition

According to Principles of Economics by Timothy Taylor (3rd edition),

Rational ignorance. The theory that rational people won't bother incurring the costs of becoming informed and voting because they know that their vote won't be decisive in the election.