If “no important policy differences separated the two major parties” i

If “no important policy differences separated the two major parties” in the Gilded Age, as the text authors claim, why was there a continuously high voter turnout at elections?

What will be an ideal response?

ANSWER
Party leadership devoted its energies and skills to campaign electioneering–getting out the vote. Not issue oriented, the parties were well-oiled political machines skilled at organizing and mobilizing voters. Elections were entertaining, and both parties roused the voters’ enthusiasm and eagerness to participate. Also, there were patronage rewards for those who supported the winning candidates.