Final answer:
The 'ignorant vote' by Thomas Nast relates to voters staying uninformed and not participating in elections, which is explained by the rational ignorance theory and ties into special interest politics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term “the ignorant vote” coined by Thomas Nast refers to a concept linked to special interest politics and the rational ignorance theory. According to this theory, some voters might not engage with political issues or participate in elections because they believe their single vote will not have a significant impact on the election's outcome. Consequently, due to this perception, they may remain uninformed and abstain from voting, which is a contributing factor to low voter turnout in the United States.