However, given what we know about voter demographics and turnout in the United States during "mid-term" elections (low turnout among young people, with much "green field" to expand into)... it's clearly an attempt to influence the election, in the favor of Google shareholders' interest.

I'd cite references, but they are too easy to Google (heh).

It's a shovel all right.

(PS -- don't get me wrong or reflexively downvote me for perceived partisanship -- my party interests align with Google's in this matter, outside of anti-trust issues)

EDIT: to add, Google ran no such Doodle for National Voter Registration day last year, according to their archives. HMMMMM.