Former President Richard M. Nexon declined an invitation to the conference citing a conflicting engagement. Gottlieb added Still he noted the assemblage of chief executives will be the largest since Regan and the three former Presidents gathered last spring to celebrate the birthday of retired Admiral Hyman G. Rickover.

Is It Safe?

Several conference participants and organizers were unwilling yesterday to predict how successful they might be in actually countering the apparent drop in voter interest.

But, thwy said, the upcomming meetings would at least help formulate a plan to increase voting that could he pursued on a variety of levels within government--through legislation and through intensive publicity campaigns Some efforts would be aimed at the 1984 presidential elections, they added.

"It's serious public policy problem," Verba said last night. "The steady decline in turnout can definitely be thought of as having bad consequences for American democracy."

Together with Orren--who declined to comment yesterday--Verba is authoring a background paper for the conferees on the history of voting turnout, as well as possible means for changing recent patterns,

As an example of the suggestions that might result from the conference, Verba cited potential reforms in voting laws that currently force Americans to "mobilize twice"--once to register, and a second time, months later, to cast ballots. He asked that many foreign countries take care of both steps at ruled and enjoy for greater levels of voter turnout than witnessed in the United States.

"One can't dream up a simple remedy," Verba added saying of the conference however, that "It does strike me as bringing together a bunch of heavyweights who could have an impact,"

The participants were selected, officials said, according to their potential ability to bring about whatever changes might be decided upon by the conference's end. The former Presidents, officials have said, bring with them an unusual experience as veterans of major campaigns in which gaining voter attention was a key concern.

Among the topics scheduled for discussion are: the issue of moving national election day from Tuesday to Sunday; methods for improving voter registration; the effect of the media on election night and during the campaign equal time" provisions that limit the freedom of broadcasters to exclude certain candidates and events from coverage whether simultaneous" poll closings or a 24 hour voting day would be beneficial and how to better motivate citizens to vote at all