registration to be a voter

registration to be a voter

There are millions of persons who are legible to vote but won’t vote primarily because the registration to be a voter takes a lot of work. In some nations across the globe, being registered to be a voter is automatic since when one is a citizen, he or she is signed up to be a voter (Fraga, pp30). However, in other nations like the United States, it is the responsibility of every individual to register to be a voter. For instance, in the United States, one has to go to the official like a government office or library and fill up the required paperwork. It is very tiresome, especially for millennials who are used to doing a majority of their things instantly. In recent years, politicians have tried to sensitize Americans to register and turn out during elections to vote. Still, the measures put in place, such as voting before the election day have not appealed to the young generation.

Also, the lack of education on the importance of voting is one of the reasons why persons don’t vote. There are a significant number of persons who are not interested in politics and don’t have friends who care about politics. Therefore, they don’t know that their vote is essential when it comes to electing leaders who will help develop the type of nation that want. The lack of knowledge among these persons makes them see voting as something insignificant (Fraga, pp31). Moreover, a good number of persons don’t vote for individuals but parties for instance, in the united states people vote for either the Republican Party or Democratic Party despite other political parties such as the Green Party existing. It means that if a person doesn’t support one of the major political parties, they opt not to vote since they believe that they are wasting their time. Finally, some persons don’t vote because of apathy and burnout. Some persons don’t care about politics, and this leads to voter apathy. To these persons, they believe that no single vote has changed an election, and their previous efforts to vote were not fruitful. Also, some individuals don’t vote because they are angry at the government not only because of the complicated voting system but also because of how governments treat their persons.

2Q: Interview two people about their voting habits. Courteously, ask them about if they voted in the last few elections. What motivated them to vote or not to vote? What do they remember about the experience of voting? Are there any suggestions they have to make it more likely that they would vote in the next election? (One or two paragraphs, 25 pts)

The two interviewees were a 25-year-old lady who studies in a community college and works part-time and a 70-year-old man who is a retired businessman. For the 25-year-old, she voted in the 2016 election only, and the 70-year-old man has participated in the previous five elections. The 70-year-old man is a member of a political party and is always proud to vote for his party in any election. He believes in party values and trusts that when he votes, he is helping his nation to remain a Christian nation that respects Christian values (Patton, pp172). Further, he enjoys voting every time but would like for the government to allow the elderly to vote from the comfort of their home because some of them find it challenging to get to voting stations. Also, he said that as long as he is alive, he will vote for his party since it is a great joy to see a Cristian man take the mantle of the country that he loves so much.

Additionally, for the 25-year-old woman, the campaign done by the government and various political parties to encourage young persons to vote is what made her registered as a voter and go out to play. She wanted to change, especially when it comes to education and health policies in the country. For instance, she wanted healthcare made cheaper for all persons and the repayment of education loans to be relaxed (Patton, pp173). According to her, the experience of voting was not good since she queued for so long and almost gave up. Therefore, the voter wants the government to introduce digital voting, which can allow persons to vote from the comfort of their home. Further, she believes that with digital voting, there will be more voter turnout. Likewise, she is disappointed with persons she voted in because she thinks that they have not acted on their campaign promises. The health and education policies she expected to be passed have not been even developed, and she is not sure if she will vote in the next election. She thinks that she will vote if a political leader confirms that he or she will implement the change she needs in society.

3Q: Read the article by William Galston suggesting that voting be a requirement, as it is in many democratic countries: See “Telling Americans to Vote, or Else” (Links to an external site.) in The New York Times. Summarize the article and discuss your opinion in a few paragraphs. (50 pts)

In the United States, jury duty is mandatory, but voting is voluntary since making voting voluntary encourage public trust in the governing institutions and enhances the country’s capacity for self-government (William A. Galston). Also, mandatory voting will not work in America since it has an individualistic and libertarian political culture, and this means that compulsory voting can be easily dismissed as statism. Without a doubt, compulsory voting works in democracies such as Australia, and it is primarily aimed at reducing the voter turnout. However, the Australian government considers that those persons who are sick or away on foreign travel cannot vote. Moreover, some encourage the US to develop policies that will ensure mandatory voting primarily to ensure strong citizenship. Presently, the American citizen is strong on rights, but weak on obligations since very little is required of a citizen (William A. Galston). This, there is a need to require persons to participate in elections. Additionally, mandatory voting is democratic, and as a democracy, the US is supposed to take into account the interests and views of all citizens. It means that compulsory voting helps in evening out the disparities that stem from income, education and age, and this augments a country’s inclusiveness. Finally mandatory voting aids in decreasing polarization that is currently high in the United States

In summary, currently, so many persons have lost hope in the voting system of the United States because of various issues such as a candidate losing the popular vote but going on to be the president because he or she has won the Electoral College vote. According to many, this means it is the college system and not the people that choose the president. Therefore, mandatory voting cannot be successful in the United States since people will feel that their constitutional right to expression is being taken away. The United States needs to have on other voting reforms such as abolishing the Electoral College system and making sure that every vote counts. If Americans see that their votes are what determine the leader, the voter turnout will automatically increase since their faith in the voting system will be enhanced. Also, a lot of education has to be done about the importance of voting. Most of the persons who don’t vote are because they lack the necessary information to make the right decision. Finally, the voting infrastructure has to be enhanced to make sure that voters don’t find it challenging to exercise their right.