Causes Of Low Voter Turnout Essay

In recent years, “requirements for photo identification have been hotly debated” (Drew A16). There are many different views of both political parties. While mostly Democrats are opposed to these laws, the main proponents who have been promoting voter-ID requirements are Republican state lawmakers claiming that they are needed to help prevent voter fraud. “Republicans say that large jumps in the immigrant population have also prompted them to act to safeguard elections” (Lizette A1). In other words, Republicans are claiming that fraudulent voting is an issue in the electoral process and having to provide further identification such as a photo ID is a solution.

This could be an opportunity for a case for fraud, since ID is not required or put in a data for this purpose. By the same token, disabled individual who are registered, should have a representative from the election committee to come their home, sign an affidavit and allow them to cast their vote at that time. Reason being anyone could pretend to be that individual. This should be an issue that concerns both parties. I am not quite sure of any other ways that fraud could be prevented.

Recently, state-issued photo ID has been required in order vote since the law passed in the Texas legislature. This law has caused controversy as it brings up the question over the state’s power in the regulation of elections. “While pending review within the judicial system, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion in Shelby County v. Holder, which effectively ended all pending litigation. As a result, voters are now required to present an approved form of photo identification in order to vote in all Texas Elections” (votetexas.gov). The U.S. Supreme Court struck down on Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in the Shelby County v. Holder case.

The voter turnout impact is huge because it determines who gets elected. The numbers seen seem to indicated that only white people care about voting or at least care more. The thing is how do we educate the masses to understand why their vote matters for each level. Those things do not get taught unfortunately, they say being ignorant of the law does not make you outside the law. I still say how do we know

The main purpose of the voter ID law is to prevent voter fraud and it has yet to be a big issue. Since there has been no problems, I assume that there has been some sort of leeway happening in the registration process. One of the main forms of leeway could be the fact that we have the option of 7 different types of identification that could be presented in order to vote. And not only that, but we have the right to submit provisional votes as well until we show some sort of ID to match our registration

Many politicians blame the 2011 Texas Voter ID Law as the cause for many of the issues with voter turnout. This law states which forms of photo identification can be used at the voting booths and some say it violates the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination to

The serious lack of voter turnout contradicts this responsibility. There are individuals who speculate that it would be beneficial to make voting mandatory, with repercussions for those who do not vote. At the beginning of the course, I had believed that voting should be made mandatory. I thought that it would inspire people to vote, and would increase the numbers of turnout that way.

First, a current photo ID will be required to vote. This could be a driver 's license, US passport, military ID card, or any photo ID issued by a government agency. For anyone without an acceptable photo ID, free voter ID cards will be offered at local government offices like the DMV or a county office. To get a voter ID card, the applicant must bring their social security card to the office and fill out a voter ID application.

This unfamiliarity and thought of the process being confusing deters the younger people from registering to vote in the first place. By removing this process, voters can just show up to cast their votes and move on with their day without worrying about this potentially confusing process. These three methods combined could increase the voter turnout for each

Voter identification laws have ben around since the 1950’s. South Carolina was the first state to require some kind of identification at the polls. No photo was require, just a document bearing the voters name. The first five state to establish a voter identification law were South Carolina, Hawaii, Texas, Florida, and Alaska. Since 2000, more and more states are getting stricter with their voter identification laws.

“ While compulsion of any kind is a restriction, so is the compulsion to drive only on the right side of the road.” ( “Is It Time To Consider Mandatory Voting Laws? Worsening Voting Statistics Make a Strong Case.” by John W. Dean.) One way voter turnout can increase is by compulsory (required) voting.

Voter ID laws are meant to control cases of voter fraud according to Professor Justin Levitt, from Loyola Law School, discovered, “there were only 31 incidents of the type of voter fraud that could have been prevented by voter ID laws...”. Voters may think voter ID laws are an exaggeration, but it is not considering it secures every vote and verifies if the person is eligible to vote. Everyone is eligible to vote should have a form of ID since IDs are asked for throughout the day. Voter ID laws do not burden the minority for there are other ways of receiving an ID. Seniors, individual older than 60, receive a free ID at the DMV and it last much more longer.

It is clear that American voters tend to avoid local elections and off-year elections. Run-off elections are also likely to register lower voter turnout as compared to first-round elections. The larger the gap between first round elections and run-off elections, the higher the decline in voter turnout. Moreover, there are lower percentages of young people voting as compared to the older population. This is an important point to note since it highlights that young people do not have information guiding them on the importance of voting.

Everyone has the right to vote, but many don’t take that opportunity. In the article “Should Voting Be Mandatory?” Eric Liu tells us that “mandatory voting would prompt more Americans to pay attention to the choices;” people usually never pay attention to their choices, and then complain about it later when everything has already happened. (Par 5). Mandatory voting means that every citizen of the age of 18 and above that has a right to vote must vote.

The right to vote was a privilege given to only a particular group of people in the past. The right to participate in the judicial system to some is an honor. This process allows people to voice and chose who they want in office or what issue they want to support. Voter Id laws are incorporated into our society as a form of control in order to keep people silent. Voter id laws are under controversy because the law is viewed as being discriminatory against minorities.