Voter turnout in the US has been in decline for many years. It is the result of a wide variety of reasons, one of which is the disenchantment of the voter with the political system today. This seems odd, in that the only way to change the system is to get out and vote and replace the current politicians with new ones that will hopefully be able to conduct business and have a little less partisan politics. The voter turnout does tend to go up every four years when the presidential election occurs. This seems to interest voters to become more involved in the political process. This particular presidential election cycle has shown to be unique. The Trump factor as it has become known has dramatically increased voter registrations. Some …show more content…
In the Bush verses Kerry election the participation was around 60 %, one of the highest rates in recent elections. It will be interesting to see the voter turnout this cycle with prospective matchup of Clinton vs Trump.
Socioeconomic factors such as education have shown to have an effect on voter turnout. The more education one has the more likely they are to be involved in the process and vote. Wealth also plays a role in turnout. The wealthy regardless of education have a higher rate of voting. The poor, uneducated and the youth have shown to have less voting rates.
The voting process itself has an effect on turnout. In the US voters must register to vote, this has been helped with the passage of the motor voter law or the National Voter registration Act of 1993 which allowed voters to register at state Motor Vehicle registration offices. This was passed in an effort to stop the decline in voter turnout. The requirement in many states for individuals to have an ID has in some areas caused a person to not vote. It has made voter fraud much harder. Another is the use of absentee ballots. This has allowed many citizens the opportunity to vote especially service men and women who are station overseas. The early voting in many states has also led to an increase in voter turnout, making it more convenient to vote and eliminate the waiting in lines on Election Day. At some point internet
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In this current cycle, Trump has indicated he is self-funding his campaign in order to be free from owing anything to the lobbyists and political action groups. He has touted this throughout the primary season. He has indicated that he will have to take some money in order to be successful in the general election. Democrat Sanders has made a big deal out of the fact that his campaign has been funded by a movement. Individual donors have donated 27 dollars individually to his campaign and he too has not accepted money from Wall Street. Whatever the current stance of the candidates are, presidential elections cost money. In 1757 George Washington spent 195 dollars on food and drinks to win the Virginia House of Burgess. The practice of using money, food and gifts to influence elections have been outlawed in all states. Each state and the federal government have rules and laws covering campaign finance. The biggest rule is disclosure. All campaigns must disclose what funds are used for and who provided those funds. One of the most continuous issues concerning campaigns is the ability to limit the amounts that can be given to a campaign. The most famous case was Citizens United v Federal Elections Commission. The FEC tried to regulate and limit the amount of money a corporation, PAC’s, or unions used in election communications. Chief Justice Roberts on behalf of the majority struck down previous rulings that had sought to
Voter ID laws are two sided, but most Americans feel that it is necessary to prevent voter fraud. Republicans feel that an individual should already have a state ID because this is required by so many government agencies. Unfortunately, the Democrats are the ones to be most likely affected due to their voters’ economic status, disabilities and age. Whereas, Democrats believe that it is a tactic to defer their supporters from voting.
Despite encouragement from high profile politicians, like former President Barack Obama, as well as other celebrities to encourage people to go out and vote, recent elections resulting in the electoral college overriding popular vote have people losing faith in the
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
There are a number of differences in the demographics between the ones that are and are not politically involved. Older people tend to vote more than the younger people by their concern toward the government, as well as the number of white Americans voting more than the other minority races would. The educated will vote more than the uneducated by having more knowledge of the election, along with families with higher income of over $65,000 having time to vote than the low income ones of $35,000 or under. The ones who shows party identification would want to get involved in politics, whereas independent individual would not care as much. People who grew up with specific ideology would want to have a say in politics, in contrast to those who did not.
Days before Election Day we can’t know who will win the presidency. But we can know with near certainty that voter turnout will be abysmal and that the results will be not so much a mandate as a skewed sampling of about half the electorate. Many reforms could increase turnout, from same-day registration to voting on weekends. But the most basic is also the most appropriate: making voting mandatory. Here’s why.
The concept of voter turnout is simply the total number of people that voted in a given election. The number of people that show up to vote during a given election is usually compared to two metrics, VAP and VEP. Voting Age Population takes into consideration all people that are older than the voting age in a given area, which is 18 years old in the United States. Voter Eligible Population uses the VAP and subtracts those over the age of 18 that aren’t eligible to vote, which includes and noncitizens and felons. VEP also includes American citizens that are overseas at the time of the election.
In the world of politics, voting is one of the most vital aspects to politicians, the local community, and the state. It gives the people who live in the communities a chance to let their voice and opinions be heard through their choice of who they want to represent them in political office or to take care of their town or city. Although many share this opinion, there are people who do not care to vote and do not get involved in politics. What is the underlying reason for this group of people to distance themselves from political affairs? Registering to vote can be a deterrent for many people because it requires effort to file all the correct paperwork and stay in good standing, which may be the cause for low voter turnout within Texas.
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.
Others argue that it helps to protect everyone’s right to vote and ensure that no one takes someone else’s right. There is a way to make sure everyone is able to vote but their vote is also protected from
The United States currently faces a severe problem with one of their governmental processes. In the democratic system of the United States, politicians are elected by voting from the citizens, in most cases. The problem the United States is facing is that people are no longer voting in elections for officials. This problem is discussed in the article, “In praise of low voter turnout”, written by Charles Krauthammer. The main idea behind this article is that voters are no longer interested in politics, as they were in previous generations.
The percentage voting also varies on what office election is being held. Many people come out for the presidential election because there is more media coverage on the election. People are made more aware of who the candidates are and there positions on certain issues, which encourages people to go out and vote, heavily Democratic in Assemblywoman Solages’ district. In local elections, people pay more attention to the election if there is an open seat rather than an incumbent running. It is obvious that if an incumbent is running, people will naturally re-cast their vote for that candidate.
“ 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.
However, one of the key characteristics of a healthy democracy is a high voter-turnout. If people do not turn up on Election Day, it is likely that they do not see the point of holding elections or the conditions are not suitable for them to vote. People vote because they believe that their vote has the power to make changes in the country. Voter apathy often develops when voters do not see voting as a way of voicing their concerns. America therefore continues to tread on risky ground, if a way of increasing voter turnout is not found.
Throughout the recent years the majority of the able voting population are exercising their privilege to vote. Even during the presidential elections the voter turnout rate was 50% or less than that. The act of voting should be a personal responsibility of every citizen meaning it should be a obligation. But to specify on this statement, it should not lawfully required to vote because people also have the right not to vote too (and it would be weakening personal liberties) , but it should be a personal responsibility for citizens if they are to complain about how the government run rather than every citizen. A personal responsibility is when we are the cause of our own actions.
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.