Voting is an essential element within American societal norm. Not only does it represent the values of representative government but it also provides a check against tyrannical power. These benefits of voting are only as strong as the overall voting turnout. Historically, voter turnout has been historically been between % and 60%. The exception was the most recent election where voter turnout was 67%. The higher turnout can be attributed to a much polarizing and contentious political environment. This, based on the historical figures appears to be an anomaly. The low historic turnout, appears to have its roots in a litany of sources. Some simply believe their vote doesnt matter. Others believe that the voting system itself is rigged for a particular outcome. Still others believe that the wealthy have too much power in the election and therefore skew media and advertising to fit their own political agenda. Irrespective of the negative sentiments towards voting it is still a very important element of American society, requiring all who are eligible to participate.
Voting matters as it allows society and constituencies to have their voice heard in a civilized and orderly manner. This is a form of representative government that helps prevent...
…as a whole as oppose to certain ideologies. Voting serves as a means of showcasing the power of democracy and freedom to the world. This concept is very important as many nations in the world do not enjoy many of the freedoms to vote that Americans do. In fact, many are constantly at war simply to allow women to have equal rights as men. By demonstrating the power of voting and its implication for society, Americans can continue to be a beacon of hope for those around that world who do not have the benefit of voting. This ultimately helps to…
references (p. [155]-157) and index. ISBN: 0275937801; 0275938719 (pbk). LCCN: 90049220.
Voting Behavior Suffrage is an integral component of every American citizen's democratic rights and the law has given it top priority. But realities such as the difficulties encountered from the registration phase to the voting phase, emphasis on registration as a bureaucratic task, predispositions, election-specific forces and other determinants of participation have resulted in unclear and inconsistent pattern of voting behavior and inconclusive turnout and voting choices. Political scientists and thinkers
Even in the 2008 general election, which had widely-touted voter turnout, a number of eligible people did not vote. Michael McDonald engaged in a complex study, which not only looked at people in the population who were age-eligible for voting, but also looked at the number of people who were not otherwise disenfranchised, such as felons or foreign nationals. He found an overall turnout rate of truly eligible people
Ethnic groups such as Black people and Hispanics, and also women, had to fight for their right to vote. The many fighters who suffered and died during these struggles should be honored by using the rights that they won. It is not a right that should be taken for granted. The news is filled with reports about countries where the right to vote is almost mythical. Women are oppressed, ethnic
Voting According to recent statistics, America has among the lowest voter turnout of any democracy in the world based on participation in presidential and mid-term elections (Anderson, 2000). According to the Committee for the Study of the American Electorate (CSAE) over the last three decades, voter turnout has declined dramatically resulting in a series of historic lows. One of the main reasons for this sad decline in voter turnout is the
Voting Rights History of Voting Rights in the United States and African-American Struggle The ultimate end of all freedom is the enjoyment of a right of free suffrage. "A WATCHMAN," Maryland Gazette, 1776 (qtd. In Keyssar 8) Voting is the most important process that allows the general public to communicate or refuse to give consent. During the mid-1770s, an innovative epoch began when Americans challenged the Britain's right to rule the colonies. The American
S. House of Representatives from that state. Why set up a presidential election in which voters do not directly elect the president? Welch (32) explains that the founders devised this system "…because of their view that the people could not be trusted. The people were seen as an unruly mob threatening stable, orderly government," she continued. Even after Gore successfully petitioned the Florida Supreme Court to have election officials count
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