Voter Apathy
Voter Apathy
Imagine that you live in a country where a dictator or the state controls your every move. You can't speak your mind out of fear of being imprisoned—worse yet, executed for your political beliefs if they differ from those in power. Basically, you have no rights as a citizen. You desperately want to make changes, but you can't—you have no control. All control is in the hands of a tyrant or tyrannical state.
As Americans, we don't have to worry about being thrown in jail just because we disagree with the president or other government officials. As Americans, we have basic freedoms because we live in a democratic society. We have political freedom—the right to vote as defined by our electoral process. Voting is inherent to the electoral process; for it to work, we must vote. The main reason why people don't vote anyhow is just because they know that the government does not care about one vote, but if many people take a stand and vote, maybe the government will start to listen. If the government listens, more of what matters to everyday citizens will get out to the public, and to the nations capital, and something will be done to better the society we call America today.
As Americans, we must do something about voter apathy because not only does voting allow us to be active in the political process, it enables us to fulfill our civic duty and exert our political influence. Contrary to public opinion, every vote makes a difference in this process. It may not seem like it, but if more people began to vote, they would get noticed.
To let our representatives know what we want, we must also exert our political influence by being politically active. How can we do this? We can vote in state, local, and national elections, lobby to persuade our representatives to vote a certain way, and write letters to our representatives about policy issues. Of course, there are other ways of being politically active; to me, these are the most effective. One thing needs to take place, and that is change, pure and simple.
I feel as though the government needs to allow teenagers to vote on how things affect their lives. If the government lowers the voting age to 18 more important issues will come out about high school violence, and other important issues.
"Miller light and bud light…either way you end up with a mighty weak beer!" This is how Jim Hightower (a Texan populist speaker) described the choices that the U.S. electorate had in the 2000 elections. This insinuates that there is a clear lack of distinction between the parties. Along with numerous others, this is one of the reasons why the turnout is so low in the U.S. elections. In trying to explain the low figures at the U.S. elections, analysts have called American voters apathetic to indifferent to downright lazy. I disagree that the 50% (in recent elections) of voters that fail to turnout to vote are lazy and that they have just reason not too. I will also show that the problem lies within the system itself in that the institutional arrangements, electoral and governmental, do not create an environment that is conducive to mass participation. I will address these main issues and several others that have an effect on voter participation. In doing so I will compare America to other established democracies.
... equal system. The lower age could also encourage and interest youth much more in political processes and parties as now they would actually be able to impact the way they are governed and who is governing them. Politics would be much more noticeable in schools and the general knowledge of politics and the political process would drastically increase. The youth would also be more likely to develop earlier the skills and potentials needed in later life politically and even socially. In conclusion when all is said and done I, personally would like to say the voting age lowered to sixteen for many of the reasons above. There will be many people opposing this movement but I think it is time for the youth of Canada to be heard and if they wish they should have the opportunity to vote and express their opinions and choices.
The United States national elections have been experiencing a steady decline of eligible voters showing up to vote. This steady decline has been ongoing since experiencing a significant increase in voter turnout from 1948 through 1960. Over the years there has been significant, meticulous research done to try to pinpoint the cause of the decline in voter turnout over years. All of this research has led to the production of an enormous number of literatures written on the perceived causes. The vast amount of literature produced has led to a number of competing explanations about this decline. The quest for the answer to the question of, why this decline in voter turnout, is very important for an overwhelming majority of Americans and our democratic system because the people/voters can only truly be represented by our government if all eligible voters go out and vote. For this paper I will examine four theories that attempt to explain the decline. The four theories that I will discuss are voting barriers, campaign contributions, negative campaign advertising, and finally the cultural explanation. However, through thorough exploration and critiques of the strengths and weaknesses of these four theories, we will find that the cultural explanation theory is currently the most persuasive theory in the group. Finally, I will also explore some reasons as to why citizens do vote as well.
...er to understand why voter turnout is so low. As a society we must take into consideration all of these and find ways to promote higher turnout rates, whether it be through social reform programs to increase citizens socioeconomic status, more education, better political environments at the home and community level, or less restrictions on voting. In order for our society to effectively and efficiently function we must participate in our democratic system at higher percentages than an average participation of roughly 40 percent.
The biggest factor that turns people away from voting is the feeling of ineffectuality. Based on an article from September 1999 in The Maneater, students feel as if voting won't make a difference. "I don't vote because I can't make a big difference, even though they say I can," junior Jack Weatherman said. "Even my political science teacher said one person can't change things" (http://www.themaneater.com/1999/09/21/news/apathy.html). Unless society and politicians show the world that every vote counts, and everybody can make a difference this feeling will always remain. People need to understand that if every single person tries to make a difference, then the combination of everyone's efforts will make a difference. The important thing to remember is that it takes the effort of the individual to give strength to the power of the whole.
This sense of disinterestedness among individuals in the country speaks to the challenging relationship between citizens and policy-makers. This essay has focused on how political alienation, civic education, and institutions have played a role in why citizens don’t vote. The question itself – why don’t people vote – is complex and extends further than the themes outlined above; however, it does illustrate the reality that political engagement among citizens has significantly decreased. Addressing the challenges that face the nation may implore Canadians to re-evaluate their level of engagement in national affairs, and re-think why their participation matters. It extends far beyond a checkmark on a ballot, and should not be taken lightly.
Today in America, less than half of young voters between the ages of 18 and 24 vote (TheBestColleges.org). What most of these new adults fail to realize, is that their government depends on them to vote and elect new leaders to represent their country. Many of them make excuses to avoid voting, when really, they benefit most from voting.
Look at other countries that don’t have the freedoms the U.S has. It’s a great and rare opportunity to be heard and respected by one’s country, but only by voicing individual views through voting can a democracy function. As Walter H. Judd said, “People often say that, in a democracy, decisions are made by a majority of the people. Of course, this is not true. Decisions are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who v...
Voter turnout has been declining in the United States throughout history through the potential voters’ personal choice not to vote and ineligibility. According to research a large percentage of individuals are not voting because political parties fail to appeal to the voters and this leads to the voting population losing interest in the campaign, while others postpone registering and by the time they realize their delay the election is upon them.
Without citizens voting, voices cannot be heard, and, “We…know that the level of voter population has been declining steadily since the early 1960s” (Austin Ramney p. 91). Participation has continued to decrease over the past several decades and due to lack of voting, there is a lack of diverse opinion that could ultimately aid the country in a better direction. Of this grouping of people it has been said that five categories make up this population: chronic nonvoters (often come from families who have never voted), those who believe they have no real say in government decisions, the young, the ones who feel intimidated by the voting process, and the ones who simply do not care (Curtis B. Gans). Blatantly, the first ...
The United States has never required its citizens to vote in midterm and general elections. Because of that, America’s voter turnout has never been significantly high. Within the past 50 years, the presidential election has never exceeded 65%, while midterm elections have never exceeded 50% (Hudson 144). In fact, the 2014 midterm election had the smallest voter turnout since World War II. One reason of why there is a relatively low voter turnout for elections is the lack of motivation. Some citizens may think their voice may not have a significant impact in the Electoral College system, so they don’t participate at all. However,
I think that the legal age of voting should be age 21 and older because when they are at least 21 they are able to make good decisions and choose which one would be the best President. When they are at age 21 they are at the drinking age legally. And that means that they can make big decisions and be responsible and they should be the ones to be to vote.
We all have these wonderful definitions of freedom and democracy being these great things that mean that we are actually involved and play a role in our government, but freedom can be scary and dangerous. Even here in the land of the free, America, where a sizable portion of the people’s ancestors had freedom handed to them one hundred and fifty years ago, have yet to learn how to handle it. A century and a half later they still require help from the government that freed them. Being free is not easy.
The American voting turnout is incredibly below other developed democracies. This is becoming a huge problem. Not just because the majority of people are not voting, but because the majority of people are unrepresented. The people who are choosing not to be represented are moderates which are necessary for to maintain the political balance and avoid gridlocks in the government. They choose not to to vote because they feel apathetic to the issues that are being discussed. We have a issues based way of campaigning in America and we tend focus on only a select few issues like abortion or gay rights. Those who are not worried about the specific issues don't vote because they feel that these are the only points of concern.We need to step away from
As Americans, we are fortuitous to have all the rights freedoms we do. We are also fortunate enough to have laws and documents such as the Constitution or the Bill of Rights securing these rights. We are also lucky enough to live in a country where we have a president, the Senate, and the House instead of a single powerful king. These rights and freedoms are the reason we call America “the land of the free”.