The people shake their heads and wave their fingers in disapproval towards the government from local levels to national levels--mimes of America. These mimes act out their opinion rather than using their voice to declare what they want. Pretending to perform action rather than completing action, these mimes dissimulate so they do not feel excluded. America is blessed with the opportunity to live in a country endowed with such great freedoms. In the United States, the basic freedoms for voting are often taken for granted and unutilized by many Americans, especially Texans. Despite the large size of Texas, the historic background of voting and other factors have caused the state to experience low voter turnout.
Voter turnout, according to the text, “. . .means the portion of the eligible citizens who actually cast ballots--not the portion of those registered, . . . (142).” Data reveals that the voter turnout of Texas is relatively lower than that of the United States as a whole. During presidential elections, voter turnout is higher than that of state and local elections. For example, the text states that in the 2008 presidential balloting, Texas voter turnout was about eight percentage points below the national turnout level(142). However, the voter turnout of the United States compared to that of other countries is lower than the global level. In a graph presented for voter turnout rate of registered voters, the United States is located on the bottom of the list. From U.S News, Flock states,“The U.S has one of the lowest voter turnout rates of any rich democracy in the world(Flock).” Factors that influence voting around the world, for example, may be the choice to submit a vote online, such as in India, rather than going into a v...
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...t be fully represented if the culture of low voter turnout continues. Mimes of America should utilize the opportunity provided through the fight of voter suffrage to voice their opinion. A change to appreciate and employ oneself to voting is the start of a positive voter turnout culture. Wipe off the white make up and break the vow of silence mimes of America, this country needs you.
Works Cited
Flock, Elizabeth. "Five Charts That Show How Our Democracy Isn't Working." US News. U.S.News & World Report, 18 June 2012. Web. 30 Nov. 2013. .
Newell, Prindle, Riddlesperger, Donovan, Smith, and Mooney. "The Constitutional Setting." Texas Politics. Custom CTC Edition ed. Wadsworth: Cengage Learning, 2013. 38-66. Print.
Schiller, W. J., Geer, J. G., & Segal, J. A. (2013). Gateways to democracy: introduction to American government, the essentials. (2nd ed.). Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth ;.
Voter Suppression's New Pretext. the New York Times 16 November 2013: A- 19. Print. The.
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.
Hudson, William E. American Democracy in Peril: Eight Challenges to America's Future. Washington, DC: CQ, 2010. Print.
Adding this all up, I have concluded that the United States democracy is unhealthy, yet I still believe there is hope. If I had to give the current condition of democracy a letter grade, I would give it a C. I got this grade because even though the United States maintains many civil right and liberties, a strong number of interest groups, and diverse political parties, it just isn’t enough to carry the poor conditions of ideologies, voter turnout, education, economics, and media. Democracy is surly not thriving in America, but at this point, there is still hope.
Hudson, William E. American Democracy in Peril: Eight Challenges to America’s Future – Fourth Edition. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press, 2004.
If we imagine how voter turnout used to be in the later elections back then, it was nothing compared to how they are today. For example, if we examine the 2004 and 2008 election. We can conclude that the voter turnout in the 2004 election was greatly impressive. Altogether, Bush received around 62,000,000 votes. Why? because people actually came out to vote during this election and he even had a 6.4% higher numbers than in 2000. The 2008 election, we can see a higher voter turnout among African Americans particularly young voters. For example, compared to the 2004 election, a record 55.4% of blacks voted in 2008 than 47.1% in 2004 between the ages of 18-24. Between 25-44 years old, 64% of blacks voted in 2008 while 59.3% voted for Bush in 2004.
Voting is one of the citizens’ rights living in a country. In the past, not everyone can vote. Voting used to be for only white American men. However, our ancestors fought for that rights. Eventually, any American who are older than eighteen can vote, despite their race or gender. In addition, voter turnout is used to keep track of the voting. It is the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election. Unfortunately, the voter turnout has been decreasing over time, and it means that there are less and fewer people who actually show up and vote. This essay will discuss the voter turnout in Harris County, Texas.
Thus, inactivity in voting threatens the very legitimacy of our government. In the recent November 7, 2013 midterm election, a few counties reported a mere 4% of eligible voters actually participated, in some cases, in voting for a policy referendum that would affect how millions of dollars would be spent in the coming years.... ... middle of paper ... ...
... who are eligible of voting should get out there and vote. We fought to expand suffrage, and now we must show the government we are capable of voting.
In Texas, there have been many concerns about voting and elections due to political changes in recent decade. Just like other Americans, Texas displays many of the same voting tendencies. It is important that one participate in the political process, political participation incorporates how citizens influence the selection of issues they are interested or political leaders. “Citizen’s actions are intended to solve public problems through political means” (American). Political participation is more than just pertaining to a certain party. Individuals can become involved in certain phases of the electoral process by participating in politics in many ways, either by voting, campaigning for candidates, and writing to their legislators. The media also plays a huge part in providing avenues for political participation.
Silent, nonpresent citizens hinder the progress of a democracy and government. When their voices are not represented, they lessen the effectiveness of democracy, which is literally a government of many. A government cannot represent an unheard voice, and in democracy, the vocal chords of a population is the voting booth. In former President Obama’s commencement speech to Howard University in 2016, he encouraged the students that voting “when it is cool” will not make a voice apparent. Obama stated that voting diligently and contacting local and statewide representatives is the way to initiate change and project a
Understand American voter turnout rates from a historical point of view. There are several near and chronicled riddles of political investment. Keeping in mind the end goal to perform this, the pool of qualified voters. In this way, the voting methods and the political conditions including the races in a given period ought to be tended to. One relative confuses represent the way that America's voter turnout lingers a great distance behind different vote based systems. Reasons may incorporate America's individual enlistment necessity, which makes it awkward for residents to enlist to vote. Various components may incorporate voter weakness majority choices and the two-party framework. The United States maintains significant amounts of nonvoting
In Texas, there are more than 600,000 people who are eligible to vote but have no acceptable form of identification (Fernandez, Wise). Texas first implemented their photo identification laws in 2013 and since then voter turn-out has been reduced and elections have been swayed. Take Mr. Pete Gallegos, for example, who attempted to regain his congressional seat but narrowly lost in 2014 to republican Will Hurd due to voter identification laws enforced in the state of Texas. Ian Millhiser, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress Action Fund, covers Gallegos’ narrow loss in his article, “Study Reveals the True Scope of Voter Disenfranchisement in Texas.” Millhiser asserts that a large part of Gallegos’ loss in 2014was due to the implementation of strict voter identification laws that discouraged democratic constituencies from voting. Millhiser explains, “Five times as many non-voters who listed the photo ID law as the principal reason they did not participate would have voted for Gallegos rather than for Hurd” (Millhiser). Gallegos was defeated by a mere 2,400 votes in the general elections of 2014. The effects that voter identification laws have on elections are clear and it is absolutely vital that California withdraws from implementing these laws to avoid faulty
Presidential elections are the one time of year where people second guess their morals and what they really want our country to look like. The campaigns went from having hard facts to bashing the other candidates to get votes. It’s a way of life for Americans to sit in front of a television and believe every single statement that comes out of politician 's mouths. The people need to come together has one and voice their opinions and their voice. With this year 's election having two unfavorable candidates, it is questionable whether voters should be protesting against the government by submitting blank ballots, electing fictional characters, and throwing rallies at candidates campaigns.