The Great American Experiment

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Recommended: United states current policy on voter id laws

Yes we can, the rallying cry for the democratic candidate in the 2008 elections could be seen as a foreshadowing of what was to come. That candidate went on to win the election by nearly a 7 point margin, partially thanks to an overall higher voter turnout especially amongst the Hispanic, black and young demographics. Barack Obama’s 2008 victory is an example of how concentrating on voter turnout can lead to great success. In the wake of such a clear indication of the potential power of an increased voter turnout, one would assume that both parties would be doing everything they can to build on that trend; this however may not be the case.

Does each party want higher turnout?

Since nearly the beginning of our nation, the idea of higher voter turnout to elections has been a pet cause of one politician or another; each assuming such an increase would be to their benefit. This idea cannot be claimed by any one party either, as it shifts with the very political tides that guide much of politics. Usually it is the party out of power that perceives the greatest potential benefit in increasing turnout, and thus, changing the structure of the electorate. This pattern, however, has seemed to break apart in the latest elections.

A new strategy has come into view recently, which may result in actually reversing the trend of increasing the electorate outright. So far in 2011, 14 states have enacted 19 new laws and 2 executive orders placing new restrictions on voting and registration, which could diminish voter turnout in 2012 (Weiser and Norden 2011). These laws cover a wide array of issues; ranging from restrictive voter registration and voter id laws, to even reducing the days which people were able to vote. The Brennan Center for Jus...

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...n the multitude of ways both parties have to directly target and promote the turnout of their bases, there is no need for such retroactive tactics. We should all work towards improving participation in this great American experiment.

Bibliography

Ginsberg, Benjamin, Theodore J Lowi, and Margaret Weir. We The People, an introduction to american politics. New York: W. W. Norton & Co Ltd, 2011

Latinos for Reform. Don't Vote Latinos For Reform. October 18, 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKFAiMbm1Fc

U.S. Census Bureau. Newsroom: Voter Turnout Increases by 5 Million in 2008 Presidential Election. July 20, 2009. http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/voting/cb09-110.html

Weiser, Wendy R, and Lawrence Norden. "Voting Law Changes in 2012." Brennan Center for Justice. 10 3, 2011. http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/voting_law_changes_in_2012

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