Suffrage is a liberty that millions of people have (and still do) fight for. However, in countries like America where the right to vote has not only been created but enforced, people tend to ignore their right to vote simply because the don’t wish to. While the forefathers didn’t intend to make this implication, Americans in the mid to late 18th century would likely challenge people on their folly for not completing their civic responsibility that thousands of soilders died for. But should citizens be forced to fulfill their civic responsibilities?
Responsibilities are things that everyone is practically required to do. Such as a father is practically required to feed his children. It is his responsibility. Voting is a right that people have
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A notable example was back in 1876, President Rutherford Hayes (a republican) beat Samuel Tilden (a democrat) by a 3% popular vote and a single electoral voter. People are furious about the results about these kinds of elections as it is, but when they hear that the guy seating next to them didn’t vote, they may go ballistic. Because the value of a single vote may be extremely vital to all involved in the country (or, on a bigger scale, the country). That one vote may elect a president who creates free community college educations to the financially needy, but not voting may strip away only chance at an education. But in the same instant, that one voter may force the rich to be taxed more and have them loose more of their hard earned money. Governmental matters effect everyone involved, notwithstanding directly or indirectly, in one way or another. So it makes sense that every citizen should vote, right? Since they are all effected in the end? While many residents may see it that way, it isn’t that black and white of a scenario. While it may be dismissed by society, it is ulitmalty nesscary that our society people who don’t vote if we want to maintain a diverse culture. Think about. On every issues that requires a voter, there are people who strongly support it and are against it and simply don’t mind it. This 3rd party of people
In document C, John W. Dean who was legal council the the U.S. President Richard M. Nixon said, “While compulsion of any kind is a restriction, so is the compulsion to drive only on the right side of the road. Requiring citizens to vote is no more restrictive than requiring them to register for the draft. And it is far less restrictive than requiring us, for example, to attend school; to serve on juries, possibly for weeks or months at a time; to pay taxes; or to serve in the military when drafted”(Dean). That shows the multitude of laws or requirements in America that are less important than voting, but are required. Voting is for the good of the country, yet people won't vote, but won't bat an eye when they are forced into jury duty.
There are a number of various ways that can be used in order to address the ever-growing problem of democratic deficit in the UK, which is based around factors such as the low participation rates and general apathy towards politics in the wider public.
To enforce voting to be mandatory , this will prompt more Americans to pay attention to the choices for their representatives. Mandating would stimulate the demand side, motivating voters to understand and acknowledge who they are voting for. Therefore , voting is to be a responsibility than a option.
Without mandatory voting, some people chose not to vote because they do not care, or are uninformed. Forcing these people to vote could lead to random choices when voters do not take responsibility to study the candidate's position on specific topics. "It may increase the number of informal votes, ballot papers which are not marked according to the rules for voting," _ Matt Rosenberg_. Compulsory voting may lead many people to not truly vote, but to put their name on a ballot and turn it in. While this is possible, a greater number of potentially interested people would also vote. If people are required to vote, the country will obtain every eligible voters’ opinions. Some of the citizens may not care who is elected, but they still can have a say if they want to. Without mandatory voting, the people who do not want to vote, do not and went about with their life. "Because a majority of the voters are turning out to cast ballots, the formation of the government can be a more accurate reflection of what the population of any nation wants," _Asia-Pacific Economics_. In a government with two different parties, the majority of the citizens decide how they want the government to be formed till the next election.
The United States of America has been practicing a democratic government since the Declaration of Independence was written in 1776. Since then American citizens have been given many rights and responsibilities. These rights and responsibilities include voting, serving in the military, jury duty, paying taxes, and many others. Jury duty and paying taxes are mandatory and are responsibilities of all citizens. However, serving in the military is only mandatory when there is a draft. Since jury duty, paying taxes, and serving in the military, during a draft, are mandatory, the belief is voting should be too. Some even call it a citizen’s civic responsibility (Compulsory voting, 2015).
Moreover, numerous countries in the world; China, North Korea, and Saudi Arabia, do not offer their citizens such liberal democratic opportunities. For these reasons, I believe as Americans, we should feel indebted and vote, because of our enlightened Founding Fathers; George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, etc. Not only did these great men risk their lives to form this great country, but they are also largely responsible for our generations being able to enjoy these freedoms and privileges. As one could conclude furthermore, voting makes Americans feel increasingly patriotic. Because of these reason, I will continue to advocate for Americans to get registered to vote. Not only do I view voting as a privilege, but I also understand that it’s my patriotic
It is deeply troubling when the winner is the loser and the loser is the winner. A woman acclaimed by many and certain of victory finds herself stunned and defeated. A man hated by many and suspecting failure finds himself triumphant and prepares to become the leader of the free world. The problem with this system of “democracy” is that it really is not a democracy. Instead, people vote for other people who then vote for someone else who becomes their ruler.
American president, Rutherford Birchard Hayes, has been quoted with saying that “to vote is like a payment of a debt, a duty never to be neglected, if its performance is possible.” In a republic form of government, such as the governments of the United States, France, and Finland, the power needed for the legislation and execution of laws and regulations comes from the people. However, the number of people who actually participate in an election nowhere near matches the amount of eligible voters who do not participate in a local, state, or national election. Be that as it may, this problem can easily be alleviated by making voting, like jury duty, a requirement of every citizen. As a result, it ensures that the government being run represents
When it comes to elections or voting for anything in life there will always been one side that ends up not being satisfied. A professor at Zen College states that "Many Americans don't vote because they think their vote doesn't count."(Rogers,2015,pg1). This is highly untrue because the best example would be Trumans surprising win in the election of 1948 by only 4% percent more. Another example would be Kenndeys presidential win by only 112,827 more votes against former President Nixon. The estimated average of people who did not vote could have turn these presidential wins around by a long shot due to the claims of people in there political party at those times. Every vote counts and if it is your choice not to vote then your personal political opinion would not be
But there a lot of people who can vote but still believed their vote means nothing. But a perfect example is the 2016 elections after the elections people were upset due to the outcome. But as we look at the data many of these people are those who did not vote, but if they would have then we would be a different
When one casts a vote they should reflect on how far we have come as a nation. Voting was once a privilege given only to those who were of the highest social status: white land owning males. The 19th amendment granted women the right to vote, the 19th amendment states: “right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” (http://constitutioncenter.org). The constitution now allows all who are 18 and older the right to vote no matter the sex or race. The constitution is a document to protect citizens from tyranny or big government. The United States government should be “by the people, for the people and of the people”- Abraham Lincoln. This is why the American government is constructed the way it is so no one branch of government has too much power. Tensions are created when the country is so divided nothing is accomplished in congress. Additionally if the government is divided then the people are also divided; for the people and the government go hand and hand. Civilly when the people are divided it causes racial and cultural tensions to rise increasing the number of shootings and riots. In contrast if voting were to be carried out to the letter and the constitution followed as it was written then much of the discord seen today could have been avoided before it rose to the level it is at
All that can really be seen is what appears before ourselves. What we see on billboards, television, or radio show constantly the views of a new runner for politics whom proclaims what he or she wishes to accomplish. Listening to it, one can create a thought of why did they choose that topic for an argument? Today not all people vote so the ones who do are the people these “runners” focus on. Why would they fight to create increased pay to schools if all the voters are the elderly? Why not focus upon retirement benefits or healthcare? As citizens we have complaints on how the government manages our money and yet we do not do anything about it. Voting gives a chance. If certain groups grew in votes different ideas would be made for these “runners”. Say the young adults started to vote a lot more. We could have schooling benefits, less tuition fees, higher education levels, and possibly a large increase in jobs. One United Kingdom publisher explains, “If you vote, the campaigners urge, the politicians will have to listen to you and things will change.”(Kirkup, The Telegraph). Also youth have the longest time, and live what the country becomes. To conclude, voting doesn’t take long and doesn’t require almost any effort. All it requires just an open mind and yet people just do not realize this opportunity. Right now we could be living in the richest most opportunistic country if everyone could understand what can become of our views. Life could be looked forward not
There has been much debate about the legalisation of compulsory voting throughout political history and more importantly its place in a democratic society. Compulsory voting at a Commonwealth level was recognised in Australia in 1924 under section 245(1) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act as stated: “It shall be the duty of every elector to vote at each election” (Australian Electoral Commission, 2011). Since the introduction of compulsory voting there has been both strong advocacy and opposition in terms of its legitimacy in society, which this essay will highlight through the concept of its consistency with representative democracy and its ability to ensure parties reflect the will of all people. On the contrary, opponents argue that it increases the number of safe seat electorates as well as forcing the ill informed to vote.
The action of voting is such important role in how our country is going to be developed, especially effects on the economy, foreign relationships, society, etc. People are becoming much involved in politics, which is extraordinary because it means that the people are understanding how important their vote is and how it brings change to the issues that truly bother them. Many citizens don’t vote because they are either lazy or too busy, they either have jobs, classes, families, or other responsibilities take care of, but voting is a responsibility that should be attended. Voting could be the thing to prevent awful political leader’s to be put in office who are not focusing on what’s truly important, which is the people, which means that
It 's important for us all to vote. I know that we all have different opinions, beliefs, and lives from one another. This speech is