...I agree that requiring Americans to vote is un-American. If one does not want to vote they should not have to. The first reason on why I agree would be a democracy cant be strong if its citizenship is weak. The second reason on why I agree is if some regularly vote while others don’t, officials are likely to give greater weight to participants. And lastly my third reason on why I agree is that low voter turnouts pushes American politics toward increased polarization. The first reason why I agree would be a democracy can’t be strong if its citizenship is weak. According to the article “Telling Americans to Vote, or Else” By William A. Galston “American citizenship is attenuated — strong on rights, weak on responsibilities.” Citizenship is what...
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...My essay will state my educated opinion on how we can restore any and all voting rights that have been taken or abolished by the United States Government from the United States Citizens. Since the late 1700’s there has always been restrictions to whom had availability and the right to vote. In the 1790’s it was only white male property owners. Then in the 1890’s there was a Literacy test implemented for African Americans. In which made African Americans take a specialized test to determine their competence as a human being to determine if they could vote. Then if we jump another hundred years to the year of 1995 when the federal “Motor Voter Law” was implemented to make it easier for all United States citizens to vote Male, Female, African...
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...ranged from 18 to 29 years old. This lack of participation of young Americans place a strain on issues that affect the young population, such as allowing officials to ignore concerns involving student debt and funding for higher education. Young Americans have the power to voice their political, social, and economic opinions to make a difference, but they ignore the opportunity to act during election day due to two misconceptions: their vote does not matter and the election does not concern them. Today, I am going to explain how every vote matters, express the importance of voting, and...
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...Achoi5892@gmail.com Informative Speech Outline Topic: The importance of voting Type of Speech: issue Strategy for Presenting Content: Explanation General Purpose: To inform Specific Purpose: To inform my audience the importance of voting. Thesis Statement: Voting is essential and should be exercised by everyone because one vote can make a difference. Introduction: How many people are registered to vote? How many people are registered to vote and have voted? This is the dilemma the United States is facing today. Many people are registered to vote, but choose not to vote. It is important to exercise your voting rights because the decision our government officials make can have a huge impact on our lives. Voting in any type of election, from local races to Presidential primaries, provides an important way to voice your opinions regarding elected leaders and overall policies. In addition, voting decides our future by electing officials who reflect your own views. Therefore, voting is essential and should be exercised by everyone because one vote can make a difference. The ability to vote is one of the most cherished Constitutional Rights that many have fought, marched, and died for over the centuries. 1. Many people do not realize that voting is so vital that it can even have an impact on your daily life. Voting is the best way to express your opinion silently and privately...
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...How can we as a society strive to increase political engagement? A democracy works best, only when its citizenry is able and willing to defend its government in the face of adversity. However, a representative democracy only works when its citizens are informed and equipped with civility, awareness, and a willingness to create change. For the purpose of this paper, we will consider the United States a representative democracy. The United States functions as a representative democracy because it is a form of government where its citizens elect and hold their representatives accountable to its people. Across the country, the principle method of holding government accountable is voting for elected representatives. Voting to pass local legislation in their hometown or voting for the next President of the United States, voting for...
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...The Importance of Having a Voice and Getting Out To Vote Professor Butler POLS 2301.04 April 24, 2015 The Importance of Having a Voice and Getting Out To Vote Throughout this semester I’ve learned a great deal of information on various subject areas. I’ve also gained more political knowledge than I had prior to taking this course. Of the many chapters discussed during this course, I found Parties and Elections in Texas (chapter 21), Public Opinion (chapter 6), and Political Participation and Voting (chapter 8) to be the most interesting and informative. Parties and Elections in Texas Political parties play a major role in Texas politics. Approximately 91 percent of Texas voters either identify with or lean toward the Republican or the Democratic Party. Despite all of the complaints about parties, they perform roles that are critical to the operation of our democratic system and to the overall coordination and functioning of our political system. The most important function of parties in Texas is to provide a label under which candidates may run and voter may identify. The party label becomes the standard used in casting a ballot for a candidate. Parties recruit candidates, assist in getting out the vote, and helps to organize the government once officials have been elected. The organization of political parties in Texas can be somewhat complex. Texas does not have a system of party registration for voters. Texas parties conduct primaries to select each party’s...
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...they could do this is by not voting.” 32nd four-term (1933-1945) U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt In this great democracy, the United States of America, there are twin pillars of our free society: individual freedoms and citizen participation. Chapters seven through twelve addresses citizen participation. Democracy is a political (governmental) system that began in ancient Greece. The early Greeks believed that all eligible voters not should, but must participate in government for there to truly be a system reflecting the will of its people. Although today few if any democracies have full participation, citizen involvement in politics is paramount. It is essential. Chapters seven through twelve examines the history, reasons and ways that citizens participate in American Democracy. Citizen participation is “front and center” in any democracy. Voting is among the many ways citizens can participate in their democracy. Voting is essential because it determines who will govern and control a society. Today across America we witness the rewrite of voting laws. Many state general assemblies/legislatures are passing laws that are viewed as restricting the “right to vote.” Such laws may require proof of personal identification when voting or prohibiting voting on Sundays. However, recently, Oregon made news by enacting a state law allowing voter registration with driver’s license renewals. This new Motor-Voter law will expand voting eligibility. Complicating...
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...Felon Voting In the United States, people convicted with felony are barred from participating in voting in any election. According to Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (2008), it is estimated that about five million felony victims have been denied this chance, a condition referred to as disenfranchisement. Every state in America has its own law concerning disenfranchisement. Felons are only allowed to vote in Maine and Vermont states (Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, 2008). Some states demand that felon re-enfranchisement should be enhanced to allow felons who have already completed their sentence to participate in elections. They argue that their privileges and rights should be restored by allowing them to cast votes. According to them, blocking felons from voting is undemocratic, unfair, racially, and politically motivated while opponents state that felons have poor judgment, and should not be entrusted with this fundamental right. This research paper gives a clear summary of two articles concerning their position on felon voting. The first article is Liberal and republication argument against the disenfranchisement of felons by Jeffrey Reiman, and the second one is Locked out: felon disenfranchisement and America democracy by Jeff Manza and Christopher Uggen. Both articles indicate that disenfranchisement of criminal offenders who are already through with their sentences is ethically and morally wrong. The two authors lobby for the enfranchisement...
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...In recent years, it has been made apparent that voting rights are not being exercised by many Americans. This holds true for local, state, all the way to the presidential primary elections. Voting is something Americans are taught is a fundamental right of being a US citizen and it should be exercised extensively as it is part of the foundation of democracy. Historically, African Americans and women did not have the right to vote in the United States but they were fought for because voting is such an essential right. Why is it that people are not exercising this right which is so important to the future of the United States? In this essay, local voter turnout in the US, Canada, and the UK will be described and explained and then compared in...
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...Voting Age Matthew Clayton states in an article that “...Having the right to vote is widely recognized as one of the most important legal rights within a democracy.” (Wing and Clayton 534) With suffrage being an imperative democratic right, the questions of whether there should be a minimum voting age and if so, what age that should be set have quickly become central political issues. In 1971, the United States ratified the 26th Amendment to the Constitution, eliminating the age standard of twenty-one and granting eighteen year olds the right to vote. This was due to the realization of the double standard that eighteen year olds were old enough to be sent to fight for their country, but not old enough to vote for the people who represented it. A similar situation is occurring today, as American citizens under the age of eighteen pay taxes, drive cars, abide by the laws, are affected by the decisions of politicians, etc., but are denied the right to vote. These citizens are perfectly capable of making informed decisions and fulfilling the duties of a registered voter. Being affected by political decisions just as much as someone over the age of eighteen, citizens as young as the age of sixteen should be granted the right to vote. (Wing and Clayton 536) At the youthful age of sixteen, one can accomplish much more than they could at a prior time in their life. In most states, a sixteen year old can become emancipated from their parents, obtain a work permit, hold a job, choose...
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...we learned it all, especially about the prior agreement that was set by southern slave states allowing those states to count thier slaves as votes. After passing a bill that would give Southern States the majority in the electoral votes, the...
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...democratic society is a value and should not be underestimated. It provides its citizens the right to freely make choices to expand their potential as human beings. As a United States citizen, we are characterized as a member of having rights and responsibilities allowed, protected and supported by the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence. “We are a nation bound not by race or religion, but by the shared values of freedom, liberty, and equality”. (College for America, n.d.a). Throughout history, the United States has entertained and greeted immigrants from many countries. Immigrants have helped to form and establish the United States as we see it today. U.S. Citizens has the right to express their opinions on how the...
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...world have been impacted by significant individuals throughout history. These individuals have changed political governments as well as societal changes within our own country, the United States and around the world. This paper will discuss one of our well known world leaders and a well-known American Leader and the significant impact these individuals had on society and political changes. b. Thesis statement: History shows how leaders impact the outcomes and development of cultures and society due to social and political changes and influences. c. Preview of Main Points: i. World leader Gandhi led to Satyagraha and the equal rights for all. ii. Martin Luther King Jr. contributed to the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act. II. Gandhi’s contribution to social changes. a. One of the worlds most pronounced leaders of the twentieth century. b. Concept of Satyagraha, truth and firmness (Mohandas Gandhi). c. Indian Independence from Britain in 1947. III. Martin Luther King Jr.’s contribution to the social changes made in the United States. a. King traveled the Country and the world to lecture other leaders, activists, and protestors on the importance, how to, and benefits on non-violent protesting. b. Civil Rights Act prohibiting racial discrimination (History.com) c. Voting Rights Act guaranteeing the right to vote to all African Americans (History.com). IV. Conclusion a. Restatement of thesis: History shows how leaders impact the outcomes and development...
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...Voting Problem in America Voting Problem in America Numerous studies have been steered to support with observing for influences that will demonstration by public do not contribute in voting. It has remained a mounting difficulties with appropriate voters not registering and object their ballot. Over the decades, Americans have vanished trace with the antiquity of voting. Voting for in determinations supports in providing underpinning on why society do not participate in voting. Analyses provide tangible influences with why societies do not vote with illustration clusters support. Discovery of behaviors will show the unabridged development with the existing system supports with the American community. The 2008 elections enquiry provides awareness with the diverse motives from highest to lowest. Giving some understanding on the origin of the unruly and outcome resolutions to battle these problems. Examination can transform that are currently in domicile and assuring voting contributions on the ability to speak on the issues and distresses. Observing at other countries for potential solutions to the problem can be one riposte for the United States voting delinquent. Using tads and shards can support with altering he existing classification that does not work. Without transformation, the voting contribution will endure to diminish. The history behind the voting in America helps wonder why this pass civil liberty has fallen to many Americans waist side in today’s world. As America...
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...candidates and many Americans today. In 1893, the government had put many reforms which reduced civil service patronage (Schudson 2). By doing this, the politicians could no longer bribe the public for political support and they wanted voting to be more individualized. In most of the 19th century, the votes were public and you picked your color ticket and casted your ballot. The ballot reform later placed voters in a closed setting where it was their “individual choice” to deter away from the public opinion. Schudson explains how the “One reason Americans have so much...
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