...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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...decisions that are not congenial with what the people believe, he or she can easily be removed. Judicial decisions do develop law and have a crucial impact on the public. For example, appellate court decisions end up becoming law, and by having a say on the selected judge we are more likely to agree with the laws. The way I see it is, one votes for a judge that shares similar beliefs as you do. By having the chance to vote for a judge that shares the same political beliefs, his or her decisions will reflect voters’ viewpoints. By giving the community the power to elect officials in office, more and more registered voters will take the intuitive to vote. In order for them to select a representative that can embody the concerns of the citizens. Voting isn’t a privilege, it is a necessary right that can’t be taken away. We look at our court system as a safety net, for them to address legal matters in hopes that societies and citizens will be protected. Therefor it is detrimental for state judges to be involved in the progressive assembly of a population. A person is either appointed to a judge position or elected by the people. There are valid arguments for and against both methods, but I believe the pros regarding election campaigns outweigh the cons. Appointed jurists will be selected based on their performance rather than popularity. Many argue that allowing the public to vote for judges, we are expected to have less qualified candidates. Since candidates want to be elected by the...
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...For the upcoming 2016 Presidential election, the likelihood for me to vote is pretty much a one-hundred percent guarantee. One reason I will vote is because, as a citizen of the United States, I have that right, according to the 5th Amendment, section 1. Another reason is because I want someone in office who will share the same views on things as I do. For that reason I will vote for the Republican Party. The reason I will vote for the Republican Party is because, as I stated earlier, it shares similar views that I do. To name a couple, the Republican Party are for traditional marriages, man and woman, and they do not endorse abortion, they believe “unborn children have ‘individual right to life’” One factor that plays a key role in assessing...
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...With the 2016 presidential election approaching, Americans should highly consider voting Republican if they want to better education, lower taxes, and focus government on local levels. It is important to understand what the party stands for and the reasoning behind it. With all of the controversial issues among the American people the country needs to know who they are voting for. The Republican party started in the 1950s by anti-slavery activist, the actual name “republican” was chosen to reflect equality. Abraham Lincoln was America's first Republican president and under him Americans got the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendment abolishing slavery. The party was also the first to support women's suffrage and most of the states that voted for...
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...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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...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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...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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...for change. What is the importance of voters, you may ask? The importance of voters is better public welfare and the political voice of the government. It will be reflected in better electoral elections and a better sense of community for the nation. The need for a better nation is the foundation of America, so it's important we uphold it for the people. To tackle higher voter turnout, a plan needs to be made. It will need to address education, accessibility, community, and motivation. One viable solution is to introduce compulsory voting to increase voter participation rates. Compulsory voting has had a positive impact on other...
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...The right to vote is one of the most significant rights we have as American citizens. A right of this importance should be treated with the utmost respect and admiration. Due to it being to so essential for the country to get along smoothly, the right to vote should not be lowered. The current voting age is adequate although changes can be made. Well informed, mature voters are the key to making good choices when election time comes around. Lowering the voting age would create problems that America does not need to deal with. The main reason the voting age should not be lowered is there is an excessive amount of people below the age of 18 are not responsible enough to vote. Voting should be taken very seriously, since it decides who holds office in America. A great deal of young students do not grasp the gravity of casting a ballot. Is every single high school student fit to vote? Of course not. Can they become adequate voters as time passes? Absolutely. Trusting 16 year old trouble makers and class clowns to make a mature decision is not a great idea. These same kids, however, may grow up to be productive, mature citizens. Any age less than 18 is simply too low to allow to vote....
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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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...In the best of my knowledge, to lower the voting age would make the percentage of participation decrease. If so many eightteen year olds are not voting now, how do we think that lowering the age would be anymore affective. The low percentages we have for voting now would greatly decline and we would eventually have no more of age people voting. Instead, I feel that we should be explaining the importance of this issue to the generations to come. To further let them know that to make America great again, the issue lies within the countries youth, not with the current president. Knowledge is the greatest known power in the world. Knowledge brought us to the democracy we have for the Unied States today. Voting is our chance to exercise those freedoms and powers of the people, so why do so many teens refuse to vote? Maybe we're scared to make the wrong decision and have that weight on our shoulders, but i know that without a voice, you are speechless. Everyone with such a big responsibility should take the time to really know what each canidate is promising. We need to explain this to our youth so they understand that this is their country too....
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... Downs’ conclusion of his work is that rational voters should almost never bother to vote. At the same time, Downs remains puzzled by this conclusion as it predicts a much lower voter-turnout than what actually occurs. The concept of rational choice voting and collective goods brings forth an interesting evaluation given Downs’ concluding dilemma: could rational choice voting behavior be considered a collective good? Furthermore, could such a rational choice voting behavior be considered a collective good to everyone with similar interest in terms of political parties and ideological positioning? While Downs explains that voters may continue to vote as means to support democracy, he provides no solution to resolve this irreconcilable complication. Democracy cannot survive with no voter-turnout, one could argue that the mere exercise of voting in a duly constituted election provides democratic legitimacy. Despite its self-serving nature, rational voting behavior is, in essence, a collective good as every member of society is able to benefit from it regardless of whether each members duly...
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...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 TAKING PART IN VOTING PROCESS Voting is the process where an individual takes part in choosing electoral leaders. This process can be done through secret ballot or open voting. These leaders include the political leaders like the president, senators, congressional representatives, governors. Others can be managerial positions in the public government. The federal constitution entails voting as a crucial process. It is a process that the government wishes every citizen who has attain the legal years for voting to participate. This paper is going to highlight why it is extremely beneficial for everyone to take part in the voting process. First, voting is important because it makes certain the people are able to elect the capable and deserve visionary leaders. It is a mechanism, which has developed to make certain that leaders with poor qualities exit the race and are not selected by the electorate. In a voting process, the people are able to vote for a leader whose vision and mission attend to the needs of the people. If one does not participate in the voting process, this means that a leader, whose mission does not meet your needs, may be selected in a leadership position. Second, voting process acts as a checkup process or referendum for the leaders and their respective political parties. Leaders, who hold remarkable senior and powerful positions, may not be assessed properly due to the immense powers of their office. The law forbids the...
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...votes casted are caused by political ignorance influenced by the media, the 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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