In this essay, I will analyze the very relevant issue of voter turnout. In fact, in the last few years, there have been a very small number of people involved in politics and citizens have behaved in an increasingly passive and apathetic way toward political matters. This demonstrates the weakness in the working process of modern democracies. If we look at the history, for example going back in the Athenian democracy, where all citizens, included the lower classes, participated actively in the politics, or if we think about the fight for universal suffrage, it is very shocking to realize that people of our century seem not really to use their right to vote. Hence, this clearly makes us question the causes of this apathy. In the first part, …show more content…
“It assumes that individual behavior is motivated by self-interest, utility maximization, or, more simply put, goal fulfillment.”(Petracca, 1991) According to this approach to politics, actors know what they want and they organize themselves to reach their objectives they and by ordering them in a transitive way. People have to evaluate what means to use to achieve their aims and this isn’t always an easy decision, but they do their best to chose the right instruments. The difficulty lies in the fact that the actions of one actor and his outcomes are correlated with the action of the others. So people must establish an equilibrium between their wills and the individual will select the best equilibrium actually available, keeping in mind others’ choices. (Riker, 1995)
The paradox of voter turnout lies in the fact that, people, as rational actors, shouldn’t go to the polls, because the possibilities that their vote could be influential and decisive are nearly zero and the benefits do not help the individual but society as a whole. So they theoretically should decide to stay home during the elections, because the costs and the energy they spend in voting overcome the benefits they could have from doing it. (Myatt,
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The first one is the voter registration. Most of the countries right now, to prevent frauds, require that voters be registered for taking part in the elections. Even if they register virtually all their potential voters, not all of them use the same system to do it. The most common ways are self-initiated systems and state-initiated systems. In America there is the first one. This implies that the process isn’t automatic as it is in the second system, which is more broad in Europe, but it requires efforts. This could influence the decreasing of political participation because some people could not know how to register or just they don’t want to waste time in doing it. Anyway the tricky registration process, which is more lax lately, can’t be the only explanation for this
This view is consistent with the theories of David Mayhew (The Electoral Connection, 1974) who asserts that the desire for
With compulsory voting many countries become successful. Germany,Peru, Australia and many more countries have been required to vote since the late 1800’s to the late 1900’s (Doc A). In Brazil those who don 't vote have to pay a fine, causing many to not miss their voting slot time
Although many have debated on their reasoning, the Electoral College system may be a noteworthy cause. As a democratic nation by the people and for the people, citizens feel betrayed when they believe that their vote isn’t worth anything. Therefore, the system they thought they knew and loved fails them. It is essential for citizen’s voices to be heard in a sea of dispute and many see their vote as a method for this to take place. However, when an unpopular candidate is elected President by a small margin it is understandable to believe
I feel that this is due to the fact that state parties can listen to their citizens better than the national parties because the national parties are usually busier than the state
Voter Turnout in Texas As stated in the prompt voter turnout in the state of Texas is amongst the lowest in the nation. Many people seem to be confused or in awe as to why Texas has such a low voting rate. The truth in reality is that there are quite a few reasons why the turnout in Texas is so low.
Abi H. Civic Reflection Issue 1- Change in Point of View: In Canada, voter turnout has become a major issue; as there is a large amount of the population that does not vote in elections. Back in 2008, a total of 58% of the countries` population voted in the election. This is a startling low number, which since has begun to increase only slightly in recent years. In a democratic society, voting is essential for it to function with its full potential. Doing so enacts one of your basic responsibilities as a citizen, as well as shows that you are staying involved in your community and government.
Every citizen has the right to vote, but not everyone does these days. It’s important that all people vote in the country and compulsory voting will assure that, because voting is not just a right, it’s a responsibility like Jury duty. Throughout the history voting laws had changed from time to time and from country to country and till now 30 countries around the world had used compulsory voting and got effective results and their countries developed due to good elections that were built in people’s opinion. Voting is considered like paying taxes nowadays, even though it is a responsibility and a duty for them to do towards their country, some people support it and others don’t. The advocates of the compulsory voting argue that
One of the things that makes America so great is its election process. The US elections are fair and not rigged by the people in power(as far as the public knows.) Despite this, there are still some people who try and get the elections to go one way. This is called voter fraud. Voter fraud can take many different forms, switching ballots, tampering with results, pressuring voters, and voting in the place of others.
This unfamiliarity and thought of the process being confusing deters the younger people from registering to vote in the first place. By removing this process, voters can just show up to cast their votes and move on with their day without worrying about this potentially confusing process. These three methods combined could increase the voter turnout for each
“ While compulsion of any kind is a restriction, so is the compulsion to drive only on the right side of the road.” ( “Is It Time To Consider Mandatory Voting Laws? Worsening Voting Statistics Make a Strong Case.” by John W. Dean.) One way voter turnout can increase is by compulsory (required) voting.
However, one of the key characteristics of a healthy democracy is a high voter-turnout. If people do not turn up on Election Day, it is likely that they do not see the point of holding elections or the conditions are not suitable for them to vote. People vote because they believe that their vote has the power to make changes in the country. Voter apathy often develops when voters do not see voting as a way of voicing their concerns. America therefore continues to tread on risky ground, if a way of increasing voter turnout is not found.
Throughout the recent years the majority of the able voting population are exercising their privilege to vote. Even during the presidential elections the voter turnout rate was 50% or less than that. The act of voting should be a personal responsibility of every citizen meaning it should be a obligation. But to specify on this statement, it should not lawfully required to vote because people also have the right not to vote too (and it would be weakening personal liberties) , but it should be a personal responsibility for citizens if they are to complain about how the government run rather than every citizen. A personal responsibility is when we are the cause of our own actions.
Participation Paradox is the fact that citizens vote even though a single vote rarely decides an election. In my opinion I do not agree with participation paradox because if a single vote decides an election then this can cause a problem. The problem in participation paradox is that a single individual's vote is rarely decisive because few election are decided by a single vote. A single vote does not make a difference in elections. The point of this paradox is not to suggest that people should vote but rather to highlight that they vote for other reasons.
Words often associated with democracy are freedom, choice, representation, voice and opinion. However, what happens when there is an excessive number of representatives and too many politicians voicing their opinions? The choice of who to vote for becomes harder due to the barrage of opinions. The influx of political parties has greatly affected the elections, as poll results show that minority parties are receiving votes from Canadians which diminishes the amount of votes going to the main parties.
Many people believe that the election plays the most important role in democracy. Because a free and fair election holds the government responsible and forces it to behave on voter's interest. However, some scholars find evidence that election itself is not enough to hold politicians responsible if the institutions are not shaping incentives in a correct way. In other words, the role of the election on democracy, whether it helps to serve the interest of the public or specific groups, depends on other political institutions. I