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Are you a citizen? Then you have
a responsibility to vote
By Tatiana Southam
November 28, 2005 | Out of 153 democratic
countries in the world, the United States ranks among
the lowest for voter turnouts in elections. In comparison
to Japan, Germany and Australia, who have voter turnouts
around 89 percent, the United States, on average, has
only 50 percent, according to the 2004 U.S. Census Bureau.
I never noticed this was a problem until election
day earlier this month, when I helped demonstrate to
the public the new electronic voting machines that will
be used next year. Over a 10-hour shift at three separate
precincts in Wellsville, Nibley and Hyrum, I noticed
not a lot of people go to the polls on election day.
I also noticed that only a few people between 18 and
24 actually show up. In fact, statistics from the Pew
Research Center showed that only 32 percent of college-aged
people vote. What about the other 68 percent?
The Census Bureau reports those 65 and older had the
highest registration rate at 79 percent, as well as
the highest voter turnout at 70 percent. They added
that citizens between 18 and 24 had the lowest registration
rate at 58 percent, and also the lowest voting rate
at 47 percent. These young people are often referred
to "the future leaders of America." How can they be
leaders if they don't take voting seriously? What kind
of an example are they setting for younger generations?
The Census Bureau reported that the "turnout rate
for people with a bachelor's degree or higher (80 percent)
was greater than the rate for people whose highest level
of educational attainment was a high school diploma
(56 percent)." In a town whose population consists of
mostly college students, Logan shouldn't just have older
people voting. A good majority of the votes should come
from students.
It seems like too many people just don't take voting
seriously anymore. In 1902, the United States began
with a 75 percent turnout, according to the Federal
Election Commission. A national study by Harvard University,
however, shows that America has been on a steady downward
trend ever since.
Voting used to be considered a privilege, that's why
we adopted some amendments to the U.S. Constitution
that gave both women and blacks the right to vote. It
doesn't seem like many people appreciate these amendments
anymore, though. The Census Bureau reported that in
2004, turnout rates for citizens were 67 percent for
non-Hispanic whites, 60 percent for blacks, 44 percent
for Asians and 47 percent for Hispanics. In the same
report, women had a 65 percent turnout rate, while men
only had 62 percent.
Why aren't more politically active? A lot of my friends
I've talked to don't even know who's running or what
election is near. Those who are aware are either too
busy with school or work, or aren't interested because
the campaigns seem to focus on issues for older people.
Some people are disgusted with politics, or believe
there are no good candidates, or think both parties
are the same. Others believe politicians lie, or elections
are all about who has the most money, or their votes
won't matter. These are just a few of the common excuses
used for not voting. Sure, some of these might be true.
But every vote does matter. Everyone who is a citizen
should vote. In the recent mayoral and city council
elections here in Cache Valley, some of the votes were
extremely close. Some of North Logan's candidates were
barely missed by one vote. Just one!
What can the United States do to get more voters at
their polls? One option is adopting what other countries
have done: compulsory voting. More than 20 countries
have used some type of compulsory voting. This forces
citizens to register and to vote on Election Day, or
some form of punishment will come. In Australia, citizens
who fail to vote are required to pay a fine. This voting
law has increased their voter turnout from 47 percent
to 95 percent. Can you imagine what it would be like
if America saw 95 percent of its voters at the polls?
Our government is a republican democracy. Because
of this, we are able to vote for those we believe represent
us best, but too many underestimate the power of their
voice. Everyone who is of voting age and a U.S. citizen,
male or female, old or young, should exercise this great
responsibility and opportunity they have. If we want
leaders to represent us and our standards, do something.
Vote!
NW
MS |
