When you compare the American system of registering to vote to that of other countries, it's easy to see why. In America, registering is solely the responsibility of the individual. Whereas in other countries, there's much better voting encouragement and even compulsory voting in some places. So, what could America do to increase the amount of voters?
Personally, I believe one solution in which America could increase their voter turnout is by removing the "burden" from the individual. I have many friends who have just gone through the voter's registration process for the first time. And many who haven't. But while they all have their reasoning, not one of them said it was because they didn't want to vote. When kids turn 18, they don't just magically turn into adults who have time management down to a science (how many adults actually do?) or even start to think about the fact that they're legally adult in the eyes of the law. Many people just simply forgot, or maybe there wasn't time for them to go register, I mean, many probably didn't know how. So, by having a system of a voter registration that took the pressure off the individual, America would see a much greater number of its people at the poles, being able to speak freely and use their rights as a citizen. This could even be handled at the time of getting a drivers license (with an option for them to opt out of course, as it is their right). Now, of course they wouldn't be able to vote until they turned of age, but it'd already have people pre-registered when elections roll around, all they'd be required to do is show a valid form of i.d. Those who don't get their license would of course be left out of this system, but they of course should be given easier access to voter registration as well.
But hey, maybe it's a system that wouldn't work or maybe even backfire, but I think there's no doubt in anyone's mind that more Americans should be voting. So a solution should be looked for, and if you think my idea isn't viable or necessary (or even if you agree with me!), I'd love to know.
I completely agree with what you are saying about us turning 18 and not just magically turning into adults and knowing how to get registered to vote. If my parents would have never helped me get registered I probably would have not even known or would have been to lazy to figure out how to get registered and vote. We should definitely encourage more people to vote and help younger first time voters learn the process of what you have to do in order to be able to vote. Most people are 18 when they graduate from their senior year from high school and I believe that not one class ever told me to go out and vote or how to even register for it. If we would show younger generations this in school then maybe we would have a better voter outcome. Also I believe that what you mentioned about people being pre registered to vote with a valid I.D. is a great idea. In fact that would help a lot with the outcome of people going out and voting. I do agree with you that maybe for some reason the system does not work like this because of security purposes. If the system worked like this maybe it would not be so up to date or even secure. I do completely agree with your idea and believe that it would achieve what we are looking for and that is more people going out and voting.
ReplyDeleteIn The Red, White, and Blue blog, Not Enough Voters. Voter Registration was said should have easier availability to register, I agree on how many people especially younger people see it as a burden. This year, I have seen a lot of young people register to vote. I have seen that college has implemented a lot of resources around each campus. I do think that there could be an even easier way or even a way to inform people about the steps of registering. As of now, you could go online to fill out the form but it will still have to be mailed to a certain office. The convince to what you said, that it would be a good idea to apply with issued ID's. I feel like that is a good source to implement the right to register to vote. especially when people have to renew any forms of ID at any time. Also, the people that aren't put in the system for issued ID's, should be able to apply online with their social security number to show that they are proven, citizens. Your Idea could be a great reason to make it vastly easier to approach, then to stray away from registering.
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