why does voting matter
Supreme Court: Affirmative Action OK for Military And Legacies The process Goes By the Electoral Collage Vote if its A Tie the House of Representatives.then Select the president. Through the work of this groundbreaking nonpartisan collaboration, were activating young people to get involved and spark change in their communities by expressing opinions at the ballot box. Oh snap, I have a great idea, why dont you move to Norway or Sweden, so you can be happy too. The electoral college would work in its original form. Americans do not live in freedom. When systems actively ostracize us, sometimes disengaging from civic duties feels like a method of reclaiming agency. Which are no longer of existence in modern history, if ever! It depends. className: "pt-0 pb-3 my-0" Someone that knows you might read it, Because I just want it recorded how much I despise what Trump has done to our country even though my vote wont matter at all. The U.S. Constitution states in Amendment XII, ratified by the states in 1804: The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed .. It wont solve everything, and it isnt the only thing thats needed; but it does make an impact, and so it shouldnt be a privilege. If the members of underrepresented communities who can vote do not show up to do it, our communities will continue being systemically set back because of policy crafted by elected officials who dont care for our interests. Thethree electionswherethe popular vote differed from the electoral votes were:the Hayes/Tilden election of 1876, the Harrison/Cleveland election of 1888, and Bush/Gore in 2000. National Geographic Headquarters 1145 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20036. Using the doctrines of Manifest Destiny and Divine Providence, the founders of the Constitution were opportunists and exploiters of the human condition. v3Classes: "bst-container-fluid", For instance, a vote cast for a Presidential candidate who has already essentially won an election, may not matter as much as votes that were cast earlier in the day before a clear winner was determined. Which one do you think is better? Voting should be a human right, but unfortunately, both being legally registered to vote and having the opportunity to engage in the process is currently a privilege. There is no Constitutional provision or Federal law that requires Electors to vote according to the results of the popular vote in their states. Its strange that were the richest country in the world but were always in debt. Why My Vote Matters - La Crosse Tribune The Issues: Why Voter Turnout Matters - University of Nevada, Las Vegas If Ted Wheeler had received just 1539 more votes in the May primary, there wouldnt be a run-off between him and his main challenger Sarah Iannarone right now. Not all governments exercise democracy, either. An Expert on Voting Machines Explains How They Work I think we still abolish the electoral vote since our vote doesnt count as we saw in 2016 elections where Clinton won by 3 million votes over trump. We should stick to the electoral college because most people dont even understand politics and dont even try. The rules vary state by state, but when residents have the option to vote early, they can head to the polls at a time thats convenient for them and avoid lines. Students vote at lower rates than the national averages for all Americans. Voter support and engagement early on allows them to continue their bid for office. Exercising and therefore reaffirming our right to vote is one important way to show that we, the people, will not relinquish that right. Some municipalities, including ten towns in Maryland, allow their non-citizen residents to vote in local elections. Those are, at this . The process, if approved, will . Fourth, voting matters becauseno matter what people sayit does produce change. They only chase the illusion of freedom that the government has created for them to believe and worship at their own expense. Im independent just like my ancestors were when they claimed this land. doesanykne remember how angry bush got when he was announced the loser. The worlds most terrifying reality TV show could, under this scenario, continue indefinitely, while either Tim Kaine or Mike Pence serves as acting President. And what does it mean for Americans in particular? This is something that rests in the power of politicians which is why all of our rights in truth are pretty much based on the personal bias of the sitting senators and representatives, and in these current times its especially screwed up because theyre so stuck on their personal parties vendetta against the opposing parties that theyre not even doing anything significant to help the American people. Another way in which a vote can matter is if you are voting for government representatives, either to your state or to the federal government. However, while reclaiming agency is both needed and necessary, retreat from civic life has not proven to be a fruitful way of doing so. Andrew Jackson actually received 38,000 more popular votes than Adams, and 15 more electoral votes than Adams. But what does it really mean? While no longer explicitly excluded, voter suppression is a problem in many parts of the country. The people of the United States can vote 99 percent for president A, but the House of Representatives can vote for president B, nullifying the people's vote. It allows the government to reflect the wishes of the majority. As Pews survey of the 2016 electorate showed, it was nonvoters that handed Trump the presidency. The U.S.A. is without question the most corrupt nation/government in the world. Oregonians, thanks to our universal mail-in voting system. East Lansing voters talk about why voting matters to them. This was supposed to be a spelled checked edition since suddenly spellcheck is dumb. The Economist Intelligence Unit already, the U.S. to a flawed democracy and this democracy is ever-more eroding in the face of voter suppression and gerrymandering, as well as Trumps, to commit to a peaceful transfer of power and not-so-veiled, for voter intimidation. Big idea: In every election, whether voter turnout is high or low, one person is elected in each electoral district and ends up with the power to make decisions that affect all of us. Hillary had 4 million more popular votes than Trump, so basically the electoral college subjected the American people to the abomination that is Trump. So the popular votes dont even count. Why engage with and contribute to a system that continuously disregards our humanity? Why now? Its not just that lawmakers dont speak to our issues or vie for our support; its that the resulting policies are formed without our input and without regard for the people most affected by those policies, thus reinforcing a cycle of inequality. The answer is yes, and there are at least five reasons for that. Generation Z, people between the ages of 18 and 23, are alsomore ethnically and racially diverse than previous generations. For progressives to have a shot at defeating him in 2020, many more people who can voteparticularly those who are young, low-income, and underrepresentedmust vote. i agree this is why i reguse to vote. That the first political party was in a red 100yrs after we declared our independence and that was to give our form of government a title for the wont, democracy. House Freedom Caucus members took a momentous vote Friday on Marjorie Taylor Greene's future with the group, according to three people familiar with the matter but it's not yet clear . What is the purpose of the electoral college if the popular vote can determines who is president? It really makes voting pointless when the leaders act like a spoiled children. }; Bilderbergs / Rosthschild / Smithsonian etc Are not familys per say! So by the end of the first stage, each Presidential candidate has his or her own unique slate of potential Electors. The successful fight to pass Amendment 4 in Florida, for example, which restored the voting rights of 1.4 million people with criminal records, was led by Desmond Meade, someone with such a record himself. Why Voting Matters We must challenge that intentional exclusion with an even greater resolve to be involved in change. In short, individual senators matter. That means the expected importance of voting the probability of changing an election's result multiplied by the impact if you do might, depending on your personal circumstances, be very high. There is a two-part process to selecting each states Electors. Its not just about federal elections eitherthe local elections matter just as much, if not more. Well since democracy is the tyrrany of the majority over the minority it was meant to give a voice to rural and urban folks. When Were Voting Rights Granted to All US Adult Citizens? the rlectowral college is a slap in the face. I agree. At Next100, Taif focuses on developing policies to strengthen our economy through immigrant integration and culturally inclusive communities. These misleading narratives have to be disrupted, and wherever local realities allow non-citizens to vote in local elections and/or restore the voting rights of the formerly incarcerated, proactive measures need to be taken to inform us of what weve been taught to assume we cant have. leading the fight against racial injustice, positive contributions that immigrants make. Redistricting is the process of drawing the lines of districts from which public officials are elected. Can you explain it to me, in laymans terms, why not elect the president directly? When mandatory voting is not part of a country's laws, then voter participation can be very low. Through our lived experiences of being denied the right to vote, weve learned that advocacy is a much more potent force than apathy or antipathy. In 1824 John Quincy Adams was elected president despite not winning either the popular vote or the electoral vote. I have zero trust in any politician. It took republicans another 30yrs to create their party. Behavioral early voters. Although protests, strikes and boycotts can have an impact, most social movement theorists argue there is a time when movements need to institutionalize and have advocates in city halls, statehouses and congressional offices in order to effectively enshrine their vision through policy reform. Low turnout in the United States is probably the result of multiple factors, but one frequently cited is many people are simply disillusioned with politics or dont think their votes really make a difference. Each state delegation has one vote. It is very misleading, so what is the point of debating, Trumps ridiculous rallies, political commercials etc if the popular vote doesnt even count? If you can vote but do not necessarily feel excited to, think about the people in your community who cannot vote. Voting is a right often taken for granted in the US. Unlike in other parts of the U.S., its also easy and comfortable to vote for mostalthough. Equally important, we must address the policies that actively exclude large segments of our population. I think it's a quiet protest to the system. They are gonna vote for who ever their campaign contributors tell them to. I believe the electoral college needs to go away Whats more? It is almost sacred. If people raised hell about that kind of big business idiosyncrasies that would show the demons of the greedy people thusly eliminating the need for political parties. Americans vote in much lower numbers compared to other developed countries, and American youth have one of the lowest voter turnouts in the world. Whats more, almost twice as many millennials voted in 2018 compared to 2014. Also to make sure that states with lower population could not be dominated by those states that had more. Just like with more direct forms of disenfranchisement, these issues overwhelmingly show up in communities of color, particularly Black communities, a fact which underscores the structurally racist factors at play. Whats the registration process like? There are so many countries in the world run by dictatorships. I believe they should do away with the electoral college vote due to interference with other countries interfering with our elections. Why do you think independent parties don't get equal representation and have a snowball's chance in hell of getting elected? Take, for example, the 2020 Portland mayoral election. thumbnailLinkTabIndex: "-1" Online registration not only minimizes administration costs and data entry errors, but it also improves state voter list accuracy. Failing to vote on such measures can affect the degree to . Although this is true, adulthood is just around the corner and we need to be conscious of the many responsibilities, as . When you elect someone you are electing their values and that is one place where trickle-down theory does indeed work. One of the biggest compulsory voting pros is that more voters are communicating their desires through the voting process. Voting matters because without doing so, your voice won't be heard. var contentListProps = { Im not confident that our system will work, seeing that its happened at least twice in my lifetime! We must also look beyond voter drives. Im sorry but Trump WON on this outdated platform, even as he bashes mail in voters, why in the world are we voting? Voters who want to avoid any snail mail mishaps and live in any of these 39 states have the option of registering online. , an activist expected to win in Missouris first congressional district on Nov. 3. Thankfully I didnt know that this when I was younger I would have never tried. Growing up as an undocumented immigrant, Rosario understood that her parents made sacrifices in moving to a new country in order to secure better opportunities for the future. These circumstances mean that mail-in votes will need to be cast no later than October 27 in order to be counted, and perhaps earlier, especially in the thirty-two states that do not accept mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day. Now, let's go over why local elections matter: 1. Voters should press senate candidates hard for a meaningful answer regarding the type of judges they would support, the candidates should challenge each other . With such active voter suppression, voting has become an act of resistance. I think everyones vote should be equal. Gerrymandering Explained | Brennan Center for Justice In 2004, for instance, only about 85% of registered voters cast a vote, and total votes cast represented only approximately half of the citizens who could have voted. Seems like the people vote is useless. Every four years, U.S. citizens vote for president and vice president during the general election. Like why even bother to vote if our voices arent being heard. Voting is a human right that helps to ensure your voice is heard, and that your needs are included in efforts to construct a government that accurately reflects your values. Do you know where and how to vote? Global Citizen and HeadCount have teamed up to engage young Americans to check their voting status, register, and vote. Get rid of it and only let senators and governors have a 8 year term in office. Period. Papers provided by EduBirdie writers usually outdo students' samples. And have you noticed computers of all things dont come with spell checker. Supreme Court Strikes Down Biden's Student Loan Forgiveness - Forbes In 1801 Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, both Democrat-Republicans, received the same number of electoral votes, despite the fact that Burr was running as a vice presidential candidate, not for the presidency. Presidential general election. }); In 2018, college students in Fairfax County, Virginia, who participated in a study reported that they didnt mail in their absentee ballots because they didnt know where to buy stamps. I can see some wisdom in that myself. Currently there is so much corruption in our government, and interference from other countries, we need a more trusted system. We detected that you're using an older version of Internet Explorer. If people raised hell about that kind of big business idiosyncrasies that would show the demons of the greedy people thusly eliminating the need for political parties. It sends a message to politicians that they do not have to answer to certain communities, because theyre not saying anything anyway. Each of the authors of this article, currently or in the past, has not had that right because of legal disenfranchisement. At Next100, Rosario focuses on protecting the rights and access to education of immigrant students, creating more culturally inclusive classrooms, and interrupting the school-to-prison pipeline. Fourth, voting matters becauseno matter what people sayit does produce change. And what does it mean for Americans in particular? If the electoral college can still decide who they want to be president, I assume they could have made their decision before we even voted. When it's conducted fairly, it accurately reflects population changes and racial diversity, and is used by legislators to equitably allocate representation in Congress and state legislatures. Required fields are marked *. These politicians may use strategies such asreducing polling locations in predominantly African American or Lantinx neighborhoods, or only having polling stations open during business hours, when many disenfranchised populations are working and unable to take time off.It was not until the 15th Amendment was passed in 1869 that black men were allowed to vote. If that sort of thing happens long enough, it's easy to see why a person might fail to see the value of voting. Im independent just like my ancestors were when they claimed this land. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media. Hea, Science & Tech: My journey at the Ideathon: The po, News: Meet next years student politicians "You can take that as a good or bad, but it . The Republic minded people think the general population is too dumb to vote for president. They know that to answer to those communities and invest the resources that their members need to thrive would require a hard look at the inequity amassed under their leadership. The results showed that voters are better represented than non-voters, especially in congressional issues. 70 percent of the voter registrations on hold in Georgia were for Black individuals. We are not liable for any HIPAA violations. Do we out ourselves and explain that were not registered because were ineligible to vote? Political parties are a form of racism it divides people. It is supposed to be we the people afterall am I mistaken? Why Voting Matters | Phoenixville, PA Patch It used to work years ago but now you have to buy it. Why the Voting Gap Matters | Demos In the general election, you are eligible to vote for any candidate from any party. She or he will best know the preferred format. But even so, many would-be voters faced artificial hurdles like poll taxes, literacy tests, and other measures meant to discourage them from exercising their voting right. Local government can affect almost every aspect of your . Both parties are looking out for the government more than any individual person or "class" of people. ); Low turnout means that important local issues are determined by a limited group of voters, making a single vote even more statistically meaningful.How You Can Make Your Voice HeardIf you are not yet 18, or are not a U.S. citizen, you can still participate in the election process. For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. This is particularly true when we see how disenfranchisement works against communities of color systemically. While young people are historically the group least likely to vote for several reasons, either because they lack encouragement and information, or they think they won't make a difference and find the process too complicated, that's starting to change. If America is to truly live up to its ideals, we must reverse the decades long assault on voting and make it significantly easier for more people to vote. The Constitution provides an answer for this scenario, as well. Taiwanese voters will do more than just choose their next president and legislature when they go to the polls in January 2024: They will help set the course for US-China relations for . Furthermore, increased voter engagement earlier in the election processin primaries, when the candidates are decidedsustains momentum for the leaders within these communities whose platforms answer to historic underrepresentation. I believe the popular vote would be best in my opinion. if a person can win the popular vote but looses the electoral vote. Why does your vote matter? Join the discussion - Spartan Newsroom Our government is supposed to be of, by & for the people. At Next100, his work focuses on dismantling the collateral consequences of incarceration, policies that have impacted him personally as a formerly incarcerated individual. Residents in some states can preregister to vote as young as 16 to ensure they are already registered by their 18th birthdays. There is no level of government that is more directly responsible for serving your community than your local elected officials. For example, in Takoma Park, an average of 39 out of 2,900, or about 1 percent of non-citizens, have actually shown up to vote in local elections since 1993. The ordinance, which is labeled as No. The state's turnout among registered voters in presidential election years usually falls between 70 and 80 percent, a respectable rate. Not voting when you can means surrendering to these threats and acquiescing in efforts to silence us. Why Local Elections Matter. By Melissa Wyatt | by Rock the Vote | Medium Without voting, you cannot directly express what policies and issues you are passionate about; voting helps you shape your community and, by extension, the country by choosing to elect candidates, which reflect your unique views. Situational early voters are people who must vote early because they are away from their homes, like our military deployed abroad, or are too ill to make it to the polls. Participating in local and federal elections is one way for people to support policies that serve their communities needs and ensure they have a say in the decisions that benefitsociety. The article has touched on a good point. My opinion only, do not believe in government anymore, to corrupt. That the first political party was inacted 100yrs after we declared our independence and that was to give our form of government a title for the world of being a democracy. He seems to be convinced that he won. ); Your email address will not be published. showDescription: false, Does Your Vote Really Matter? Here are 5 reasons why your vote matters. But it seems like such a dull topic. The right to vote is probably one of the most important elements of democracy. In the main, voters do get to let their voices be heard through the act of voting. Im 52 and have only voted once because the Electoral College makes my vote meaningless both as a conservative in California and a conservative in Idaho. No wonder folks in places like Norway & Sweden are happiest because their governments are Full Democraciesthe will of the people-not a select few who can be subject to manipulation in the electoral college! If enough people vote in yourdistrict or county, your ballot can increase your preferred candidates chances of winning an election and help get policies passed that reflect your values and your communitys needs. h5: "Related Stories", We need campaigns that engage people on the issues at stake and that refuse to put any politician on a pedestal: these voters, we can attest, want not idols, but cold, hard facts and paths towards solutions. Julia Kirschenbaum Michael Li Last Updated: June 9, 2023 Published: August 10, 2021 Duane Howell/The Denver Post via Getty Images Gerrymandering & Fair Representation Redistricting The electoral college and the U.S. Constitution are antiquated relics of an era in U.S. history that enabled and committed genocide against the the Native American population, enslaved the black man, women and child to harvest the biggest cash crop of the day, which was cotton. It is quite sickening! So are our families and communities. For anyone who gets the ballot delivered to their doorstep, there is no real excuse for opting out of democratic participation. Sentencing Project study, which surveyed formerly incarcerated individuals in Connecticut, New York, and Ohio, A 2014 study exploring voter registration and turnout data for the formerly incarcerated in Iowa, Rhode Island, and Maine, including ten towns in Maryland, allow their non-citizen residents. Sooo 100yrs not bad for a country of alleged dumbasses. This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. }; How will the volunteer react, once they realize that we are of no value to their efforts? The first reason for this is because we aren't old enough to vote yet. An if the electoral votes is necessary then the candidate that has the most popular votes should win those electoral votes period. Grades 5 - 12 Subjects Social Studies, Civics, U.S. History Image Americans Voting Very saddened by the state of our country. By checking this box you hereby agree to hold Client Name, including its doctors and affiliates, harmless from any hacking or any other unauthorized use of your personal information by outside parties. We value diversity across multiple dimensions, including but not limited to: race, color, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, country of origin, religious belief, disability status, and age. Reviewed by. Is it because we see voting is an isolated, solitary activity? Generally, you look for those representatives that most closely share your views. We will not deny itworking in policy has made us acutely aware of how important voting is, both how easily it can be taken for granted, and how damaging it is when one doesnt exercise their right. Ahead of the next US election, here are seven facts to get excited about your role in the electoralprocess. Absolutely the Electoral College system should be abolished and the popular vote be the one that determines who will be president. Home - Elections - LibGuides at Montgomery Bell Academy
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