Mandatory Voting Controversy

Over the last few decades, we have seen a shift in voter participation, and involvement in the election arena rather it be national, state, and or local levels. According to Time Magazine, 2014 mid-terms voter turnout was at a 72 year low. At only 36.4% of U.S, eligible voters voted in 2014 mid-terms, down from 40.9% that voted in 2010 mid-terms. Analyst views the decline as the “millennial generation” coming into effect, which clearly indicates the age group (18-33) seems to have a significantly lower turnout rate compare to the older age groups. With less participation in state and local elections, we now face decisions such as elections in South Carolina being cancelled if the incumbent as no challenge, according to Cindi Scoppe associate editor at “The State”. This doesn’t provide ample explanation considering that the mid-terms elections do in fact represent a significant portion of state-level elections, which ultimately allows individuals to experience policies being implemented at a much greater effect. So the questions arise are we happy with single file candidates ascending to the elected office with no election? Is it the lack of interest or it doesn’t matter who’s in the seat? What does this say about the public responsibility for electing these people as our representatives to make decisions that impact our daily lives?

In 2014, about 36.4% have been registered and can vote. In the article, “Takoma Park 16-year-old savors his history-making moment at the polls,” by Annys Shin, Ben Miller had said,” I understand the apathy. How much of a difference will it really make?”, “ I’m still excited about the opportunity. The turnout is so low, even a small amount could make a difference.” He means that even many people who are not interested of voting, he is still happy that with this new voting age, it can increase the rates from

Traditionally people aged 30 to 65 years old are considered to be politically active and more likely to vote during the presidential and/or local elections. People of this age group, are most likely to own their homes, have established careers, and are apart of stable communities. As America’s stable age group, “the voters’ turnout rate is around 70 percent” (). Compared to the 30 to 60 something, the younger people are substantially less likely to vote in either the presidential and/or local elections. However, in recent years, due to the influence of social

This then leads into what is the sample size is too small and is not a great representation of the overall population. If the sample size is too small, it could lead to selection bias which is when the sample does a terrible job representing the actual ideologies of the population in that area. Push polling, which is asking questions in a way that gives the pollster the answer that is being sought out, is often another technique used to potentially skew the outcome. All of these are factors that could potentially be important when it comes to the outcome of the polls. Make sure to keep in mind that whenever a poll is taken there is always a way that someone/something can skew it to their

If I was presented with all the facts, and knew all the backgrounds of each individual polled, gleaned each question, understood the diction, and tone of the pollster, I still would not be satisfied with the results. A lot of people accept what they read as factual, I am not one of those, I question and satisfy myself with my gleaned truths.

Horsheads, N.Y. (WENY) -- Voters are heading to the polls in the southern tier and throughout New York State. This year's primary is shaping up to have a strong impact on the presidential race.

With the past 2016 presidential election, many people, old and young, from all across the country took sides with political parties and voiced their opinions on various controversial topics. Much research is currently being done to understand the outcome of the votes and the reasons voters had for choosing each candidate. One particular voting group has stood out amongst the younger voting population, and that is the youth voters who live in rural areas of the country. During the last election, the rural youth population has differed in their voting outcome compared to their peers who live in urban and suburban neighborhoods, and the possible reasons for this is particularly alarming. Since

Millions of Americans vote every four years to pick a new President. They could pick the same one or a new one. But do you think voting should be mandatory? There is some positive and negatives about mandatory voting. I believe there is more negative than positives. Mandatory voting should not be allowed.

Also before they took the poll they made sure they had people of certain age groups. After the poll was completed the separated the people into different groups and then different subgroups. Overall 25% of the were in favor of the lowering of the age and 74% opposed.

In fact, he continues to argue that although fifty percent of young adults criticize the government, only forty-one percent will actually act on those issues. The question is why do people not act on what they feel passionate about; there are infinite reasons. (Disclaimer: “they” refers to a generalization, or a fraction of the young voter population.) First, potential voters within the age range Updegrove describes have copious obligations: predominately college. Such people are busy and procrastinate on registering in a new city until it the deadline has past; they have several crucial tests to study for, so they do not focus on the imminent election; they have issues with

Although this was not the answer of all 32 million unregistered voters it was almost half,

What seems to be the problem of such a low turnout at the polls? Many youth believe that their votes simply will not count. With

The lack of places to go and vote for was a major contribution as to why the public thinks this election was phony. Maricopa county went to 400 polls in the 2008 primary vote and 200 polls in the 2012 primary vote all the way to only 60 polls in 2016 according to azcentral (O’Dell McGlade). In the county of maricopa there was one polling site for every 21,000 Arizonans who wanted to participate in the election. Along with Maricopa County being ⅔’s of arizona's votes there were 60 polls for 1.25 million voters written in an article from azcentral (Ryman, O’Dell, Cano). Because of such a large reduction of polls not as many voters had the time to wait in line

It is a curious thing to observe the modern democratic process. While I cannot vote yet, I always intently follow the news in the weeks before local elections.

1. Only 21 percent of the voting eligible population in 2014 were young adults ages 18-29 (“why student voters matter”, 2016).