The Importance Of Voter Participation In The United States

In the article “The Myth of the Vanishing Voter” by Michael P. McDonald and Samuel L. Popkin, it is argued that the decline in voter participation in national elections since 1972 is an illusion created by the Bureau of the Census because it uses the voting-age population to calculate voter turnout instead of calculating the population of citizens who are eligible to vote (2001, 963).

In my position I agree to lower the age of voting to 16-17 years old because it can raise up the percentage of voting. Many people are not voting because they don't believe it can help them and their community also with the support from 16-17 years old, it can show a huge difference on how the votes are increasing little by little. Also it can gives them experience on what's the voting like. Once they get older, they will know what to do because they registered the vote in an

In our system of government we are privileged with the option to take part in the political process that runs the country. It is our right to vote that lets the people influence change in policy and set the guidelines that politicians must follow to be elected representatives. This precious ability, which is most coveted in most non-democratic countries, is taken for granted in our own.

One study ranks the U.S. 120th on a list of 169 nations compared on voter turnout (Pintor, Gratschew, & Sullivan, 2002). While during the last decade many initiatives have been undertaken to increase voter participation, concerns

Factors such as competitiveness of upcoming elections and demographics play roles in determining voter turnout. Voting rates historically vary widely among states. In a given election year, many factors contribute to the number of state citizens going to the polls. In presidential elections, citizens of less competitive states go to the polls less often than in states where outcome is less certain. Election type also influences voter turnout. Fewer voters across all states turn out for primary elections and local elections. Among demographic factors, age and race influence voter turnout. Younger Americans and certain minorities, including Latin Americans and Asian-Americans, historically cast votes less frequently than older citizens,

The United States national elections have been experiencing a steady decline of eligible voters showing up to vote. This steady decline has been ongoing since experiencing a significant increase in voter turnout from 1948 through 1960. Over the years there has been significant, meticulous research done to try to pinpoint the cause of the decline in voter turnout over years. All of this research has led to the production of an enormous number of literatures written on the perceived causes. The vast amount of literature produced has led to a number of competing explanations about this decline. The quest for the answer to the question of, why this decline in voter turnout, is very important for an overwhelming majority of Americans and

During 1776, most people were still not given the privilege to vote. The right to vote during that time was correspondent with freedom and citizenship after the Declaration of Independence was signed. In 1776, Maryland Gazettee, a newspaper in America, created “The Right to Free Suffrage,” which was a document about the United States after the Declaration of Independence was signed and some of the set of rules that was provide with it. Which raised the question and fair election and how could a government be formed if there are deprived from their voting right. This primary source demonstrated that everyone should have the right to vote and not anyone should get excluded from their voting right.

Voter turnout has not been above sixty percent since 1968 and has not been above seventy percent since 1900. These numbers are significantly lower during midterm elections, which dip into the thirty percent range. Voter turnout is drastically lower than many other countries, placing the United States near the bottom when compared to other democracies. There are many factors that have contributed to the decline in voter participation (Patterson 170) (“Voter Turnout Data”) (“Voter Turnout in Presidential

Voter turnout has decreased on a national level throughout the years, even in presidential elections. On a nationwide scale, voter turnout is lowest in

Voter turnout is commonly regarded as one of the most distinct issues within American politics of the last century. Though the United States once averaged a turnout rate of 78% of eligible voters in presidential elections between 1860 and 19001, the average voter turnout of the 21st century has fallen to around 52%2. The cause of the marked decline throughout the 20th century is often attributed simply to voter apathy, but the issue is much more complex. Upon analysis, it is clear that a number of factors have contributed to the decreased rate of voter turnout, of which voter apathy is perhaps the least influential. The decline in voter turnout in presidential elections from the 19th to the 20th century is most likely a result of the instatement of the Australian ballot, the structure of the American election system, and an increased disillusionment with the government over the last century.

King argues that the decline in voter turnout is attributed to disinterest in politics and presidential candidates. The article goes

There are six types of voter participation but voting is by far the most common form of political participation. People participate in elections because of their strong sense of civil duty they have but many people tend not to because political parties aren’t as forceful in getting it’s members to vote than in other places. People that vote are usually educated, older, and have a higher income, Throughout the history of the United States o America, many of the citizens have been suppressed in regarding their right to vote. Even though most of the citizens, that are old enough, are eligible to vote there is still low voter turn out. Low voter turnout is most commonly explained by apathy among citizens and problems with registration. Campaigns become more personalistic when they are for primary elections, there is a reliance on the candidate’s image, and there is decline in party identification. There is a lot of strategy involved in political campaigns. The overall strategy should be to appeal to voters in a party for that party’s nomination even if it means becoming more radical so that way you can attract the main group of that party. Once the nomination is secured it is better to have more centrist views to convince those of the opposite party whose votes are wavering, to vote for the candidate. The main reasons that

We should maintain the required age to vote at 18, because young people do not get out and vote. In 2012, only 38% 18 - 24 year olds even voted, lowering the voting age down to 16 would only bring our participation percentage even further down. Having a 16 year old vote also raises a lot of questions rather their votes were influenced by older people or just who their friends are going to vote for. I think we should maintain our voting age at 18 because older people are more likely to pay attention to politics and understand what they will need from a candidate.

There has been a debate about lowering the U.S.A's legal voting age from 18 to 16 years old. There are some people are against it, arguing that the younger generation shows no interest in politics. Others believe that lowering the voting age by two years could potentionally show positive results.

In my opinion, I do not believe they should lower the voting age to 16. I feel this way, because I do not think at the age of 16 they truly understand how politics works.I am gonna be 39 and I still do not understand how it all works. Like the artical states,according to U.S. Cenus Bureau report,"only 38% of voters in the 18 - 24 age group voted in 2012". I do not believe those numbers will increase by allowing 16 year olds to vote.I also agree with the artical, "that we should not add the least engaged part of our population to the electorate".