Americas voting problem
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Americas voting problem

Voter turnout is lower than it has been in decades, how do we fix that?

7
Americas voting problem
Robert Stinnett

Despite last year’s elections being one of the highest stake elections in recent memories, voter turnout was the worst it had been in decades. The percentage of adult age voters who cast ballots was 55%, the lowest since 1996. What’s driving this lack of voter turnout? Voter apathy, barriers to voter registration, and a feeling that none of the options on the ballot truly represent the beliefs or values of the voters. Despite all of this, there are a number of valid reasons to get out to the polls, and a number of ways we can motivate and enable voters to turnout.

The best way to increase voter turnout in the country would be to remove some of the barriers that are currently preventing people from voting. Many people cite a lack of time as their reason not to vote. This could be remedied by making Election Day a national holiday. In addition, more states could start accepting mail-in ballots and providing early voting opportunities. This way, if someone happens to be busy on Election Day itself they would still be able to vote.

An inability to get to the polls isn’t the only thing stopping people from voting however. Many have the time to vote, but are so jaded by the current political system that they don’t feel as if their vote really matters. In presidential elections in particular some feel as if their vote doesn’t matter due to the volume of votes. A potential way to get around this would be to emphasize the importance of local and state level elections. Although some policy decisions made on a national scales have a direct effect on citizens, for the most part the decisions that will affect ones day-to-day life the most are made on the state or local level. This smaller scale allows for more meaningful political involvement as any vote carries a heavier weight than it would at a national level.

The political system itself may also need to be changed to ensure that a greater variety of candidates can be nominated to significant positions. Presently, only two real political parties of significance exist. Because of this many people don’t feel like there is somebody on the ballot that truly represents their best interests. This feeling contributed to the campaigns of outsiders such as Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders along with a general distrust of establishment politics and government.

There is also a certain segment of the opposition that simply meets anything to do politics related with apathy. The unfortunate reality is that lots of people consider politics and any news related to it boring and/or depressing. Many people are caught up in day-to-day life and don’t have the time or energy to get themselves involved in something they don’t have a passion for. This is a difficult issue to remedy, but a solution may lie in how we educate young people about politics. In my experience, most political science or American government classes I’ve taken have been very dry, painstakingly factual lessons on the various structures of government. This isn’t the way to make people passionate about politics. While it is important to understand the various structures of government and how they work, dumping all of this information into the brains of teenagers will bore them at best and give them a strong dislike of politics at worst. Political science classes at the high school level should focus on the various issues and policies that are dealt with in politics and government. These classes should show how these issues and policies could have direct impacts on students. These classes need to show that politics can have a real impact on the average person, and that they can play an active role in deciding what that impact is.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

48858
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

31073
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

954869
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180183
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments