It appears that, currently, there is much disillusionment concerning the state of government and in the American political sphere. Voter turnout is at a dangerous low in the United States, perhaps reflecting this loss of faith in political institutions and politicians alike; for example, in 2012 the amount of citizens that exercised their right to vote hovered just above a disappointing 54%. This poor turnout rate parallels young people's disinterest in politics, as well as the overall lack of faith that surrounds Congress in America.
Ever since the American Revolution in 1776, America has prided itself on its two guiding principles that act as essential cornerstones to the general ethos of the country: freedom and democracy. It is clear that these two ideological concepts go hand in hand as they form the bedrock of American culture. However, how democratic and how representative is American government if only half of the population elects the political leaders? Certainly, how free is a society where half of the constituents did not have a voice in the general election? These are complex questions to answer. It is not made easier given that some of the strategies used by other countries, such as Belgium and Australia, would be unlikely to take root in the United States.
In Australia the voter turnout is one of the highest in the world, with a reported 94% turnout rate in the last federal election.This is because both Belgium and Australia, among other countries, have introduced a system that essentially implements compulsory voting. What is more, there are consequences for not fulfilling your right to vote, a small fine, that amounts to around $20 and the possibility of a day in court.
This is not the only method to increase voter turnout, however. In France, at the age of 18 all youth are automatically registered to vote, removing another hurdle or factor that may deter someone from voting in the general election. Certainly, the aim behind this is to encourage voting by facilitating the ease and convenience of the practice. In the same vein, Australia has recently taken action to move the day of voting to the weekend, in order to ensure that those citizens who have work commitments are able to vote. This recent change may be favourable, given that 'voting ease' is an influential factor in voter turnout.
Clearly, there are various methods that are exploitable in order to increase and encourage voter turnout in the United States. Voter turnout is continuing to decline in this country, which likely reflects the mentality and attitudes held toward both the political institutions and current politicians. Increasing voter turnout is something that should be at the forefront of our minds and considered seriously by our politicians. There are no disadvantages to increasing voter turnout in the U.S; the only possible outcome is the growth and maturation of this country's democracy and the resulting expansion of freedom.
There is a lot of apathy, currently, toward the political system as people believe that their vote 'won't count' or that it is unimportant. The exact opposite is true. Your vote is a reflection of your voice. Every single American citizen holds tremendous power in their right to vote; I encourage they exercise this privilege.
