Arguments Against Voting

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Voting is a fundamental process that keeps our government system operating. Through elections, citizens have the ability to decide who will represent their beliefs in government. In addition, funding or support for community measures and social issues can be decided. Those who choose not to partake in this system are not utilizing their constitutional rights. People have many reasons to not vote, mostly because they feel their votes won’t count, they are too busy, or because of registration requirements. Despite the cause of a low turnout rate at the polls, the consequences are impactful and indefensible to our government. Most Americans would admit that they are in favor of having the ability to vote for their choice of candidate. However, statistics developed by FairVote found that less than 60% of eligible population has voted in recent presidential elections. Midterm, primary, and local elections, have even lower turnout rates. One of the causes of …show more content…

By not voting, individuals are enabling candidates, who possibly do not align with their own personal beliefs, to be elected. Relying on others to support one’s own choice of candidate is not a reliable system. Many non-voters believe their vote will not impact the results, however, that is not accurate. As seen in the 1960 presidential election, not only were the electoral vote incredibly close, but John F. Kennedy beat Richard Nixon by a mere 113,000 votes. Nixon could have won the popular vote if small percentage of voters decided to vote for him. Results are even closer in local elections, and despite them often having a direct impact on communities, people still fail to cast a vote. Typically, only one in five voters participate in local elections. In 2015, a local election in Texas decided one seven local issues by one vote or a tie. By not voting, individuals are enabling opposing candidates, laws, and regulations to

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