People Do Not Voting

In this year’s presidential election, citizens have been given the option to choose between two main candidates, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Many of their issues has surfaced social media, helping the majority of voters choose who they want to vote for this November. However, some individuals are choosing not to vote in the 2016 presidential election. Eric Liu, a political analyst and former speech writer, expresses his opinions on those who do not vote in his recent Ted Talk. In his speech, Eric Liu asserts that there is no such thing as not voting because by choosing not to vote, people are actually voting for those who have contrasting beliefs. Liu’s argument is, in fact, valid because when people refuse to vote, they are handing

Throughout his speech, Liu expresses many of his opinions on the need to vote. One of his main arguments is demonstrated when he states, “Not voting can be dressed up as an act of principled, passive resistance, but in fact not voting is actively handling power over to those whose interests are counter to your own, and those who would be very glad to take advantage of your absence.” Liu argues that although individuals who do not vote think they are passively resisting, they are actually giving power to the candidates that they do not want to be elected. In his speech, Liu stresses the importance of voting because people are constantly discussing the need for revolution, but some of these people choose to not vote and take action to achieve this change. Though many people at first may hear Liu’s assertion and instantly disagree, Eric Liu does have a logical point because these non-voters are giving up their vote to one of the parties that will win the election. For instance, in the 2016 presidential election, candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, have had their share of exposure in

The lack of excitement connects to one of the reasons why Eric Liu points out that citizens must find their joy and purpose in voting. Liu proposes a solution to revive the joy of voting when he claims, “What we need today is an electoral culture that is about being together. Together, in person, in loud and passionate ways, so that instead of being ‘eat your vegetables’ or ‘do your duty,’ voting can feel more like ‘join the club’ or, better yet, ‘join the party.” This is one of Liu’s valid arguments that explains how people can become more involved and interested in voting by making it exciting and not a tiresome job. Recently, voting has become very grim compared to American history where it was vibrant and full of participation. Now, people often make excuses to justify themselves for not voting. If it is not the fact that they do not want any of the candidates to win, it is another excuse. From my own observations, I have heard numerous adults claim that they can not vote because other obligations, like work, prevent them from doing this. The most common excuses are “I don’t have the time,” and “I don’t really care for politics.” Many of these people lack the motivation to get out and vote and fail to realize that voting will give people the power that they do not necessarily have. In order to pave a road to an improved government, the citizens must first play their part by going