The Responsibility of Voting

The Responsibility of Voting

Living in America gives each individual freedom. The freedom is yours to express your own opinion and to vote. Whether or not we choose to exercise these rights is the decision that every American citizen makes. Participating in our government is the single most important power that we as Americans have. Whether it is to elect officials or to amend a law, voting is not only a necessity, but a responsibility. In the 1996 and the 1998 presidential election, the voting turnout was below 50%. It has not been below 50% since 1920.

There are many reasons why citizens choose not to vote. The main reason to not vote is that people believe that their one vote will not matter. If you think that your one vote does not matter, you are wrong. A big difference could have been made in the 1994 election if all registered voters had voted. According to the Atlantic Monthly, the Republicans’ share of votes would have been reduced by 2.8% if all eligible or registered citizens would have voted. If that does not sound like a big difference, then maybe this will. Reducing the Republicans’ share of votes by 2.8% means that the Republicans would have lost 24 seats, which would have been 12 short of a majority. Time is also a big factor in voting. You have to drive to the polls, stand in line (sometimes very long lines), cast your ballot and then leave. 1% of registered voters went to the polls to vote and found the lines too long, so they left.

Ideas of making voting easier have been tossed around. Election day on a Saturday may give more of an opportunity for people to vote. Some Religious groups have been against this idea since they observe the Sabbath on Saturday. Many people have wondered, ...

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Democracy is starting to be weakened by low turnout at the polls. Steps need to be taken to help democracy survive. There still is no answer on how to encourage people to vote. American citizens should feel privileged enough to vote. It is their right and duty as an American citizen. President Clinton was only elected with less than 1/4 of support from those who could have voted.

I think that it is everybody’s right and responsibility to vote. All Hell would break loose if the right to vote was taken away. The future of keeping our country’s government together and electing worthy officials is important.

We cannot live up to our full potential as citizens of the United States if we do not make the choice to participate. Actively participating entails the responsibility of fulfilling the basic rights that we have tried so hard to obtain.