Voting In America Essay

541 Words2 Pages

In the 242 years since America declared independence, there has been a slow but consistent trend toward the inclusion of more citizens in voting. Gone are the days in which exclusively landowning white males over the age of 21 decide the future of a nation. Any 18-year-old citizen, of any race or gender, can vote for local, state, and national officials. It is only natural that a nation of such democratic origins continues on a path of inclusion, especially for those capable, educated, and with a fresh perspective, such as 16 and 17-year-olds. Teens are being taxed, but not represented in government. According to Youth Rights, “80% of high school students work at some point before graduation (Youth Rights).” Working causes taxation automatically, so competent, capable 16 and 17-year-olds are being ignored in government proceedings despite their contributions to the country as a whole. Taxation without representation is one of the reasons The Revolutionary War was fought, but is now perpetuated by the American government itself. Nothing in such a …show more content…

According to the Senate Judiciary Committee supporting lowering the voting age in 1971, this leads to a search for a way to contribute to change, often birthing violent or destructive pastimes, instead of the constructive act of voting. Lowering the voting age would give teens the power to change the world, thus empowering and rejuvenating a politically wary social group. Politicians have no reason to care about the interests of 16 and 17-year-olds under current law, in contrast, with the proposed law, politicians would be required to fight for the interests of said younger group to keep their job. Bolstering the morale and democratic ideals of a struggling adolescent generation is a massive effect this small alteration in current legislation would

Voting Age in Canada
1821 Words | 4 Pages
The young as well as the older people of Canada seem to be in a deadlock. The question of if the federal government should or should not lower the voting age is a question debated surely around the dinner tables of families in Canada, as well as in the ranks of the government. Some people even suggest that the age needs to be raised. What would make people want the voting age to be lowered to an even lower age than the young adult age of 18? On the other hand how can the youth of Canada who have their own individual views be able to make a difference without being able to vote? Both sides provide for an intriguing look into the facts and resolutions for an appropriate way to either change the voting age or keep it the same. Throughout this paper I will look at and analyze the arguments of the youth who claim to be 'disenfranchised', as well as others who see the lowering of the voting age to be detrimental rather than an improvement to the Government of Canada's political process. In 1854, before Canada became a responsible government the only people allowed to vote were people who had a high value of land which they owned, and had a high income. Women and people with other ethnic backgrounds and religious beliefs were also denied the right to vote. This did not mean that these people did not have their views and beliefs on who and what they wanted in their government but rather they were denied the right. These laws have changed since then drastically and Canada has become a democratic country (rule by the people). However, the frustration of not being able to vote and support their ideals and politicians does live on in the hearts and minds of thousands of young Canadians under the age of eighteen. The...
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The Deep Democracy In America Summary
780 Words | 2 Pages
It is our civic right and duty to actively participate in governmental affairs. This recent election really highlighted the divide in opinion regarding the importance of governmental participation. “To many, our democratic system seems so broken that they have simply lost faith that their participation could really matter,” West writes in his essay entitled The Deep Democratic Tradition in America. Young people feel unimportant and irrelevant, which explains the lack in turnout from young voters ages 18-29. However, it wasn’t just young voters that didn’t turnout. Millions of eligible voters didn’t show up for the 2016 elections. A democracy without active participants is a democracy bound for
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Essay On Mandatory Voting
627 Words | 2 Pages
To enforce voting to be mandatory , this will prompt more Americans to pay attention to the choices for their representatives. Mandating would stimulate the demand side, motivating voters to understand and acknowledge who they are voting for. Therefore , voting is to be a responsibility than a option.
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The Importance of Voting in America
1421 Words | 3 Pages
Many people think of the 206 million eligible voters in the United States and think, “How could one vote possibly make a difference?” Or perhaps some find themselves too busy, while other non-voters are simply uninterested in politics. With a combination of all excuses, about 75 million people that were eligible to vote in the 2008 presidential election chose not to. That’s 75 million unheard voices! 75 million unrepresented individuals make up approximately 36% of all eligible voters. That number of people could easily change the outcome of an election. When put in perspective and fully understood, it’s realized just how important it is for every eligible voter to vote, and do so responsibly. The significance of voting is commonly misunderstood. Voting determines things from the president of the United States, to a small town mayor, to representatives, which all in turn determine everything from war, to taxes, to a child’s education. This country was politically formed into something previously unknown to the world, and with citizenship to this great country and democracy, comes great responsibility. It is a right as U.S. citizens to choose to vote or not; however, it is a duty and obligation to do so, for the sake of those who have fought, for friends and family, and for this country as a whole.
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Essay On Voting In America
423 Words | 1 Pages
Today in America, less than half of young voters between the ages of 18 and 24 vote (TheBestColleges.org). What most of these new adults fail to realize, is that their government depends on them to vote and elect new leaders to represent their country. Many of them make excuses to avoid voting, when really, they benefit most from voting.
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Explain Why The Voting Age Should Be Changed From 18 To 18
529 Words | 2 Pages
Teens are expected to follow the law, right? So why don’t we have any say in making it? The legal voting age in the United States should be changed from 18 to 16 years old. Teenagers want to display their voices, gain civic responsibility, and choose how their government runs.
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Voting Age
629 Words | 2 Pages
Voting is an important civic duty that United States citizens earn when they become 18 years old. Some citizens in the United States wish to change this age to 16. Today’s society views 16 year olds as ignorant, care free, and reckless citizens who are definitely not capable of making an appropriate vote. Although some argue there is no such thing as an inappropriate vote, and that voting is not a test of knowledge, it definitely is. As school systems fail to give the required civic education youth needs, 16-year-olds will not be informed to produce quality votes. Imagine 16 year olds who have no preparation, voting for the President of the United States. There needs to be changes within the civics education before the voting age is even questioned. As well as education, 16 year olds also lack responsibility. They are growing up and are under the pressure of peers, family and media sources. With all the pressure and influences resting on their shoulders they should be able to wait two more years for their own opinions and views to develop. While waiting these 16 year olds can also develop a more concerned outlook on politics and become more engaged. Without youth interest in politics lowering the voting age would be useless. For how much work and time is put in to campaigning and engaging youth, the youth should start to show more concern for their government before the efforts are wasted.
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Voting Age
835 Words | 2 Pages
Government officials have considered lowering the voting age to sixteen from its current standard of eighteen. This would not be a wise decision because people under the age of eighteen are referred to as children for a reason. The reason is that they have clearly not completed cognitive development. In humans, a muscle located at the front of the brain, called the frontal lobe, is responsible for the reasoning skills and maturity of one’s self. This muscle is not fully advanced until the age of twenty-one. “In calm situations, teenagers can rationalize almost as well as adults. But stress can hijack what physicians call, "hot cognition" and decision-making. The frontal lobes help put the brakes on a desire for thrills and taking risk -- a building block of adolescence; but, they're also one of the last areas of the brain to develop fully”. (Source A). This statement notifies that there is no shame in the lacking understanding of a teenage brain, but that they should be given the full extent of time to mature before being handed such responsibilities as voting. Research has indicated that throughout its lifetime, the human brain undergoes changes. “You may have noticed a paradox that exists among students today. Although there are exceptions to the rule, this generation of kids is advanced intellectually, but behind emotionally. They are missing many of the marks of maturity they should possess”. (Source B). Teens also normally remain in a more insecure phase, that they eventually grow out of. However, before progressing from this phase, teens are easily swayed by their pee...
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Voting In America Essay
1022 Words | 3 Pages
The United State of America Founding Fathers created a lasting document when they wrote the declaration of independence in 1776. A document, which was not created right after the Revolution War, was won by the colonies over the British Empire. Through this document they left the ability of the citizens to have a voice in how the government is run and who runs it. With the addition of the Bill of Rights, the Founding Father allowed citizens to know their basic rights are always going to be protected. Voting is a key function of the country as it allows people to vote on the people they want in power. The sole act of voting is not enough because people need to exercise their first amendment rights. Through this right the Citizens of the United
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The Role Of Voting In The United States
1993 Words | 4 Pages
With the last eight years of Barack Obama’s presidency, the percentage of eligible voters that actually vote in the U.S. General and Primary elections has been steadily declining at an unprecedented rate that hasn’t been seen in decades. Various socioeconomic factors come to affect these percentages like age, race and gender. The lack of political efficacy also has a noticeable effect in the electorate, caused by opposition towards the democratic and republican party but, there are many ways we can increase the public's interests in politics and voting.
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Should Eighteen Year Olds Be Able To Vote?
540 Words | 2 Pages
If the voting age was lowered, them the youth voting rate would probably be even lower. Most teenagers don't even know much about politics till they take a United States government course which will usually be when they are sixteen or seventeen years old. Sure, there are mature teenagers who vote not because their friend is voting for one particular candidate, but because they care about our country. Many teenagers will abuse voting, though. "One bad apple can spoil the bunch," is a good example for this instance. If teenagers were to leave their homes and get jobs and try to support themselves, just think of how disastrous that would
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Capitalism: The Role Of Politics In The United States
205 Words | 1 Pages
In the United States of America, law-abiding citizens over the age of 18 get a fair in vote in their country's politics. At least, they're supposed to. The reality is, even though qualifying residents DO get a vote, the only vote that really counts is that of billionaires and large corporations. Capitalism, or a political and economic system controlled largely by private owners for profit, has taken over the U.S.
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Essay On Compulsory Voting
797 Words | 2 Pages
There has been much debate about the legalisation of compulsory voting throughout political history and more importantly its place in a democratic society. Compulsory voting at a Commonwealth level was recognised in Australia in 1924 under section 245(1) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act as stated: “It shall be the duty of every elector to vote at each election” (Australian Electoral Commission, 2011). Since the introduction of compulsory voting there has been both strong advocacy and opposition in terms of its legitimacy in society, which this essay will highlight through the concept of its consistency with representative democracy and its ability to ensure parties reflect the will of all people. On the contrary, opponents argue that it increases the number of safe seat electorates as well as forcing the ill informed to vote.
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Essay On Voting Behavior
547 Words | 2 Pages
Voting is a political liberty of many law-abiding citizens of the United States of America. In today’s culture, there is a widespread belief that America’s youth do not vote, and in turn possess the lowest voter turnout amongst citizens. This research will discuss the voting behavior of America’s youth as it relates to their older counterparts. With young people accounting for 21% of the eligible voting population, it is necessary for them to understand the importance their voting participation has on society (CIRCLE, 2010). America’s youth is slightly disengaged from the political world and tend to vote less often than older voters. However, this disconnect from politics does not exist because they are uninterested in political practices. Arguably, voter turnout is the lowest for youth because there is a lack of political awareness. Young adults are not properly targeted during campaign seasons and lack the necessary tools to be considered an informed voter.
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Lowering The Voting Age Essay
571 Words | 2 Pages
Politicians have been working to increase voter turnout for years. Lowering the voting age could be their new solution. Many adults only vote in elections that they find particularly interesting, like the 2016 Presidential Election, which had record voter turnout. If teens were allowed to vote at a younger age, kid’s issues would make their way to the polls. Hopefully, these new issues would interest adults and make them more likely to vote. Teens that were introduced to politics at a younger age would build the habit of voting and would be more likely to continue voting as they got older. Parents would have to drive their kids to the polls, making them more likely to vote
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