essay on importance of election in democracy

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7 The Roles of Elections

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• Published: December 1997
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This chapter examines the role of elections in the democratic process. It aims to provide an alternative structure for considering the expectations about, and evaluative standards for, elections raised by democratic theories. It discusses the equality element of democracy and suggests that though elections play a central role in all theories of democracy, the specific functions of elections vary tremendously from one conception of democracy to another. It concludes that a valid connection between electoral institutions and democratic values must be based on an accurate picture of the options available in the design of those institutions and of the consequences of choosing one option rather than another.

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Essay on Election and Democracy for Students and Children

500 words essay on election and democracy.

A democratic government is said to be the best kind of government. It ensures the active participation of the people where the citizens get the chance to choose their government. The candidate or party whom the people choose is through elections.

Therefore, we see how elections play a pivotal role in a democracy. The party which secures the highest number of votes in the election process forms the government for the next term. That is why we see how elections are greatly crucial for a democracy.

Election Process in a Democracy

The election process in a democracy is usually similar in most ways. It is responsible for shaping the government of a democracy. Elections are conducted at regular intervals. In a democracy like India, they take place every five years. A committee is set to monitor the whole electoral procedure from the voters’ list to the results.

During the election process, various parties enroll themselves to contest in the elections. After thorough campaigning and more, dates are decided on which voting happens. People turn up in great numbers to cast their votes to make their candidate or party win.

Most importantly, in a democracy, the election process follows the method of a secret ballot. It is very beneficial for maintaining the fairness of the contest. Moreover, they also protect the privacy and safety of the voter as they are not liable to answer to anyone regarding their vote. It is one of the fairest ways to decide who wins the election.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Importance of Election in Democracy

The election procedure just shows how important and crucial it is for a democracy. The process is very grand and takes place on a great level. As it requires a lot of work and attention, there are certain people who specifically get the responsibility of handling and managing the entire process.

Elections form the basis of democracy. They are very important as they help the people in getting a chance to contest the elections. It allows people to get a fair chance to work for their country and make a brighter future. Moreover, it also ensures that any person can become a part of the government without any discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, sex, religion or more.

Most importantly, elections entrust a big responsibility on the shoulders of the citizens. It helps in empowering the citizens of a democracy. You see that when a person earns the right to vote, they choose their government responsibly as they realize the power that lies within their hands.

Above all, the election process ensures fair play. They are a great way of preventing dishonest people from rigging the procedure. In short, fair and regular elections are a vital part of a democratic government. Similarly, they empower the common citizens of the nation to elect their government and also change it after a period of time to ensure everyone works for the best in the country.

FAQs on Election and Democracy

Q.1 What is the election process in a democracy?

A.1 The election process takes place at a regular period of time. People cast their vote to whomever they think id serving of being in power. Thus, the party with the majority of votes wins and serves the term.

Q.2 Why are elections important in a democracy?

A.2 Elections form the basis of any democracy. It ensures that the power resides within the people. It also ensures fair play and stops any unfair means from taking place. They are important to strengthen the essence of democracy.

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How The 2020 Election Has Changed Trust In U.S. Democracy

NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks with Brendan Nyhan, professor of government at Dartmouth College, about the erosion of democratic norms as some dispute the 2020 election results.

Copyright © 2020 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

Home — Essay Samples — Government & Politics — Voting — The Importance of Voting for Strengthening Democracy

The Importance of Voting for Strengthening Democracy

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Published: Sep 5, 2023

Words: 630 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

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Shaping government policies, promoting representation and inclusivity, fostering civic participation, challenges and the importance of overcoming them.

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What Can Improve Democracy?

5. electoral reform and direct democracy, table of contents.

• How politicians can improve
• Calls for systemic reform
• For many respondents, fixing democracy begins with the people
• It's difficult to please everyone
• Economic reform and basic needs
• No changes and no solutions – or at least no democratic ones
• Road map for this research project
• Politicians
• Changing leadership
• Political parties
• Government reform
• Special interests
• Media reform
• Economic reform
• Policies and legislation
• Citizen behavior
• Individual rights and equality
• Electoral reform
• Direct democracy
• Rule of law
• Ensuring safety
• The judicial system
• Codebook development
• Coding responses
• Collapsing codes for analysis
• Characteristics of the responses
• Selection of quotes
• About Pew Research Center’s Spring 2023 Global Attitudes Survey
• The American Trends Panel survey methodology
• Appendix C: Codebook
• Appendix D: Political categorization
• Classifying parties as populist
• Classifying parties as left, right or center
• Acknowledgments

Free and fair elections are a critical element of a healthy democratic system . And in many of the 24 countries surveyed, reforming how elections and the electoral system work is a key priority. People want both large-scale, systemic changes – such as switching from first-past-the-post to proportional representation – as well as smaller-scale issues like making Election Day a holiday.

Many people link these changes to greater citizen representation, whether it’s because they allow people to vote more easily or because their votes can be more readily and accurately converted into representation.

But some people take it even a step further, arguing for their country to have more direct democracy . Particularly in France and Germany, where direct democracy is the second-most suggested change, people want to have more chances to vote via referenda on topics that matter to them.

Changing the electoral system appears in the top five ranked issues in seven of the 24 countries surveyed. In Canada, Nigeria and the UK, the issue ranks second among the 17 substantive topics coded.

In six countries, those who do not support the governing party or parties are more likely to mention electoral reform than those who do support such parties. In the UK, for example, where electoral reform is ranked second only to politicians, 17% of those who do not support the ruling Conservative Party mention electoral reform, compared with 6% of Conservative Party supporters. (For more information on how we classify governing party supporters, refer to Appendix D .)

However, in the U.S. and Israel, this pattern is reversed: Those who do support the governing parties are more likely than those who do not to mention electoral reform as an improvement to democracy.

“People should have the right to choose their leaders through a free and fair election.” Woman, 20, Nigeria

Across the countries surveyed, people want to see a wide range of electoral reforms. Some of these focus on the logistics of casting votes – how and when people vote , and who is eligible . Others focus more on changing the electoral system , referencing issues like electoral thresholds and gerrymandering. And some emphasize the need to ensure free and fair elections . In Nigeria and Brazil, people who are not confident that their recent national elections were conducted fairly and accurately (as asked in a separate question in Brazil, Kenya and Nigeria) are more likely to bring up electoral reform.

Logistics of casting votes

Some of the calls for electoral reform center specifically on how ballots are cast. For example, some see benefits to electronic voting options over paper ballots, especially as a tool to protect elections: “Use modernized technology to help in security of the voting system,” said one Kenyan woman. Others see electronic ballots as an issue of convenience, particularly if it means one can vote from the comfort of their own house. As one Canadian man put it: “I think people should be able to vote electronically, using the internet and telephone instead of going to a polling station. It makes it more convenient.”

Still, in some places that have electronic voting, respondents raise concerns about this method. “End the electronic ballot box,” said a Brazilian woman. A man in India expressed his preference for paper ballots : “The use of electronic voting machines should be stopped and bring paper ballots back so that transparent democracy will be seen.”

For some Americans, increased access to absentee or mail-in voting is a specific electoral change they want to see: “Making vote-by-mail standard in every state, giving voters time to vote at their convenience, rather than having to miss work. It also gives them the time to research candidates at their leisure.” Others in the U.S. oppose mail-in voting : “Stop voter fraud! Go back to voting on Election Day. Enough with this all-month voting and mail-in votes,” wrote one American woman. “Stop mail-in ballots unless for military or another exempt person,” echoed a man. There are large partisan divides in U.S. views of voting methods , and more Democrats cast absentee votes than Republicans.

When people vote

People also see the need to change the frequency of elections . Some request fewer elections so that officeholders spend less of their term campaigning for reelection: One Australian man wanted to “lengthen the period between federal elections to five years.” Others want to see more elections, like a Canadian woman who said, “Do not have an election every four years; it should be every two years,” or a Nigerian woman who wanted her government to “conduct elections every two years, or frequently.” One South African woman went so far as to say, “Elections should be held every year.”

Some in the U.S. (where national elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November) call for making Election Day a holiday . The U.S. is one of few advanced economies that does not hold elections over the weekend or designate the day a national holiday. For example, one American man said, “Create a national voting holiday to ensure every American has a chance to vote.” Another person said, “Eliminate voter suppression. Make Election Day a national holiday. Make voting as easy as mailing a letter.”

Who gets to vote

Making changes to who is allowed to participate in elections is another means people see to improve their democracy. For example, some want to alter the age at which citizens become eligible to cast their votes . For those who want to lower it, the argument centers around allowing more young people to participate in elections: “Lowering the voting age to 16, now young people have more stake in the game,” suggested a Canadian man. An American man had a similar opinion, saying, “I think lowering the age for voting would help democracy, because many teens as young as 16 already have views about policies in the U.S.”

Not all are in favor of lowering the voting age, however. As one Swedish man put it: “Raise the voting age. People at 18 need to take their electoral mandate more seriously.”

“There should be a voter’s license, and voters should take a civics test. Informed voting is the crux of democracy.” Man, 76, Italy

Others feel voters need to pass a knowledge test in order to cast a vote. “The right to vote should be bound by educational attainment,” said a man in Hungary. An Italian man said, “Those who want to vote should pass a test of general culture before the elections.” And a woman in Sweden was specific on this policy: “One should know what you’re voting for, a little mini test so you know what you’re voting for. A driver’s license to vote.” (For more on perceived citizen responsibility, read Chapter 4 .)

In some countries, though, there are calls to protect people’s existing right to vote . In the U.S., where voter suppression has become an electoral issue, several people were vocal about protecting the right to vote. “Abolish state laws that restrict voters’ rights,” suggested one American man. An Australian man focused specifically on protecting voting rights for Aboriginal people: “Ensure Indigenous voters have the opportunity to vote in all circumstances.” Certain respondents even want to enfranchise new types of voters: “Open the right to vote to all permanent residents, such as all Europeans who live in France,” said one French woman.

Mandatory voting

“To oblige every citizen to vote and influence according to law.” Man, 68, Israel

Respondents in some places went as far as suggesting that voting in elections and referenda be required as a means to improve democracy. One Greek woman said, “All citizens should be forced to vote on very important laws and decisions for the country.” A man in the Netherlands saw mandatory voting as a way to improve voter turnout: “Compulsory voting should be reintroduced. For provincial council elections, turnout is only 50% to 60%. Introducing compulsory voting could improve this.”

Still, not everyone who lives in a country that has mandatory voting approves of it. “Don’t make it compulsory to vote for someone. That way, the people who really care will have their vote and those who don’t care won’t just pick the first person on the sheet or the one with the best name with no idea who they are voting for,” said one Australian woman. Another Australian shared a similar view: “I would like to see the scrapping of compulsory voting, as this will mean political parties will need to work harder for votes.” And, in Argentina, where voting is mandatory for most citizens, some respondents called for its overhaul – “that voting is not compulsory.”

Changing the electoral system

“Election law reform. Stop voting by region and switch to a national election where one can choose the winner based on the highest number of votes nationwide.” Woman, 63, Japan

People also call for a different style of voting than they currently have. For example, some focus on implementing a first-past-the-post voting system (in which people vote for a single candidate and the candidate with the most votes wins). As one Australian man put it: “Introduce first-past-the-post voting , dispensing with preferential voting, as the minor parties are making every government difficult to operate.”

Other people value proportional representation , a system where politicians hold the number of seats proportional to their party’s support in the voting population. “Reintroduce the proportional representation voting system and ensure accountability by elected officials,” said a South African man. And a French woman said, “All representatives should be elected by proportional representation.”

Some expressed frustration with ballots listing a choice of parties instead of specific candidates , as in the case of a Swedish man who said, “Direct election of people, not parties. It is better to vote for a person, you know what they think.” An Australian agreed: “Enhancing the electoral process for Australians to vote for candidates, and less for their parties.”

There are also calls for things like ranked-choice voting (“Ranked-choice voting would limit extremism.”) and two-round voting (“The kind of two-round voting system would improve democracy.”).

But no one system necessarily satisfies everyone. In some countries that already have first-past-the-post voting, for example, there are requests to eliminate it: “Get rid of first-past-the-post. The electoral system needs reform so that the representation by popular votes should have some weight,” said one man in Canada. One Japanese woman said, “Abolish the single-seat constituency system ,” referring to a type of voting that includes first-past-the-post, where one winner represents one electoral district.

Electoral threshold

“The electoral threshold should be raised, there should be fewer and larger parties.” Man, 82, Netherlands

Changes to the electoral threshold , or the minimum share of votes needed for a candidate or party to provide representation, is suggested by some as a way to improve democracy – particularly among those who live in countries with low thresholds and fragmented party systems. In Israel, where the 3.25% electoral threshold leads to many parties participating in each election, one woman said, “Significantly increase the electoral threshold.”

This sentiment is echoed in the Netherlands, where the 0.67% threshold is the lowest in the world . One Dutch man said, “I think a high electoral threshold would be good. This could lead to less fragmentation and speed up decision-making.” Another Dutch man saw this change as a means to improve the overall quality of elections: “Raise the electoral threshold, so that there will be more substance. That way not everyone can just start a party.” The Dutch survey was conducted prior to November 2023 elections , in which the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) won the most seats in the House of Representatives.

Making all votes count – or count more

Revising the borders of electoral districts is a reform some think could help increase voter representation. Gerrymandering , for example – a term coined in the U.S. to describe the practice of drawing electoral district boundaries in a way that creates an advantage for one party over another – is something that people in multiple countries flagged as a problem. For example, an Australian man said, “If we were to ban gerrymandering then each political group would have an equal chance to be elected.” In the U.S., one man said, “It would help if we got rid of gerrymandering and the Electoral College and things that suppress the majority.”

For others, voter representation is not just about physical electoral districts, but about correcting a perceived imbalance in the value of each vote . A 38-year-old Japanese man suggested “equalizing the value of votes from young people versus those of the elderly. Young people should be entitled to two votes.” This issue was also brought up in Spain: “The best thing would be one person, one vote. That is, that all votes were worth the same, that they were not counted by autonomous communities,” said one man.

The U.S. Electoral College

The Electoral College – the process by which U.S. presidential elections are decided – is a major focus of electoral reform for many Americans. One man’s response summarized this stance: “Abolition of the Electoral College to allow for direct representation of individual voters rather than allowing certain states to be overrepresented compared to their population size.”

Most of the U.S. respondents who mention the Electoral College are against the process, like one woman who said, “We need to do away with the Electoral College. It was a good idea, but now it doesn’t make sense.” For many, it’s an issue of unequal representation: “The Electoral College should go away, and potentially change how senators are allotted. Sparsely populated areas have too much influence while tens of millions of city residents essentially have no say,” said another woman.

Free and fair elections

“Have transparent voting and respect who wins. And the one who loses should help the one who won and move on.” Man, 38, Argentina

People also call for more election integrity . For example, some feel there should be more transparency: “More openness in general election, no corruption, collusion or nepotism,” said a woman in Indonesia. Or, as a Nigerian man put it: “Let us have a free and fair election with transparency.” People are concerned about this issue in advanced economies as well, with one Canadian man saying, “Election integrity needs to be improved, and no outside interference.”

Others emphasize the importance of respecting election results . “Accept when a candidate loses the election and when a candidate is elected,” said a man in Brazil. An Israeli man put it simply: “Respect the results of the elections.”

“Monitor the processes more, so that there is no miscount.” Woman, 23, Mexico

Improving electoral monitoring , or the use of unbiased observers to ensure that elections are free and fair , is also a key change people want: “Supervision over the counting of votes,” as a woman in Israel said.

In Mexico, where President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has sought controversial election reforms that many believe will weaken the country’s National Electoral Institute (INE), there are specific calls to “strengthen the INE instead of wanting to destroy it,” as one man said.

A Nigerian man expressed his wish for a better institutional oversight, saying, “The electoral commission should be independent and free from interference from the ruling party.” Nigeria’s electoral commission faced criticism during the February 2023 presidential election and was accused of delaying election results .

“Consult the French people more often through referendums about important issues, life-changing issues.” Woman, 49, France

For some, a form of government where the public votes directly on proposed legislation or policies is a solution to fixing democracy.

This sentiment is particularly common in European countries: In France, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands, it appears in the top five topics mentioned.

In most other countries, it is less of a priority.

In a handful of countries (Australia, Canada, France, Greece, the Netherlands and the UK), those who do not support the governing party or coalition are more likely to mention direct democracy.

French people stand out as particularly likely to mention direct democracy

In France, direct democracy is the second-most mentioned change people want to see. French people on the ideological left are more likely to bring up this topic than those on the right. Additionally, French adults who believe most elected officials don’t care what people like them think ( as asked in a separate question ) are twice as likely to mention direct democracy as those who say most officials care what they think.

Some in France specifically reference Article 49.3 of the French Constitution , under which the government can push legislation through the National Assembly with no legislative vote: “Article 49.3, which had been established for certain situations, is being used to force through unpopular measures,” said one man. The survey was fielded in France between February and April, a period during which Article 49.3 was used to implement controversial pension reforms . Another French man criticizing Article 49.3 saw direct democracy as a clear solution, saying, “Take into account the opinion of citizens in the form of a referendum. Ask for the citizens’ opinions to avoid passing laws in the form of 49.3.”

The Swiss model

Switzerland’s political system – in which the public is able to vote directly on constitutional initiatives and policy referenda – is perceived positively by others around the world, many of whom want their own country to emulate this model. For example, one Canadian woman said, “If people could vote on important issues like in Switzerland and make decisions on important laws, that’s a true democracy there.”

“More public participation on single important topics, just like the referendums in Switzerland.” Man, 55, Germany

This viewpoint is particularly widespread across European respondents; many want their country’s democracy to resemble Switzerland’s. “It would be a good idea to go back and make decisions much more collegially, like the Swiss system,” said a French man. And a Swedish woman said, “More referenda on nuclear power, sexuality, NATO and the EU. Like Switzerland, which has referendums on many issues.” (The survey was conducted prior to Sweden joining NATO in March 2024.)

Respondents in many countries highlight the benefits of more referenda , or instances where the public votes directly on an issue. For some, a key factor is the frequency of voting . One Kenyan man responded, “Citizens should have a referendum at least once in a while to decide on major issues that affect the country.” And a German woman asked that “more referendums take place.”

“More citizen participation in real decision-making. In other countries, referendums are held expressing opinions on different issues, not like here where they vote every four years.” Man, 41, Spain

In other cases, referenda are seen as opportunities for the government to seek the public’s approval . A Mexican man explained, “Before becoming legal, reforms should pass through a citizen filter and popular consultation.” This sometimes includes ensuring that more marginalized voices get a chance to weigh in. For example, one Israeli man said, “When enacting any law, there should be a referendum where all citizens vote, whether Arabs or Jews.” And an Australian woman wished to see more perspectives reflected, calling for “more direct democracy, and more opportunities for influence by poor, multicultural and minority groups.”

In the UK, where a controversial June 2016 referendum resulted in the UK departing the European Union (known as Brexit), some still express support for direct democracy. A British woman suggested, “We need to put down more questions more polls for the public to choose new policies, new laws.” One British man even noted that a referendum could undo Brexit: “We should have a referendum that is truly reflective about Brexit and rejoining the EU.” But other Britons are more wary of direct democracy: One man said, “We should not allow the general public to make critical decisions. The general public should not be allowed to make economic decisions, for example, Brexit.”

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Importance of Elections in Democracy: Features, Reasons & Process

Election: A Basic Component of Democratic Society

Elections are a fundamental component of democratic societies , serving as a crucial mechanism for citizens to exercise their right to choose their representatives and leaders, Emphasizing the Importance of Election Process

Importance of Elections in Representative Governance

• Purpose of Elections: Elections enable people to select representatives since direct decision-making by all citizens is impractical.
• Representative Selection: It helps people to select representatives based on qualities like age, experience, or knowledge.
• Democratic Representation: Selection without elections lacks democratic features, as it does not ensure representation in line with people’s desires and choices of all sections of society.
• Choosing New Leaders: Elections ensure regular turnover of representatives and allow citizens to choose new leaders or change existing ones.
• Who will make laws for them?
• Who will form the government and take major decisions.
• The party whose policies will guide the government.

Importance of Elections in a Democracy

• Importance of Elections in Democracy: Elections have today become the most visible symbol of the Democratic Process. 
• Therefore, representatives are elected by the people and it increases the importance of elections
• Responsibility and Accountability: Regular elections entail responsibility and accountability on representatives about their policy decisions.
• Non-Democratic Elections: However, all elections are not democratic. Sometimes non-democratic countries held elections to legitimize rule. 
• Examples: Sham elections in authoritarian regimes (e.g., North Korea), controlled outcomes (e.g., Belarus).
• Democratic Election Principles: On the other hand, democratic elections ensure genuine competition, free expression, equal participation, fair representation for inclusive governance and independent monitoring.
• Ensuring Fairness and Equality: Importance of elections is to ensure democratic, transparent electoral laws, impartial election commissions, media freedom, and equal campaigning opportunities are necessary. 
• Example: In India, The Representation of People Act, of 1951 addresses fairness, freedom, impartiality, and equal representation in elections.

Exploring the Key Features of Democratic Elections

• Equal Participation: Every eligible citizen has one vote, and each vote has equal weight .
• Regularity: Elections are held periodically, ensuring a consistent democratic process.
• Reflecting People’s Will: Chosen candidates represent the preferences of the electorate.
• Free and Fair Conduct: Importance of Elections is more when they are conducted openly and fairly, allowing citizens to vote as they wish.
• Political Competition: Multiple parties and candidates contesting elections offer meaningful choices to voters.
• Peaceful Resolution: Democratic elections aim to resolve political disputes and conflicts through peaceful means rather than violence.
• Inclusivity: Importance of elections is  ensuring that marginalized and underrepresented groups have the opportunity to participate in elections.

Assessing the Merits and Demerits of Political Competition in Elections

• Importance of Elections is all about political competition. 
• The most obvious form is the competition among political parties. 
• Example:  At the Constituency level, it takes the form of competition among several candidates.

Conclusion:

Democratic elections are a cornerstone of democratic governance , enabling citizens to actively participate in shaping the direction of their nation and fostering a sense of legitimacy and accountability in the political process. India  being a democratic country has importance of elections.

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Essay on Importance of Election

Students are often asked to write an essay on Importance of Election in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Importance of Election

Introduction.

Elections are vital for a democratic society. They allow citizens to choose their leaders and express their opinions on various issues.

Significance of Elections

Elections empower people, ensuring their voices are heard. They are a tool for citizens to hold their leaders accountable.

Impact on Governance

Elections influence the quality of governance. They encourage leaders to work for the welfare of the people to secure votes.

In conclusion, elections are crucial for the functioning of democracy. They ensure the power remains with the people.

250 Words Essay on Importance of Election

The essence of democracy.

Elections constitute the backbone of a modern democratic society. They are the means through which citizens exercise their democratic rights, expressing their political preferences and choosing their representatives. Elections are a fundamental democratic process, ensuring the government’s legitimacy and people’s participation in shaping the political landscape.

Power to the People

Elections empower the populace, providing a platform for citizens to voice their opinions, concerns, and aspirations. It is through elections that ordinary people can influence policy-making, ensuring that government actions align with the public’s desires. The power to elect leaders provides a check on political authority, preventing the rise of autocracy.

Accountability and Transparency

Elections promote accountability and transparency in governance. Elected officials are answerable to the public, and their actions are subject to scrutiny. If they fail to meet the electorate’s expectations, they risk losing their positions in subsequent elections. This possibility encourages politicians to work for the public good and discourages corruption.

Peaceful Transition of Power

Elections provide a peaceful mechanism for transitioning power. In societies without democratic processes, power struggles often lead to violence and instability. Elections help avoid such scenarios by establishing a clear, peaceful process for leadership change.

In essence, elections are crucial to a functioning democracy. They empower citizens, promote accountability, and ensure peaceful transitions of power. As the next generation of voters, it is vital for college students to understand the importance of elections and actively participate in them to shape the future they desire.

500 Words Essay on Importance of Election

Elections are the cornerstone of a vibrant democracy, providing the mechanism through which citizens exercise their right to choose their representatives. They are the conduit for the expression of public will, ensuring that governance is in the hands of those who have the mandate of the people.

The Role of Elections in Democracy

Elections serve as the lifeblood of democracy. They are the means by which the populace can hold their elected officials accountable. If those in power fail to deliver on their promises or act against the interests of the people, they can be voted out in the next election. This potential outcome encourages politicians to work for the welfare of the public, thereby fostering good governance.

Elections also ensure the peaceful transfer of power. In many countries, conflicts arise when there is a dispute over leadership. Elections, when conducted fairly, can prevent such conflicts by providing a clear, transparent process for choosing leaders.

Importance of Participation in Elections

Participation in elections is a fundamental responsibility of every citizen in a democratic society. When citizens vote, they are not merely selecting a representative; they are expressing their vision for the society they want to live in. Each vote is a testament to the values, priorities, and aspirations of the voter.

Moreover, high voter turnout ensures that the elected representatives truly reflect the will of the people. If a significant portion of the population does not vote, the election results may not accurately represent the public’s preferences. Hence, every vote counts, and every citizen should strive to participate in elections.

Implications of Elections on Policy Making

Elections have a profound impact on policy-making. The elected representatives are responsible for formulating policies that address the needs and aspirations of their constituents. The direction of these policies is often influenced by the promises made during the election campaign. Therefore, elections can shape the course of a nation’s development.

Furthermore, elections can lead to policy changes by bringing new parties or individuals to power. These new entrants can introduce fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to existing problems, leading to progressive policy shifts.

In conclusion, elections play a pivotal role in shaping the democratic fabric of a society. They allow citizens to exercise their right to choose their representatives, foster accountability, and facilitate peaceful transitions of power. Participation in elections is a civic duty that ensures the elected representatives truly reflect the will of the people. The outcomes of elections significantly influence policy-making, steering the course of a nation’s development. Hence, the importance of elections in a democratic society cannot be overstated.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on One Nation One Election
• Essay on Lok Sabha Election
• Essay on General Election

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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Vision Podcast Episode 68 - Dr. Lia Merivaki and the Democracy Renewal Project Vision Podcast

In this episode, we host Dr. Lia Merivaki to discuss her project with the Democracy Renewal Project. Along the way we discuss the importance of trust in elections, the need for information to make knowledgeable decisions, and the need for democratic listening to get as many voters as possible involved in elections.

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Future of Democracy on the Ballot in 2024 

As we head into what arguably is the most important election in the history of this country — with many pundits describing it as democracy vs. fascism — progressives and their allies need to seize the moment and leverage collective power to bring about true democratic reforms.

Sitting this election out seems like a risky choice and could be a lost opportunity to bring about changes in a potential second term for President Joe Biden.

Democrats, Democratic Socialists, and Working Families Party candidates need to coalesce and create a unified platform that includes some real changes long overdue along with some promising newer and fresher ideas to create a brighter future.

That agenda could include universal health care, a living wage, affordable government-financed housing, stronger voting rights laws, codification of abortion rights, tougher pro-union laws, and a pathway to college for all Americans.

In New York State, efforts need to see through passage of the New York Health Act recently introduced again into the State Legislature. This sweeping proposal would provide quality health care for all New Yorkers while also decreasing the costs for the vast majority of New Yorkers. Such a win would put fresh energy on a nationwide push for similar changes. 

President Biden should know that a vote cast for him and other aligned progressive Democratic candidates is a vote for this agenda. If he truly seeks to continue to lead in the fashion of FDR, he would be wise to embrace these ideas as part of his platform, reaching out to the growing progressive wing of the party and country for their support.

That agenda in short:

Universal Health Care : Providing healthcare as a right to all Americans. It polls in high numbers by all Americans. And we are the only developed nation in the world that currently does not guarantee healthcare as a human right. Over 100 nations have figured a way to deliver quality health care to their people — and we are well positioned to do the same

Guaranteed Living Wage Jobs in a New Care Economy : Using the principles set forth via Modern Monetary Theory and adopting a care economy similar to the several current European models in place, we should create living wage jobs for all Americans.

Government-Funded Social Housing: Housing is a basic human right, but too many Americans live without safe and decent homes. Thanks to a system that favors the real estate lobby and big corporate landlords over tenants and homeless Americans, we are facing a historic housing crisis. The government needs to change that by supporting the building of social housing, providing pathways to home ownership for those in need of shelter.

Codification of Roe. v. Wade: A Democratic bill making choice a national protected right, undoing in the process efforts passed to restrict abortions via the Dobb decision and state legislatures.

A Stronger Pro-Union Formation Law: An update to the National Labor Relations Act that includes protective language for all workers who wish to unionize. Such legislation would prohibit firing any employee(s) who wish to form a union and apply to workers in all fields. 

Pathways to Higher Education for All: Utilizing our current state four year and two year public college and university system to provide for a free education for all students. 

Growing a true democracy in America by strengthening the party in a second Biden administration would be in the best interest of our country.

A Democratic-led U.S. Senate could and should change the filibuster rule and return the body to its past more democratic simple majority voting process. Such a change with the additional support of a Democratic-majority U.S. House of Representatives, would make it possible to secure all the above agenda items and more as we move the country to a much more stable footing. 

Congress could and should remove their artificial spending limits to spending bills to best fund via MMT guidelines these big society programs. 

In the end, the disappearing GOP would be replaced by a more functioning political party, paving way for positive changes. In short order, the fears of fascism would be replaced by the creation of a Second Progressive Era — bigger and bolder than the first — ushering real changes for all Americans. 

While many progressives have distanced themselves from President Biden’s stance on the Israel-Hama war, there is now some room for him to  reach back to the left of the party and country with his current Gaza humanitarian relief efforts. 

In this highly divided time, let’s use this opportunity to further the causes of the people — to build a country that serves the needs of the many, not just the few. The cure for our current divided time is a social democracy — one worth voting and fighting for.

The author serves on the Executive Committee of the New York Progressive Action Network and on the Steering Committee of Long Island Activists

About the Author

Timothy Bolger

Timothy Bolger is the Editor in Chief of the Long Island Press who’s been working to uncover unreported stories since shortly after it launched in 2003. When he’s not editing, getting hassled by The Man or fielding cold calls to the newsroom, he covers crime, general interest and political news in addition to reporting longer, sometimes investigative features. He won’t be happy until everyone is as pissed off as he is about how screwed up Lawn Guyland is.

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Guest Essay

Europe Is About to Drown in the River of the Radical Right

Ms. Ypi, a professor of political theory at the London School of Economics, wrote from London.

Europe is awash with worry. Ahead of parliamentary elections widely expected to deliver gains to the hard right, European leaders can barely conceal their anxiety. In a speech in late April, President Emmanuel Macron of France captured the prevailing mood. After eloquently warning of threats to the continent, he pronounced the need for a newly powerful Europe, a “Europe puissance.”

As I watched the speech , I was reminded of Niccolò Machiavelli’s comments in the opening pages of “The Prince,” his seminal 16th-century treatise on political power. In a dedication to Lorenzo de’ Medici, the ruler of the Florentine Republic, Machiavelli suggested that politics is in many ways like art. Just as landscape painters imaginatively place themselves in the plains to examine the mountains and on top of mountains to study the plains, so too should rulers inhabit their domains. “To know the nature of the people well, one must be a prince,” Machiavelli wrote, “and to know the nature of princes well, one must be of the people.”

Here was a politician grappling with the first part of Machiavelli’s sentence, an officeholder trying to comprehend the lay of the land. What is power in contemporary Europe, and how should it be exercised by the European Union? Mr. Macron answered in princely fashion, showing awareness of both the finite nature of every political community — Europe is “mortal,” he said — and its cyclical vulnerability to crisis. He concluded with a passionate defense of European “civilization” and urged the creation of a paradigm to revive it.

Yet for all his aspirations, Mr. Macron neglected the second half of Machiavelli’s sentence: that people also form views on their rulers, which rulers ignore at their peril. Mr. Macron brushed aside the many Europeans who feel the bloc is aloof and inaccessible, describing their disenchantment as a result of “false arguments.” The dismissal was no aberration. For decades, the leaders of the European Union have overlooked the people in the plains, shutting out the continent’s citizens from any meaningful political participation. This exclusion has changed the contours of the European landscape, paving the way for the radical right.

When Machiavelli reflected on the crises of his time — among them conflicts between major European powers, discontent with public officials and the collapsing legitimacy of the Roman Catholic Church — he turned to the Roman Republic for inspiration. When there is skepticism about values, he wrote, history is our only remaining guide. The secret to Roman freedom, he explained in the “Discourses on Livy,” was neither its good fortune nor its military might. Instead, it lay in the Romans’ ability to mediate the conflict between wealthy elites and the vast majority of people — or as he put it, “i grandi” (the great) and “il popolo” (the people).

While the inherent tendency of the great, Machiavelli argued, is to accumulate wealth and power to rule the rest, the inherent desire of the people is to avoid being at the elites’ mercy. The clash between the groups generally pulled polities in opposite directions. Yet the Roman Republic had institutions, like the tribunate of the plebs, that sought to empower the people and contain the elites. Only by channeling rather than suppressing this conflict, Machiavelli said, could civic freedom be preserved.

Europe has not heeded his advice. For all its democratic rhetoric, the European Union is closer to an oligarchic institution. Overseen by an unelected body of technocrats in the European Commission, the bloc allows for no popular consultation on policy, let alone participation. Its fiscal rules, which impose strict limits on the budgets of member states, offer protection for the rich while imposing austerity on the poor. From top to bottom, Europe is dominated by the interests of the wealthy few, who restrict the freedom of the many.

Its predicament, of course, is not unique. Businesses, financial institutions, credit rating agencies and powerful interest groups call the shots everywhere, severely constraining the power of politicians. The European Union is far from the worst offender. Still, in nation-states, the semblance of democratic participation can be sustained through allegiance to a shared constitution. In the European Union, whose founding myth is the free market, the case is much harder to make.

The transnational character of the bloc is often supposed to be behind Europeans’ dislike of it. Yet those who resist the current European Union do not do so because it is too cosmopolitan. Very simply, and not unreasonably, they resist it because it fails to represent them. The Parliament for which Europeans will be voting next month, to take one glaring example of the bloc’s lack of democracy, has little legislative power of its own: It tends to merely rubber-stamp decisions made by the commission. It is this representative gap that is filled by the radical right, turning the problem into simple binaries — either you or them, the state or Europe, the white worker or the migrant.

It is perhaps surprising that the bloc’s democratic deficit has become a rallying cry for the radical right, but it explains much of its success. A recent poll , for example, showed that Europe’s citizens are much more concerned about poverty, jobs, living standards and climate change than they are about migration. This suggests that the appeal of the radical right lies less in its obsessive hostility to migrants than in its criticism of the bloc’s failures to address people’s everyday concerns. European politicians could seek to remedy that by changing institutions to improve citizens’ bargaining power and make them feel heard. Instead, they prefer to give stern lectures.

The radical right may be on the rise in Europe, but it does not have to be this way. Politics is always at the mercy of fortune. Yet fortune, as Machiavelli emphasized in “The Prince,” is like a river whose overflow can be prevented by building dikes and dams. If European politicians are increasingly trapped in emergency management, it’s because they have failed in the first task of politics worthy of the name: to diagnose the causes of crisis, to explain who is represented and who is excluded and to defend those whose freedom is endangered.

The politics of the people presented by the radical right may be narrowly ethnocentric, but it is the only one on offer that speaks directly to people’s disillusionment. Our modern princes may choose to look away. Yet as long as the radical right continues to dominate the terms of mainstream debate, while its historical roots are discreetly ignored, no appeal to European values will stop the river in which we’re all about to drown.

Lea Ypi ( @lea_ypi ) is a professor of political theory at the London School of Economics and the author of “Free: Coming of Age at the End of History.”

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

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New state house districts taking effect in 2024 primary. here's what you need to know..

News 19 WLTX

By Becky Budd

COLUMBIA, S.C. — With less than a month until the  statewide primary election , voters in South Carolina are gearing up to cast their ballots for new members of the state House, Senate, and Congress. 

Redistricting occurs every ten years following the census to reflect population changes.According to the latest U.S. Census population count, the state saw an increase of nearly 500,000 people over the past decade. 

Lynn Teague from the South Carolina League of Women Voters explains that some district lines were redrawn, while others were added or subtracted. 

"There are places in the state that would never be highly competitive because of the population," Teague said. "There are many more places that ought to be competitive in November that are not, and that is by design."

For instance, Senator Dick Harpootlian's district was relocated to Charleston, while Democratic state Sen. Brad Hutto's district expanded northward to include areas of Aiken and Lexington counties. Meanwhile, candidates are now vying to replace Sen. Nikki Setzler. 

Redistricting doesn't just impact state House seats but also Congressional seats. A federal court earlier this year ruled that this year's congressional elections in South Carolina will be held under a map that it had already deemed unconstitutional and discriminatory against Black voters.

“We believe that Congressional District one was drawn in a way that just completely disrupts existing communities of interest,” said Teague.  

Teague emphasizes the importance of voter participation, especially in primaries.

"Very few people vote in the primaries. This is an infraction, destroying our democracy," Teague noted. "If everybody in the state voted in the primaries, we would have a different government."

Teague urges all registered voters to visit  SCVotes.gov  and request a sample ballot to familiarize themselves with the candidates in their race.

"You need to figure out who they are and vote in June," Teague emphasized.

Read the full article at the link above. 

‘Right of common citizen to contest elections in democracy killed’: Shyam Rangeela on rejection of nomination

C omedian Shyam Rangeela, whose nomination from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency was rejected, Thursday said, "the right of a common citizen to contest elections in a democracy has been killed."

In a post on X, Rangeela said, "The commission has deliberately cheated me and 24-25 other candidates. The right of a common citizen to contest elections in a democracy has been killed. There are some people who are pointing fingers at me, I would tell them to muster courage and go and talk to the other candidates. They would not have come for publicity?"

Rangeela had submitted his nomination papers on Tuesday to contest elections from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On Wednesday evening, he said his nomination has been rejected “on the ground that he did not take the oath”.

In a video message, Rangeela had alleged that “the Election Commission has made elections in Varanasi a game.” “Today, my nomination was rejected… Today, the DM told me that there was some issue with my documents and that I didn’t take the oath… They didn’t let the lawyers go in with me and called me alone. Now, the reason they gave is that I didn’t take an oath and that it was on me to take an oath. I said you didn’t ask me to, and they responded it isn’t their work," he added.

The Varanasi District Magistrate S Rajalingam, however, has responded to Rangeela's video, saying, “Your nomination paper was scrutinized in your presence and you were informed about the deficiencies. Your nomination paper has been cancelled because the affidavit submitted by you was incomplete and you did not take the oath/affirmation, a copy of the order of which has also been made available to you.”

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In top races, Republicans try to stay quiet on Trump’s false 2020 claims

Unlike in 2022, many GOP candidates running in tight races are choosing to steer away from one of the former president’s favorite talking points.

WAUKESHA, Wis. — In his run for the Republican nomination for senator in Ohio, businessman Bernie Moreno baselessly alleged that political insiders, big tech companies and the media rigged the 2020 election. But after he won the primary in March, Moreno declined to say whether he believed Joe Biden had defeated Donald Trump , insisting voters wanted to talk about other issues.

A mirror-image shift has been underway in neighboring Michigan, where former congressman Mike Rogers is also avoiding discussion about the 2020 vote. Rogers had previously declared the election “free and fair” and compared Trump to a “gangster” for pressing Georgia election officials to find more votes for him. Now running for Senate with Trump’s endorsement, Rogers has tried to quickly move on when asked about those views in media interviews.

Two years ago, many of the highest-profile GOP candidates for top offices in swing states eagerly amplified Trump’s false election claims, telling voters the last election had been stolen and warning them the next one could be, too. That position turned out to be a turnoff to many swing-state voters, contributing to Republican defeats in important races for governor and other statewide offices in Arizona, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Undeterred, Trump has followed the same election-denying approach as he runs for president this year, while also declining to say whether he will accept the results in 2024. He routinely makes false claims about elections in interviews and on social media and this month baselessly told supporters at a rally in suburban Milwaukee that “radical left Democrats rigged the presidential election in 2020.”

But this time, many of the Republicans running alongside Trump in swing races are being far more ambiguous about their stance on 2020. Whether they have previously dismissed or embraced his claims, GOP nominees in some of the year’s most critical races are now evading the question and changing the topic. A number of them have steered clear of his most brazen allegations but tried to endear themselves to Trump’s supporters by questioning voting rules.

The dynamic reflects the bind confronting GOP candidates in competitive races: If they echo Trump’s false claims that the election was stolen, they could alienate swing voters whose support they will need in November. If they say it was decided fairly, they risk Trump turning his ire against them.

“When you have to seek Trump’s blessing, I think that’s where it becomes a little bit of a tightrope to walk,” said Jessica Taylor, who analyzes Senate races for the Cook Political Report.

Continuing to dodge the issue could be tough. There are still six months left in the campaign and candidates will face questions from their opponents, voters and the media about their views. Scholars have repeatedly warned of the dangers of embracing election lies, saying democracies depend on losing candidates accepting their defeats.

Ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, a Washington Post analysis of more than 500 GOP nominees for federal and state offices found that nearly 300 had embraced Trump’s false fraud claims or otherwise questioned the results. Biden and other Democrats responded by making their commitment to democracy a central theme on the campaign trail.

This year, many Republican nominees in deep red states or districts continue to parrot Trump’s false claims. Most of the 147 Republican senators and House members who formally objected to the 2020 results are running again and are expected to sail to reelection touting their doubts about elections in deep-red parts of the country.

Some candidates in competitive races have also cried foul. Kari Lake championed baseless claims about the 2020 election in her run for Arizona governor two years ago. She narrowly lost and continues to contest those results without evidence. Lake last year collaborated on a song claiming the 2020 election was stolen and in March told CNN she was trying to “look forward” but considered the 2020 election “rigged.”

But in other closely contested races, Republican candidates are largely downplaying 2020 so they can focus on issues they perceive to be more favorable, like the economy and immigration.

“If we step into the quicksand of relitigating 2020, we are undermining our own message and we are helping our opponents,” said Jason Roe, a Republican strategist in Michigan.

Trump made acceptance of false claims about 2020 a de facto litmus test for his endorsement in 2022, but has made more exceptions in this cycle. That has been particularly true in a few of the most competitive Senate races, where he has endorsed candidates like Rogers who have not repeated his falsehoods.

At the same time, Trump has continued to force 2020 to the forefront by misleadingly talking about how and why he lost, insisting his defeat was the result of a Democratic plot. At times, he has suggested without evidence this year’s election could be rigged.

While Trump’s own position is clear, some of the Republicans running down-ballot have shifted their stances depending on the circumstances or have left doubt as to what they really believe.

Mark Robinson, the Republican lieutenant governor of North Carolina, said in a recently unearthed 2021 speech that Biden “stole the election.” At the 2022 Conservative Political Action Conference, he said he did not believe Biden’s vote totals.

But now that Robinson is the Republican nominee for governor, he has largely avoided talking about 2020. A spokesperson for Robinson did not answer whether the lieutenant governor still believes the 2020 race was stolen.

Kate Frauenfelder, a spokeswoman for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein, called Robinson’s past remarks “shameful and un-American.”

“North Carolina deserves a Governor who unequivocally defends our democracy and our right to vote,” she said in a written statement.

In Ohio, Moreno has staked out contrary positions. He acknowledged Trump’s loss on social media in the days after the election. But as he mounted a 2022 Senate bid, he deleted those posts.

Before dropping out of the race, he ran an ad saying, “President Trump says the election was stolen, and he’s right.” He won the GOP nomination for this year’s race but later deflected when CNN asked him about the 2020 election, saying voters were more interested in economic issues like the cost of meals at McDonald’s.

In response to questions for this story, a spokesperson for Moreno referred a reporter to a Hill article in which she said Moreno’s belief the election was stolen remained “unchanged.” The spokesperson would not elaborate.

Three years ago, Michigan’s Rogers had little tolerance for talk of a stolen election. In a Jan. 5, 2021, column for The Washington Post , he wrote that Trump “sounded more gangster than presidential” in his post-election phone call to Georgia officials in which the then-president encouraged them to “find” the votes necessary to secure his victory.

The next year, Republicans in Michigan nominated candidates for governor, attorney general and secretary of state who leaned into false claims about the last presidential election. All three lost by wide margins, leading some in the party to push for finding candidates with broader appeal.

With Rogers facing a GOP primary in August, he sought and won Trump’s endorsement in March. Since then, Rogers has not always been as direct as he was in the past about his views on the 2020 election.

In January, he told a Detroit News columnist that he expected cheating this fall and Republicans needed “an overwhelming win so there’s no question about our victory.” In a radio interview in April, he did not directly address whether he believes Biden won in 2020 other than to say he had “answered that a hundred times.” He quickly moved on to emphasize the importance of winning this fall.

Rogers helped introduce Trump at a rally in Freeland, Mich., this month. He didn’t mention 2020. A spokesperson for Rogers did not answer questions seeking clarification about his views.

The shift in Pennsylvania tracks the one in Michigan. Two years ago, Doug Mastriano, the Republican gubernatorial nominee in Pennsylvania, embraced lies about the 2020 election. He lost by nearly 15 points.

This year’s race for Senate in Pennsylvania does not feature the same dynamic. Hedge fund CEO Dave McCormick wrote in a book last year that Trump told him he would need to say the last presidential election was stolen to win the 2022 GOP primary for Senate in Pennsylvania. McCormick refused and Trump three days later endorsed celebrity physician Mehmet Oz, according to McCormick’s book.

McCormick lost the primary to Oz by a tenth of a percentage point and Democrat John Fetterman went on to defeat Oz. McCormick is running for Senate this year against Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) — and this time has the endorsement of Trump even though McCormick has not claimed the 2020 election was rigged. A spokesperson for McCormick declined to comment.

Trump was also willing to endorse a Senate candidate who had not echoed his false fraud claims in another key Senate race, picking former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy over Rep. Matt Rosendale in Montana. Rosendale has touted his vote against certifying the 2020 results, while Sheehy has avoided publicly stating his views on the election. After Trump endorsed Sheehy, Rosendale dropped out . A spokesperson for Sheehy did not respond to a request for comment about his views on 2020.

In Nevada, Trump has not endorsed a candidate, but the National Republican Senatorial Committee is backing retired U.S. Army captain Sam Brown. In a run for Senate two years ago, Brown accused his primary opponent, Adam Laxalt, of doing too little to challenge the 2020 results as co-chairman of Trump’s Nevada campaign.

Brown lost that primary and has since tempered his tone on the 2020 election. He told the Nevada Independent he was “pretty confident in our elections” and didn’t want to “relitigate” the debate over the 2020 election. In a statement to The Post, Brown did not back off those comments.