essay about importance of vote

Why Voting Is Important

“Voting is your civic duty.” This is a pretty common sentiment, especially each November as Election Day approaches. But what does it really mean? And what does it mean for Americans in particular?

Social Studies, Civics, U.S. History

Americans Voting

Typically in the United States, national elections draw large numbers of voters compared to local elections.

Hill Street Studios

A History of Voting in the United States Today, most American citizens over the age of 18 are entitled to vote in federal and state elections , but voting was not always a default right for all Americans. The United States Constitution, as originally written, did not define specifically who could or could not vote—but it did establish how the new country would vote. Article 1 of the Constitution determined that members of the Senate and House of Representatives would both be elected directly by popular vote . The president, however, would be elected not by direct vote, but rather by the Electoral College . The Electoral College assigns a number of representative votes per state, typically based on the state’s population. This indirect election method was seen as a balance between the popular vote and using a state’s representatives in Congress to elect a president. Because the Constitution did not specifically say who could vote, this question was largely left to the states into the 1800s. In most cases, landowning white men were eligible to vote, while white women, black people, and other disadvantaged groups of the time were excluded from voting (known as disenfranchisement ).

While no longer explicitly excluded, voter suppression is a problem in many parts of the country. Some politicians try to win re election by making it harder for certain populations and demographics to vote. These politicians may use strategies such as reducing polling locations in predominantly African American or Lantinx neighborhoods, or only having polling stations open during business hours, when many disenfranchised populations are working and unable to take time off. It was not until the 15th Amendment was passed in 1869 that black men were allowed to vote. But even so, many would-be voters faced artificial hurdles like poll taxes , literacy tests, and other measures meant to discourage them from exercising their voting right. This would continue until the 24th Amendment in 1964, which eliminated the poll tax , and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which ended Jim Crow laws. Women were denied the right to vote until 1920, when the long efforts of the women’s suffrage movement resulted in the 19th Amendment. With these amendments removing the previous barriers to voting (particularly sex and race), theoretically all American citizens over the age of 21 could vote by the mid 1960s. Later, in 1971, the American voting age was lowered to 18, building on the idea that if a person was old enough to serve their country in the military, they should be allowed to vote. With these constitutional amendments and legislation like the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the struggle for widespread voting rights evolved from the Founding Fathers’ era to the late 20th century. Why Your Vote Matters If you ever think that just one vote in a sea of millions cannot make much of a difference, consider some of the closest elections in U.S. history. In 2000, Al Gore narrowly lost the Electoral College vote to George W. Bush. The election came down to a recount in Florida, where Bush had won the popular vote by such a small margin that it triggered an automatic recount and a Supreme Court case ( Bush v. Gore ). In the end, Bush won Florida by 0.009 percent of the votes cast in the state, or 537 votes. Had 600 more pro-Gore voters gone to the polls in Florida that November, there may have been an entirely different president from 2000–2008. More recently, Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in 2016 by securing a close Electoral College win. Although the election did not come down to a handful of votes in one state, Trump’s votes in the Electoral College decided a tight race. Clinton had won the national popular vote by nearly three million votes, but the concentration of Trump voters in key districts in “swing” states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan helped seal enough electoral votes to win the presidency. Your vote may not directly elect the president, but if your vote joins enough others in your voting district or county, your vote undoubtedly matters when it comes to electoral results. Most states have a “winner take all” system where the popular vote winner gets the state’s electoral votes. There are also local and state elections to consider. While presidential or other national elections usually get a significant voter turnout, local elections are typically decided by a much smaller group of voters. A Portland State University study found that fewer than 15 percent of eligible voters were turning out to vote for mayors, council members, and other local offices. Low turnout means that important local issues are determined by a limited group of voters, making a single vote even more statistically meaningful. How You Can Make Your Voice Heard If you are not yet 18, or are not a U.S. citizen, you can still participate in the election process. You may not be able to walk into a voting booth, but there are things you can do to get involved:

• Be informed! Read up on political issues (both local and national) and figure out where you stand.
• Get out and talk to people. Even if you cannot vote, you can still voice opinions on social media, in your school or local newspaper, or other public forums. You never know who might be listening.
• Volunteer. If you support a particular candidate, you can work on their campaign by participating in phone banks, doing door-to-door outreach, writing postcards, or volunteering at campaign headquarters. Your work can help get candidates elected, even if you are not able to vote yourself.

Participating in elections is one of the key freedoms of American life. Many people in countries around the world do not have the same freedom, nor did many Americans in centuries past. No matter what you believe or whom you support, it is important to exercise your rights.

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October 19, 2023

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Why Is Voting Important? (24 Reasons)

Have you ever asked yourself if your vote really matters? It does! Voting is how you make a difference in your town, your country, and the world. It lets you say what’s important to you and helps decide who will take care of the things you care about, like schools and clean air.

When you vote, you’re putting your ideas and hopes into action. Your vote can bring change, look after freedoms, and make sure the leaders listen to what you want. It’s also a way to thank those who fought hard so we all could vote.

Stick with me as we explore why every vote, including yours, is so important. This list of questions will show you how your single choice at the polls can do big things for everyone’s future.

Let’s find out why, every time there’s an election, voting is key to keeping our community strong and free!

Table of Contents

Voting Lets You Speak Up About What Matters to You

Imagine standing in a crowd, shouting alongside thousands, and yet, amid the roar, your singular voice is heard. Voting is like this—it’s the megaphone for the individual. When you vote, you contribute to a powerful concert of voices that can sway massive decisions, like selecting leaders and shaping policies.

It’s a setting where every voice counts equally, from the busy mom to the first-time voter.

• Personal Impact : By casting your ballot, you are telling your story and priorities to those in power.
• Collective Power : Each vote melds into a collective mandate, sending a clear message of the citizens’ will.

Recent elections have seen amazing upsets and victories credited to the turnout of groups that were historically underrepresented at the polls. When these individuals made their voices heard, the entire political landscape shifted—proof that voting isn’t just a right; it’s a tool of change.

Voting Selects Decision-Makers

Voting is not a mere action; it’s an investment in the future. It determines who will make critical decisions about health care, education, and economic policies. These decision-makers will have the authority to guide the community, state, and country through complex challenges.

Consider a scenario where a region suffers from heavy pollution. Voting for leaders committed to environmental regulation can lead to cleaner air and better health.

• Quality of Life : The officials voted into office dramatically shape the legislation affecting everyday experiences and opportunities.
• Direction of Society : Elected leaders set the course, and voters are the compass.

Remember, not voting also makes a statement. It can inadvertently support the status quo or allow others to decide on matters that directly affect your life. Voting, therefore, is a critical step in selecting advocates who will fight for the issues close to your heart.

Voting Sustains Democracy

Democracy thrives when its citizens participate fully, and the core of this engagement is voting. It’s a self-renewing cycle: Democracy gives the right to vote; voting, in turn, nourishes democracy.

• Participation : Widespread voting involvement symbolizes a healthy democracy where citizens take stewardship.
• Vigilance : Voting also serves as oversight, a check on governmental power by the governed.

Consider a local election with low voter turnout. It’s not just a missed opportunity; it’s handing over influence to a smaller group and potentially weakening the democratic system’s health. Hence, voting isn’t just a fundamental right; it’s a vital act that keeps the wheels of democracy in motion. Remember, when the people vote, democracy speaks.

Voting Drives Policy Changes

Voting is a powerful lever for bringing about policy change. When people vote, they’re weighing in on the kind of policies they want to see enacted. Policies regarding anything from educational funding to environmental regulation can hinge on the outcomes of an election.

Elected officials, responsive to their constituents, often prioritize the immediate implementation of their platforms, which can lead to catalytic shifts in law and governance.

Over time, these shifts lay down the long-term legislative landscape reflecting the collective will and values of the electorate, thereby affecting the direction and quality of life for generations to come.

Voting Sparks Societal Shifts

When individuals participate in the voting process, they do more than fill out a ballot; they ignite the engine that drives societal evolution. Consider the societal transformations propelled by voter initiatives on civil rights, marriage equality, and labor laws.

These were not mere changes; they were revolutions within the social order that began at the ballot box.

• Cultural Change : Voting sets off ripple effects that redefine social norms and behaviors.
• Awareness and Mobilization : Elections can also energize movements, galvanizing communities to rally around specific causes.

Time and again, voting has been at the heart of monumental societal shifts. The legalization of same-sex marriage in various countries wasn’t just a legal win; it was a societal affirmation of love’s equality, catalyzed by the power of the vote.

Voting, therefore, can be considered a catalyst that propels society toward an ever-evolving destiny.

Voting Promotes Community Engagement

Voting does more than select representatives; it’s a starting point for heightened community involvement. By participating in elections, individuals often find themselves more aware and active in local issues.

This increased engagement can lead to a stronger commitment to:

• Volunteerism
• Community service

As people feel more connected to the results of the voting process, they’re inspired to maintain that connection through active participation in community development. The simple act of voting, therefore, serves to nurture a culture of active, engaged citizenship.

Voting Exercises Democratic Rights

Voting stands as a tribute to democratic freedom and a practice of one’s rights.

Every time individuals head to the polls, they join a tradition of democracy that has been fought for and preserved through generations. It’s a personal enactment of the principle that everyone has an equal stake in their government.

Even in times of perceived political stability, voting acts as a reminder that democracy should never be taken for granted. It’s an affirmation, an assertion, and, most importantly, a privilege that ensures the democracy’s heartbeat continues to pulse with the voices of its people.

The collective decision to exercise this right maintains the infrastructure of a democratic society. It’s not merely the freedom to vote, but the exercise of that freedom that keeps the democratic structure robust and responsive to the needs of its citizens.

Voting Molds National Future

The trajectory of a nation is sculpted by the hands of its voters. Policy direction, socioeconomic development, and international relations are all swayed by the collective voice as expressed through the vote.

Long-term national plans, such as climate action strategies or educational reforms, are directly influenced by the outcomes of elections, underscoring the proactive role voters play in steering the nation’s future.

The ripple effect of a single election can lead to innovations, drive economic growth, and inspire societal advancements that redefine a country’s place in the world. Implicit in every vote is a vision of the future—a blueprint of what citizens aspire their country to become.

As policies evolve in response to the changing tide of public opinion, so too does the national legacy that will be handed down to future generations.

Voting Influences Everyday Life

On the surface, voting might seem like a task disconnected from daily routines, but its impact resonates through various facets of everyday life.

The zoning laws that determine where you can live, the quality of the roads you drive on, even the safety of the food you eat—these elements are shaped by elected decision-makers and the policies they implement. Voting, therefore, has a hand in sculpting the lived experiences of all citizens.

The decisions made in local, state, and national elections reach into the heart of communities. They influence the schools our children attend and the healthcare systems we rely on.

By casting their votes, citizens wield the power to shape outcomes, ensuring that voting is a key component of community health and individual welfare.

Voting Legitimizes Leadership

Voting is much like giving permission. When we vote, we are choosing who can make decisions on our behalf. This choice tells everyone that the leaders we select are there because we, the people, decided so. It’s how we say, “Yes, you can lead us,” and it gives our leaders the authority to act.

Without our votes, leaders wouldn’t really represent us. It’s the votes of the people that make their position valid and respected.

Leaders know that their power comes from the people’s support, which is shown through voting. When a lot of us turn out to vote, it’s a clear sign that we believe in how our system works. Our leaders are then seen as true representatives of our wants and needs because they were chosen by the majority.

This is why every single person’s vote is important—it adds to the power and legitimacy of those in charge.

When few people vote, it can make leaders seem less credible. This can be a problem because strong leadership is needed to guide communities, make laws, and protect our rights. By voting, we make sure that our leaders truly speak for us and can do their jobs well.

Remember, every time you vote, you’re reinforcing the strength of our leadership and the system that lets us choose them.

Voting Demands Accountability

Voting is like a promise made by those who want to lead. They say what they will do for us, and we vote based on those promises. It’s a deal—we support them, and they work for our good.

But voting doesn’t just end at the polls; it’s the start of us watching over those we’ve chosen to make sure they keep their word. Voting gives us the power to reward leaders who do well and change those who don’t.

Leaders know that they will face the voters again, and they’re reminded that their time in office depends on pleasing us, the public. Our vote is our voice telling them to take good care of our interests. If they don’t listen and fail to deliver, they risk losing their position in the next election.

We’re not just picking a winner on election day; we’re setting expectations . Each vote is a piece of a constant feedback loop. If leaders keep their promises, they earn votes in the future. If not, they may have to step down.

Voting Balances Government Power

Voting is our way of keeping things fair in the government. Think of it as a balance scale—when it’s even, everything works as it should. But if one side gets too heavy, the balance is off.

Voting ensures that no single part of the government gets too much power. We vote for different offices and at different times so that we have a say in every area, from the president down to the city council.

This balance keeps our system stable by allowing different voices to be heard. When we vote, we’re choosing people we believe will protect our rights and make sure the government doesn’t overstep.

Every election is a chance to check on those in power:

• If they’re doing a good job, they can stay.
• If they’re trying to tip that balance scale too far, we can vote to bring in someone else.

What’s more, voting stops one group from controlling everything. When power is shared, it’s harder for anyone to misuse it. We decide who represents us at different levels, and this variety helps to keep the government working in the interest of all people. Because when power is balanced, it’s harder for it to be used wrongly.

Voting Impacts Local Issues

Voting is a powerful way for you to help shape what goes on in your own backyard. Whether it’s choosing who makes the laws for your town, or deciding if a new park should be built, your vote counts in these local decisions. These matters might seem small, but they have a big effect on your day-to-day life.

Think about the schools in your neighborhood, the safety of your streets, or how well your trash is picked up. Voting lets you have a say in all these things.

Local leaders pay close attention to what you—as a voter—care about. They want to make sure they’re doing things that will make you want to vote for them again.

If your community needs something, like better roads or more bus routes, voting for leaders who promise to tackle these issues is how you make it happen. It’s your way to tell them, “This is what we need, please make it happen.”

Sometimes, local votes can be about big, important decisions, too. For example, if your town is deciding whether or not to allow a big company to build a factory nearby, voting gives you the power to influence that choice. It could mean more jobs, but it could also mean more pollution. So, your vote helps decide what’s best for your community .

Voting Can Rewrite History

Big changes that happen in a country start with the choices made by voters.

Think about the right for women to vote, or laws that protect the environment—these started as ideas that people voted on. Over time, as more people voted for these causes, they became part of history, turning old ways of thinking completely around.

Each election can be a turning point .

By voting, you’re part of the group that decides if things should stay the same or if it’s time for something new. This could mean voting for someone who has never been elected before, or supporting a law that changes the way things are done. Your vote can help break barriers and open new doors for how people live their lives in the future.

History is full of examples like these, where voting led to major shifts in society. When people voted to end segregation or to allow same-sex marriage, it didn’t just change laws; it changed hearts and minds. Voting is your chance to be part of history, making a mark on the world that will be remembered for years to come.

Voting Secures Representation

Voting is how you make sure there’s someone in the government who speaks for you and your needs. By voting, you’re picking leaders who understand and care about what’s important to you and your community.

They are your voice in places where big decisions are made, like the government or the parliament. Without your vote, these leaders wouldn’t know what you need or want them to do.

It’s all about making sure that everyone has a say. Communities that vote in large numbers send a strong message that they need to be listened to. This means the more people from your community that vote, the more attention your issues will get.

For instance, if your neighborhood needs a new clinic, voting for a representative who promises to fight for healthcare means you’re closer to getting that clinic built.

Voting isn’t just for big national elections; it’s crucial in smaller, local ones too. That’s because the people who get elected locally are often the ones who talk directly with the bigger leaders. They make the case for your interests.

Voting Embodies Freedom

Voting is a clear sign of freedom. It’s something not everyone in the world can do, and it allows you to choose who you want to guide your town, city, or country.

When you vote, you are using a right that many have fought for over the years and that some still do not have. It’s about having the power to decide for yourself, without someone else telling you what to do.

Here’s a simple table that breaks down what freedom means when it comes to voting:

Voting is you standing up and saying, “I am free to choose.” It’s about making your own decisions, big or small, about who gets to make the laws or what kind of place you want to live in. It’s a part of freedom that touches every part of our lives.

Voting Shows Community Care

When you vote, you’re looking out for the people around you. It’s a way to show you care about your town, city, and country. It’s more than just thinking about what you need; it’s thinking about what will help everyone, like better schools or hospitals. Voting is how you can be a part of making sure the community gets these things.

By voting, you help decide what happens in your community. It shows you’re paying attention and that you want what’s best for everyone around you.

Say your local park needs fixing up. If you vote for someone who wants to make the park better, you’re showing that you care about a place where families spend time together.

You’re also saying to your neighbor, “I want to help make things better for us all.” When the community sees many people voting, it can inspire others to do the same—to stand up for what they believe. This way, voting brings people together to work for the good of everyone.

Voting Invests in Tomorrow

Every vote is like planting a seed for the future. By voting, you are thinking not only about today but about many days to come. It’s how you help build the world that you want your children and their children to live in. Investing your time to vote is investing in the world of tomorrow.

Imagine voting for the environment. You’re not just voting for cleaner parks today; you’re voting for a healthier planet in the future. It’s about long-term thinking—picking leaders and laws that will not only take care of us now but also protect and provide for future generations.

This investment means every vote counts. When you vote, you’re laying down the path that leads forward for everyone. It’s an important job because if we all think about the world we’re leaving behind, we can make better choices that will keep our community and planet safe and thriving for the times ahead.

Voting Honors Fights for Equality

Voting is a tribute to the long battles fought for equal rights for all. It’s our way of recognizing and respecting the efforts of those who stood up against unfairness to secure the right to vote regardless of race, gender, or economic status. When you participate in an election, you’re carrying on the legacy of these hard-won rights.

Here’s a table that shows different equality milestones related to voting:

By voting, you celebrate these victories and continue the push towards a fairer society. It means everyone’s voice has value, showing that we’ve moved forward and continue to do so. Voting doesn’t just shape the future—it’s also a way to honor the past.

Voting Affects Public Services

Public services—the things that the government provides, like schools, hospitals, and public transportation—are all influenced by voting. The people we choose to represent us make big decisions about these services, and your vote is your say on who those people should be. It’s your tool to impact the kind of services you and your community receive.

Think about it this way: If you want better local schools, you vote for candidates who prioritize education. Or, if you think your city should have more buses and trains, you support leaders who will push for better public transit. These services are essential to our daily lives, and voting is how we ensure they meet our needs.

Good public services make life better for everyone. They’re what keep us healthy, safe, and connected. By voting, you’re directly affecting how these services are provided and making sure they’re what the community needs.

Voting Signals Leaders

When you vote, you’re sending a message to leaders about what matters to you. It’s not just about picking a winner; it’s about telling those in charge what you expect from them. If many people vote for a leader because they promise to take care of the environment, that leader knows that keeping our surroundings clean is important to their voters.

The number of votes cast can also be a powerful signal. A big turnout can show that people are paying attention and care about what’s happening in their government.

Conversely, if only a few people vote, it might look like folks aren’t that concerned, even if they are. Leaders watch these signals closely to see how they’re doing and what the public wants.

Voting is your way of communicating with politicians. It’s like picking up a phone and telling them your thoughts. It’s a direct line from you to your leaders, and every vote is a part of the conversation about how we all want to live and the direction we want our communities and countries to go.

Voting Advocates Personal Beliefs

Voting is how you stand up for what you believe in. It’s your personal stamp on the issues that you feel strongly about, such as education, healthcare, or the environment. Through voting, you can support the ideas and plans that match your own views and help move your community and country in the direction you think is best.

Here’s a simple table showing how voting can match various personal beliefs:

By casting your vote, you’re not only speaking up for yourself but also supporting the collective voice of others who share your values. When people with similar beliefs vote together, it can have a huge impact. It ensures that what you care about is on the minds of those who get elected.

Voting Directs Fiscal Spending

The government decides how to use its money—your money—based on what leaders think is important.

Voting is your chance to influence those decisions. You can help guide where money should go: more for schools, better roads, or improved healthcare. All of these services need funding, and when you vote, you’re giving your opinion on how the budget should be used.

When you vote, you have a say in directing government spending:

• Education : Voting for candidates who prioritize education means directing money towards bettering schools and resources for students.
• Infrastructure : Casting a ballot for improved public infrastructure can lead to well-maintained roads and transportation systems.
• Healthcare : Supporting measures for healthcare funding ensures hospitals and clinics receive the investment needed to serve you and your community.

Voting is your way of directing the government’s financial choices. It’s like helping to steer a big ship. Your one vote, along with everyone else’s, decides the course for where money needs to be invested for the common good.

Voting Improves Quality of Life

What’s important for a good life? Good jobs, safe streets, clean air, and healthy families. Voting affects all these things. By choosing leaders and laws that match your vision for a good community, you have a hand in making life better for everyone. It’s a powerful action that shapes the very world you live in every day.

Voting has a ripple effect on quality of life:

• It supports policies that can provide job opportunities.
• It shapes the environment we live in by backing efforts to keep it clean and protect natural spaces.

Every time you vote, you’re helping to create the conditions that make your community a great place to live. You’re ensuring that you, your family, and your neighbors have access to the things that make life enjoyable and fulfilling. It’s a simple act with a big impact—a vote for today is a vote for a brighter tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an election.

An election is a process in which a group chooses someone to represent them. Elections can be held for various reasons, such as selecting a new leader, voting on a law, or deciding on an issue. In most democracies, elections are held regularly, and the results determine the composition of the government.

To win an election, a candidate must receive more votes than any other candidate. In some cases, a candidate may win by a majority of the votes cast. In other cases, the winner may be determined by a plurality of the votes cast. This means that the candidate with the most votes wins, even if they don’t receive a majority.

The mechanics of an election vary by country or region. Typically, voters go to polling stations to cast their ballots. After the polls close, the votes are counted, and the results are announced. If there is a runoff, the process begins again until one candidate receives a majority of the votes.

What Is the Purpose of Elections?

Elections have been around in one form or another for centuries, and their purpose has always been the same: to allow the people to choose their leaders. By voting, people can express their desires and preferences, and by campaigning, candidates can make their case to voters.

Elections are also a way for people to hold their leaders accountable. If dissatisfied with a leader’s performance, people can vote them out of office. Elections give people the opportunity to have a say in how their country is run.

Is Voting a Right or a Responsibility?

On the one hand, the right to vote is enshrined in many constitutions around the world. It gives citizens the opportunity to have a say in how their government and country are run. On the other hand, voting can also be seen as a responsibility, especially in countries where voting is compulsory.

People who believe that voting is a right point to the fact that many people have fought and died for the right to vote. The right to vote allows people to influence their government and have a say in how their country is governed. It also allows people to hold their government accountable for its actions.

Moreover, those who advocate for the right to vote also believe that all citizens should have the opportunity to have their voices heard. They believe that everyone should be able to vote without having to overcome any hurdles or meet any requirements. This argument is based on the idea of democracy, which states that the voices of the majority should be heard.

Meanwhile, citizens who view voting as a responsibility often point out that not voting can lead to poor results. When too few people go to the polls, it can lead to extremists coming to power or policies that most people disagree with. In some cases, not voting can also lead to election results being decided by those who do vote rather than the majority of the population.

In addition, those who argue that voting is a responsibility also say that it is something that all citizens should take seriously. They believe voters should be well-informed about the candidates and issues and should cast their ballots thoughtfully. This argument is based on civic duty, which states that citizens have a duty to participate in their government.

Ultimately, it is up to each individual voter to decide what they believe. Some people feel more strongly about one side of the argument than the other, while others may agree equally with both sides. What is important is that you are informed about the issue and cast your ballot thoughtfully.

What Is the Human Right to Vote?

The human right to vote is essential to democracy and popular sovereignty. It is the right of all citizens to cast their votes in elections and to have their voices heard. The right to vote gives people the opportunity to express their opinions and elect their leaders. It is also a way for citizens to hold their government accountable.

The right to vote is a fundamental right that should be protected for all people. It is important that all citizens have the opportunity to vote, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status. Voter suppression tactics, such as voter suppression laws ID and purging voter rolls, are harmful and should be rejected.

Election authorities must ensure that voting is accessible and fair to all. Polling places should be in convenient locations, and voting procedures should be easy to understand. Election officials should also ensure that all votes are counted accurately.

The human right to vote is an essential component of democracy and self-government. All citizens have the right to have a say in decisions that affect their lives. Voting is the best way for people to make their voices heard and hold their government accountable.

Why Should Voters Be Educated?

Perhaps the most important reason voters should be educated is that voters cannot make informed decisions without education. If voters need to understand the issues or the candidates, they are more likely to vote according to their emotions or what they hear from others than according to their own convictions.

Another reason education is essential is that it helps ensure fair elections. When voters know about the candidates and the issues, they can make an informed decision and vote accordingly. Uninformed voters are more likely to vote for candidates who are popular or who have the most money than those who best represent their own beliefs.

Education also helps build democracy. When citizens are educated about their rights and responsibilities, they are more likely to participate in the democratic process. They are also more likely to hold their elected officials accountable and demand change when they disagree with them.

Overall, it is clear that education is essential to democracy. Voters educated about the issues and the candidates are more likely to make an informed decision when they vote. They are also more likely to participate in the democratic process and hold their elected representatives accountable.

Final Thoughts

So, we’ve seen that voting is super important. It’s how you get to speak up about what happens in your town and your country. Your vote matters today and for the future. It’s kind of like telling a story about the place you want to live in and the changes you want to see.

Think of voting as your personal power move. It’s like telling the world, “Hey, this is what I believe in!” And when it’s time to vote, you’re not just doing it for you. You’re doing it for your family, your friends, and even people you don’t know yet.

Let’s make it simple: Get out there and vote, because it really does count. Talk about voting, get your mates to join in, and when the election comes, be a part of it. Your vote is a big deal—it’s your voice, and it’s waiting to be heard!

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Jessa Claire

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Most americans say it’s very important to vote to be a good member of society.

Around seven-in-ten U.S. adults (69%) say it’s very important to vote in elections to be a good member of society – more than say the same about any of the other activities included in a Pew Research Center survey conducted earlier this year.

By comparison, fewer than half of Americans say it’s very important to get a COVID-19 vaccine (44%), to make choices that help reduce the effects of global climate change (42%), or to follow what’s happening in politics in their own country (37%) to be a good member of society. Fewer – around two-in-ten – say it’s very important to follow current events in other countries (22%) or attend religious services frequently (22%). And only 13% say it’s very important to join demonstrations about issues they think are important to be a good member of society.

This Pew Research Center analysis focuses on U.S. public opinion about what it means to be a good member of society. It is based on a survey of 3,581 U.S. adults conducted from March 21 to 27, 2022. Everyone who took part is a member of the Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP), an online survey panel that is recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses. This way nearly all adults have a chance of selection. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education and other categories. Read more about the ATP’s methodology . Here is the question used in this analysis, along with responses.

The comparison of responses by 2020 voter turnout relies on a measure of validated turnout among citizens who are currently at least 20 years old. Validated voters are citizens who told us that they voted in the 2020 general election and have a record for voting in that election in a commercial voter file. In an effort to accurately locate official voting records, up to three commercial voter files were searched for each panelist. The number of commercial files consulted varies by when a panelist was recruited to the ATP. Three files were used for panelists recruited in 2020 or before, while two were used for panelists recruited in 2021. Here are additional details about the voter validation process .  

Although Republicans and Democrats differ in some views of election rules and procedures , there are no partisan differences in the perceived importance of voting. Around seven-in-ten Democrats and independents who lean toward the Democratic Party (73%) and a similar share of Republicans and GOP leaners (70%) say voting is very important to being a good member of society. Past Pew Research Center surveys have found a similar pattern .

Republicans and Democrats also don’t differ when it comes to the importance of following what is happening in U.S. politics. Around four-in-ten in each party (37% of Republicans and 40% of Democrats) say it’s very important to follow politics to be a good member of society.

When it comes to the importance of following current events in other countries, Democrats are somewhat more likely than Republicans (26% vs. 18%) to say it’s very important. Democrats are also more likely than Republicans to say joining demonstrations is very important (17% vs. 8%), while Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say attending religious services regularly is very important (30% vs. 15%).  

Partisan divides are widest when it comes to the perceived importance of getting a COVID-19 vaccine and making choices to reduce the effects of climate change. In both cases, Democrats are more than 40 percentage points more likely than Republicans to see it as very important to being a good member of society. As Pew Research Center has previously found , the partisan gap in the perceived importance of getting a COVID-19 vaccine is the largest in the United States out of 19 countries surveyed this year. Climate change is also a key dividing line, with Democrats far more likely than Republicans to see it as a major threat .

Older and younger Americans diverge over what they see as very important for being a good member of society. Generally speaking, older people are more likely than younger people to find nearly all of the activities asked about to be very important. When it comes to voting, for example, 86% of those ages 65 and older say it’s very important, compared with around half (47%) of those under 30. On only two activities – making choices that help reduce the effects of climate change and joining demonstrations about issues people think are important – are older and younger people about equally likely to say it’s crucial for being a good member of society.

Americans with at least a college degree or more education are more likely than those without a college degree to see voting and getting a COVID-19 vaccine as very important. The opposite is true when it comes to attending religious services regularly, and there are no educational differences when it comes to the perceived importance of the other activities asked about in the survey.

2020 voter turnout was highest among those who see voting as very important

Do Americans who see voting as very important to being a good member of society actually follow through and vote? A separate analysis of 2020 turnout data suggests that the answer is yes.

Among those who say it’s very important to vote in order to be a good member of society, the vast majority (79%) cast a ballot in the 2020 election. Among those who say it’s somewhat important to vote to be a good member of society, far fewer (43%) cast a ballot in 2020. And around three-in-ten of those who see voting as either not too important (33%) or not important at all (30%) opted to vote in 2020.

Of course, there are many reasons why some Americans may not have cast a ballot in 2020, even if they generally see voting as an important civic duty.

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Key findings about voter engagement in the 2020 election

What makes a good citizen voting, paying taxes, following the law top list, publics in emerging economies worry social media sow division, even as they offer new chances for political engagement, americans with higher education and income are more likely to be involved in community groups, many around the world are disengaged from politics, most popular.

About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts .

The Observer

Let’s do it for democracy: The pressing importance of voting

On March 19 I walked into a polling station for the first time in my life. As I stepped up to the check-in table, the poll worker asked me, “Are you a first-time voter?” Oddly enough, I hesitated for a split second, the weight of this moment seeping to my consciousness for the first time. “Yes. Yes, I am,” I replied, almost in disbelief. Immediately, the gymnasium broke into celebration—“We have a first-time voter!” reverberated through the room.

After diligently completing my ballot for the Ohio primaries according to my prior research, I left the polling station with a smile plastered on my face, and a feeling of accomplishment and success washing over me. Not even the uncompetitive nature of the election could take that feeling away from me. I had voted, a right so fundamental to any democracy. I was proud.

No later, however, did I realize that my inexorable pride was cast against a huge wave of indifference. The polling location I went to was nearly empty, the Center for Civic Engagement and Learning (CCEL) office transporting students to cast their vote was rarely busy and when I asked friends whether they were registered to vote, they guiltily shook their heads. It wasn’t merely the apathy that scared me, but more so its consequences: If we carry the same aloofness to elections that are extremely important—especially in a swing state like Ohio—how will we be able to sustain a democracy?

Low voter engagement is not a new issue, but it seems to be getting more acute. Data from News 5 Cleveland corroborated a low voter engagement for the Ohio primaries. In Cuyahoga County, early voter turnout for the 2024 Ohio primaries was down 47% since 2016, and the two other election powerhouses in Ohio—Franklin and Hamilton Counties—followed a similar trend.

Granted, the Ohio primaries this year were largely uncompetitive. Most candidates ran uncontested, and the 2024 presidential race—President Joe Biden versus former President Donald Trump—was already decided. As far as issues go, Issue 26—deciding on a tax levy—may have been important, but “it doesn’t bring the folks out like they did last August… with Issue 1,” which was a constitutional amendment to increase the threshold for passing future amendments, says Cuyahoga County Board of Elections Director Tony Perlatti. Nor have the primaries received as much attention as last November’s general election, which saw 3.96 million voters show up to the polls to vote on a major reproductive rights amendment and marijuana legalization.

And that may just be part of the problem. Political scientists call it “voter fatigue,” the phenomenon where voters are called to step to the polls too often, to vote on too many issues with no easy access to relevant information. As a result, voters become annoyed and disengaged; many choose not to cast their ballot at all.

Yet, with the general election on our heels that is bound to be a tight race, it’s time we haul ourselves out of our lethargy. Ultimately, we cannot conveniently hide in the shadows of “voter fatigue” to excuse our behavior. As members of a democracy, we must rise to our voting responsibility, a right we are so grateful to have.

Voting may sound cumbersome, and especially as college students it’s yet one more thing to worry about—but your vote matters. What’s more, Case Western Reserve University makes it so easy to take responsibility, with resources for registering, getting informed and actually voting. Stop by the CCEL office in Tinkham Veale University Center to fill out a voter registration form. If you have questions, there is always someone to help you through the process. With voter registration also comes an unspoken duty to submerge ourselves in the political arena: researching candidates, diving into local and national political issues and developing critical opinions toward them. Especially with seats in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives up for election in November, doing our research is vital. National Public Radio (NPR) is a great place to start—they provide high-quality journalism with the goal of informing and involving the public. Lastly, when it comes to getting to the polls or casting a ballot, the CCEL office shuttles students to the polls for free on election day, and supplies absentee ballots for mail-in voting.

With such a seamless voting process here at CWRU, there is no reason you shouldn’t be picking up your voter registration form today. Regardless of the significance of an election, we need to be active voters. When we don’t vote, we risk adopting the mindset of detachment to elections that matter, and in a swing state like Ohio, our vote can have a sizable impact. Beyond that, however, voting is a hallmark of every democracy, and it’s central to preserving our political system. So, let’s make use of our right to vote. See you at the polls in November!

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Why Voting Is Important

“Voting is your civic duty.” This is a pretty common sentiment, especially each November as Election Day approaches. But what does it really mean? And what does it mean for Americans in particular?

Social Studies, Civics, U.S. History

Americans Voting

Typically in the United States, national elections draw large numbers of voters compared to local elections.

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Today, most American citizens who are 18 or over have the right to vote in federal and state elections . This has not always been the case.

The United States Constitution originally did not say who was allowed to vote, but it did explain how citizens would elect the new federal government. The members of the House of Representatives are to be elected directly through a popular vote . This means that each voter casts a ballot, and the candidate with the most votes wins. Members of the Senate were originally chosen by state legislatures, but that changed in 1913 to also allow people in each state to vote directly for them, too.

However, the Constitution says that the president should be chosen indirectly by a group called the Electoral College .

Each state has a number of delegates to the Electoral College. This number is based on the state's population. During the election, when one person wins the popular vote in a state, then they win all of the electoral votes for that state. Once all the votes are in, whichever candidate has the majority of electoral votes wins the election and becomes president. If one person does not have the majority, then the House of Representatives votes on who will become president.

Not All Adults Could Vote In Early America

When the Constitution was written, the question of who could vote was mostly left to the states. Through the early 1800s, only white male landowners were allowed to vote. Women, Blacks, and other disadvantaged groups of the time could not vote. These groups were denied the right to vote for many years to come.

Black men were not given the right to vote until 1870. That's when the 15th Amendment was approved. Even still, after 1870, Black men still faced major problems when they went to vote. They included poll taxes and literacy tests.

This continued until the 1960s. In 1964 the 24th Amendment was approved. It made  poll taxes illegal. The next year, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 put an end to Jim Crow segregation laws.

No American women were allowed to vote until 1920. That was the year the women's voting movement was able to get the 19th Amendment approved by the states. It said that all women were allowed to vote. However, Black women would continue to face many obstacles to vote even after the 19th Amendment.

Most all Americans over the age of 21 could vote by the mid 1960s. The American voting age was lowered to 18 in 1971. At that time many Americans felt if you were old enough to serve your country in the military then you should be allowed to vote. Today, the voting age remains at 18. More Americans have voting rights now then in our Founding Fathers' day.

Does One Vote Really Make A Difference?

Do you sometimes think one person's vote cannot make much of a difference? Two of the closest elections in U.S. history might make you think again.

Al Gore narrowly lost the Electoral College vote to George W. Bush in 2000. Bush ended up winning Florida by only 537 votes. The election may have gone differently if 600 more Gore supporters showed up to vote. There may have been a different president from 2001-2009.

In 2016, Donald Trump won the Electoral College vote over Hillary Clinton by 304-227. The election did not come down to a handful of votes in one state as it did in 2000. However, Clinton actually won the national popular vote by nearly three million ballots. Trump, however, received enough electoral votes to win.

Trump won the popular vote in key areas of "swing" states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Like most states, these have a "winner take all" system. That means the popular vote winner gets all the state's electoral votes. The loser gets none.

Votes In Local Elections Matter, Too

One voter may not directly elect the president. But when that vote is combined with others it can definitely make a difference. This is especially true in a particular voting district and in a close election.

Large numbers of voters usually turn out to elect a president. Far fewer people turn out for local elections. This means that fewer people have a say in who is elected to important offices like mayor or city council.

Being Involved In Politics

You can still get involved in elections even if you are not yet 18. The same is true if you are not a U.S. citizen. You may not be able to vote, but here are some actions you can take:

Be informed. Read up on issues (both local and national) that are important to you and figure out where you stand.

Get out and talk to people. Even if you cannot vote, you can still voice opinions on social media, in your school newspaper, or in other public places. You never know who might be listening.

Volunteer to work on a campaign . Support your favorite candidate. You can help with phone calls, door-to-door outreach, writing postcards, or volunteering at campaign headquarters. Your work can help get a candidate elected.

Taking part in free elections is one of the most important rights in American life. Many people in other countries do not have the same freedom. Neither did many Americans in our country's past. It is important to exercise your rights no matter what you believe or whom you support.

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Related Resources

Why People should Vote Essay

People vote depending on their preferences. Since voting is optional, there are individuals who usually do not vote. They evade voting due to ignorance of the importance of the democratic process. Electors should acquaint themselves with constructive rationales for voting caring leaders.

Firstly, one reason for voting is that every vote is vital. People vote to avoid letting others decide for them who will lead them. They understand that a single vote can determine the winner of an election. There are instances that winners have been settled on by a single vote. In some cases, leaders have been decided by a flip of a coin (Willett). People, therefore, vote to exercise their civil rights and influence the outcome of elections.

Subsequently, people vote to protect their health. A number of electors understand that an elected leader has the power to determine the value of health care insurance they would get (Willett). They want quality healthy care services but do not want to be over taxed. They vote leaders who will provide affordable heath care services. Women also can abort after a few judges rule that it is legally acceptable. Electors who are not pleased with such life threatening decision made by a few individuals would prefer to vote in pro-life leaders(Willett).

Another reason for voting is to protect historical interests. This means people vote to honor those who fought of their voting rights and human freedoms in the community. In the past, adults younger than twenty-one years, members of minority communities, and women did not have the right to vote.

Patriotic citizens sacrificed to fight laws that were holding them captive. People vote in honor of these heroes. The idea behind this reason is if one sacrifices his/her life to fight for others, then people feel the rights are highly essential, and they do not ignore to exercise the rights. They vote to decide who among the historical heroes represented their interests (Willett).

Moreover, people vote to decide the destiny of their children and dependants. They decide the destiny of the future generations. This is because leaders make choices that influence both current and future lifestyles (Hardcastle). The laws enacted in parliament regarding education, investment, and the right to life determines the lifestyle other generations will lead.

Therefore, many people vote to secure a bright future for their children, grandchildren, and the preceding generations. In addition, they vote to lead by example. A parent, older sibling, or friend demonstrates responsibility by voting. When members of the younger generations learn that their older siblings or relatives are voting, they may become lifelong voters(Willett).

In addition, people also vote to lose the right to complain. In spite of the outcome of an election, voting helps electors to gain psychological sense of satisfaction (Hardcastle). After voting, they feel that they have played their roles. They also feel to be part of the future.

This motive makes people discover their political strengths and weakness. They also learn about democracy and its benefits. Without voting, it is not possible to know candidates’ political strengths and weaknesses. People vote to enjoy their patriotic rights and feel recognized.

People also vote to save money. The government collects taxes to manage public projects. Every person pays a fraction of his/her salary or income from investments to the government. Therefore, people vote to elect politicians who they can trust with their money. They vote to get roads, police officers, and doctors, but not to over pay taxes. The manner of management of bond issues and proposition also determine how much property taxes people have to pay.

As another key point, people vote to save the world. There are numerous emerging global problems. Voters understand that electing visionary candidates can save the entire globe. Global warming is one of the global challenges that need redress (Willett).

In addition to voting to have leaders that take care of economic factors and energy requirements, people vote to protect the environment. Lobby groups do a marvelous work in the campaign for the protection of the environment. Nonetheless, they also vote. Lobby groups vote because they are determined to have governments that address environmental issues effectively.

The other reason for voting is the need to defend personal social a gender (Willett). Politicians enact Acts of parliament to restrict and protect social freedoms. Some of the freedoms legislators may put restriction on include prayer in schools, homosexuality, and marriage. Those who have concerns regarding any of the social laws do not vote candidates who cannot defend their rights. They vote candidates who can positively influence the social direction of life in the country.

Conclusively, there are several reasons for voting, but these are the key ones. Some people base their reasons on misconceptions. However, due to modernization, many people have access to information and easily make up their minds positively. People should investigate their true preferences to discover their rationales for voting. This will help them elect leaders with the people’s interests at heart.

Works Cited

Hardcastle, Mike . “Top 5 Reasons Youth Should Vote.” Teen Advice – Advice and Community For Teens . N.p., n.d. Web.

Willett, Brian. “Reasons to Vote in Elections | eHow.com.” Demand Media, Inc., n.d. Web.

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IvyPanda. (2018, November 20). Why People should Vote. https://ivypanda.com/essays/why-people-should-vote/

"Why People should Vote." IvyPanda , 20 Nov. 2018, ivypanda.com/essays/why-people-should-vote/.

IvyPanda . (2018) 'Why People should Vote'. 20 November.

IvyPanda . 2018. "Why People should Vote." November 20, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/why-people-should-vote/.

1. IvyPanda . "Why People should Vote." November 20, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/why-people-should-vote/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Why People should Vote." November 20, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/why-people-should-vote/.

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10 Reasons Why Voting Is Important

The history of voting and elections stretches far back in time. Ancient Greece seems to have been home to the earliest form of democracy. Voters could only be male landowners. Similar restrictions continued through the years and across nations, but different groups – like women – fought for more equal voting rights. Throughout the world, there are different voting systems, but the process is always important. Here are ten reasons why:

#1. Voting protects democracy

At its core, voting is about democracy. The more people participate in elections and exercise their right to vote, the more important it is for politicians to represent voter interests. If people don’t participate, politicians won’t be motivated to listen because their positions aren’t at risk. An active voting population protects democracy.

#2. Every vote matters

Many people don’t vote because they believe their one vote doesn’t matter. The reality is that elections are often decided by very close margins. This is especially true for smaller, local elections. There are already fewer voters in these smaller races, so each vote holds a lot of weight. If everyone realized their vote matters, governments would be significantly more representative.

#3. Voting shapes social agendas

There are many social issues affected by elections, including (but not limited to) marriage, reproductive rights, capital punishment, freedom of speech, and religion. Social issues affect everyone in one way or another. To have a say in who gets to pass laws on social agendas and what laws are put in place, voting is essential.

#4. Voting shapes the economy

The laws within a society don’t only affect social issues, they shape the economy, as well. This includes laws on taxes, the cost of higher education, student loan policies, social security benefits, and healthcare costs. Politicians voted into office also decide on governmental budgets, such as how much money goes to the military versus social safety net services. By voting, people can make their economic priorities clear.

#5. Voting affects environmental policies

As climate change continues to threaten the future, it’s more important than ever to vote with the environment in mind. Globally, environmental policies have become contentious and urgent. Some politicians understand the dire situation we’re in while others continue to deny there’s even a problem. Voters decide who will make the important decisions.

#6. Voting affects foreign policy

All nations must engage with other countries whether it’s on trade, shared interests, or resolving conflicts. Many voters may not think much about how their votes determine foreign policy, but these policies can affect everyday things like how much goods cost, the price of gas, and job opportunities. For people in the military or who work internationally, foreign policy is also extremely significant.

#7. Voting impacts your wallet

Speaking of how much things cost, voting also has a direct effect on your money. Elected officials at a local and national level are in charge of countless budgets. Taxes, which are taken from your paycheck, fill out those budgets. Voting lets you have a say in where that money goes and who has to pay what. As an example, the tax rate for the wealthiest people is an area of huge interest in the United States. How little corporations pay in taxes is also frequently on the ballot in the form of politicians who oppose or favor higher taxes.

#8. Voting holds leaders accountable

In places where voters fill out the government, votes have a lot of power. If a politician is chosen because of their promises, but then backs down, voters can vote them out. This accountability is a huge reason why free and fair elections are so important. If voting rights are threatened, it inhibits peoples’ ability to hold elected officials accountable. Politicians can remain in power and break their promises even if most of their constituents want them gone.

#9. Voting impacts the present and the future

People vote on the issues that matter to them now, but voting also impacts the future. The most notable example is found in the court system. In places like the United States, citizens don’t directly vote for the Supreme Court justices, who serve lifetime appointments and whose rulings reverberate through time. However, people do vote for the President and members of Congress. The President is the one who selects judges and then Congress votes on their confirmation. Many people believe that’s why voting for a President is so important. It’s less about the President (who can only serve up to 8 years) and more about who they might select for a lifetime appointment on the highest court in the country.

#10. Voting is part of protecting human rights

The ability to have a say in who runs your government is a human right. In places without some form of a voting system, people can’t participate in the government. People can’t run for elected office if they want to change things. Leaders aren’t held accountable through elections. The right to vote also maintains and protects other human rights, such as the freedom of association and freedom of expression. Voting matters because human rights matter.

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Essay: The importance of voting


Editor’s note: The following essay was the first-place winner in the local Edward Buncombe Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Courageous Beginnings contest, part of the organization’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment. The contest was open to seniors in area high schools, who were asked to think about how this milestone accomplishment may have affected their own family history and what voting means to them today.

When women won the right to vote in 1920, my great-great-aunt Willie Bowman was 23 years old. The oldest child of very conservative parents, she battled to be independent despite seemingly unpermitting circumstances. Willie’s parents strongly opposed her becoming self-reliant, but she persevered. While she remained single and lived with her parents their whole lives, Willie succeeded in becoming self-supporting by getting a job as a secretary in the large and industrial city of Chattanooga, Tenn. As a woman who thought for herself and did not let her parents keep her from working, it is probable that Willie was the first woman in my family to vote in an election.

Being among the 21% of employed women at the time, Willie was most likely a supporter of the suffragist movement and very eager to vote in the 1920 election, but it certainly wasn’t easy for her to actually do so. The 19th Amendment gave women the legal right to vote, yet people in the United States were still widely divided over whether women truly deserved to vote. Willie’s parents did not allow her to marry, so it’s presumable that voting would have been out of the question. However, like many other young women in the 1920s, Willie realized that the only person who should make decisions about her life was herself. Contributing to the future of her country was far more important to Willie than the opinion of others, even her family.

[This] year will mark 100 years since the 19th Amendment was passed, and women’s suffrage has not lost its importance. Voting is what makes America a democracy, and since women make up more than half of the United States’ population, it is critical that women are able to engage in the responsibility of voting. Voting allows one to participate in government by choosing representatives. This process allows every citizen to have a voice in decisions that will determine the course of their lives and liberties. Without the democratic institution of voting, the United States would not be the country of opportunity that it is for many today.

Trends show that an increasing number of eligible voters are not actually voting. This is attributed, in part, to feelings of disenfranchisement; many feel that politicians are not listening to votes, and as a result, people do not feel voting is worth it. The American government system is far from perfect, but those who decline the opportunity to vote forget that it will never be fixed if citizens like themselves do not elect representatives who can make the necessary changes. Choosing not to vote is a choice that will never yield results, much less bring change to an imperfect government.

For instance, many state governments are attempting to overturn Roe v. Wade, which found abortion to be a constitutional right of women. A study conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 60% of women support this right. If those women were to use their right to vote and elect local and federal representatives who shared their opinion, women would ensure that abortion remains legal. As said by Desmond Tutu, a human rights activist from South Africa, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” Remaining neutral in elections and choosing not to exercise the liberty of voting results in abuses to the liberties of Americans and of people throughout the world.

Just as it was important to my great-great-aunt Willie to express her civil liberties through voting, it is important to me, 100 years later. While there are women around the world who do not have suffrage, I am lucky that many women who came before me fought tirelessly so that one day I could decide who represents me in government. My vote alone may not determine the course of history, but I know that my vote most definitely has an impact on the future of my life, my country and the world.

— Maggie Kinton Class of 2020 Asheville High School

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One thought on “ Essay: The importance of voting
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Good for you and let’s just all cross our fingers and hope that this young lady will vote for a candidate(s) who won’t completely disregard women’s rights and personal freedoms as does the current hot mess.

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Importance of Voting Essay: Why Every Citizen Should Exercise Their Right to Vote

Voting is a fundamental right and duty of every responsible citizen to make a strong democracy. Elections are going on some the states presently, therefore, the topics has become one of the most important essay topics for all competitive as well as academic exam.

Essay on Importance of Voting

Voting is a fundamental right and duty of every citizen in a democratic society. The act of voting allows citizens to have a say in the selection of leaders who will represent them and make decisions on their behalf. In a democratic system, voting ensures that power rests with the people rather than in the hands of a select few. Despite the importance of voting, many individuals do not exercise this right. Lets discuss the importance of voting and highlight why every citizen should vote.

Importance of Voting in Promoting Democracy

One of the primary reasons why voting is crucial is that it promotes democracy . In a democratic society, citizens elect their leaders through a voting process. The leaders then represent the interests of the citizens and make decisions on their behalf. Through voting, citizens can choose leaders who will advance their interests and promote the common good. By voting, citizens participate in the democratic process and contribute to shaping the future of their country.

Importance of Voting to Ensures Equal Representation

Another essential aspect of voting is that it ensures equal representation. In a democracy, every citizen has a voice and the right to vote. Regardless of one’s social status, wealth, or education, every vote counts equally. When citizens vote, they ensure that they are adequately represented in government. The government must then consider the views of all citizens, regardless of their background or socio-economic status. This helps to prevent the domination of any particular group in society.

Importance of Voting in Encouraging Civic Responsibility

Voting is not only a right, but it is also a civic responsibility. By voting, citizens contribute to the development and progress of their country. It is essential for citizens to participate in the democratic process and have a say in the decisions that affect their lives. Voting is an excellent way to show civic responsibility and a commitment to the future of the country.

Importance of Voting in Empowering Citizens

Voting is a powerful tool that empowers citizens. Through voting, citizens can influence the policies and decisions made by their government. This is particularly important for marginalized groups who may otherwise have little voice in society. By voting, these groups can elect leaders who will represent their interests and promote policies that benefit them. Voting also empowers citizens to hold their leaders accountable for their actions. If leaders fail to deliver on their promises, citizens can vote them out of office during the next election.

Voting Shapes the Future

The act of voting shapes the future of a country. By participating in the democratic process, citizens have a say in the direction that their country takes. They can choose leaders who will promote policies that align with their values and priorities. Voting allows citizens to contribute to the shaping of their country’s future, and this is a critical aspect of democracy.

Voting is a Fundamental Right

Voting is a fundamental right and it must be protected. In many countries, individuals have had to fight for their right to vote. This is because the right to vote is closely linked to the right to self-determination and freedom. By exercising their right to vote, citizens can help to preserve and strengthen their democracy.

Importance of Voting in Enhancing Political Stability

Voting is essential for promoting political stability. When citizens vote, they provide a mandate to their elected leaders. This mandate gives the government the legitimacy to make decisions and implement policies. When citizens do not vote, the government may lack the mandate to govern effectively, and this can lead to instability. By voting, citizens can help to ensure that their government is stable and effective.

Importance of Voting in Reflecting National Identity

Voting is an important aspect of national identity. In many countries, voting is seen as a crucial part of national identity and a symbol of citizenship. When citizens vote, they demonstrate their commitment to their country and its future. By participating in the democratic process, citizens can also demonstrate their understanding of the issues facing their country and their willingness to contribute to finding solutions.

Importance of Voting in Increasing Participation in the Political Process

Voting increases participation in the political process. When citizens vote, they engage with the political process and become more aware of the issues facing their country. This increased awareness can encourage citizens to become more politically active and engage in other ways, such as volunteering, advocating for causes, and contacting their elected officials. Through voting, citizens can become more involved in the political process and help to shape the future of their country.

Importance of Voting in Protecting Human Rights

Voting is also important for protecting human rights. In a democratic society, citizens have the right to participate in the political process and to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives. When citizens vote, they help to protect these rights and ensure that they are upheld by the government. By participating in the democratic process, citizens can also help to prevent the violation of human rights by holding their leaders accountable.

In conclusion, voting is an essential aspect of democracy that every citizen should exercise. Through voting, citizens can promote democracy, ensure equal representation, encourage civic responsibility, empower themselves, shape the future of their country, and protect their fundamental rights. It is essential for citizens to take their civic duty seriously and participate in the democratic process by voting in every election and make free and fair election. By doing so, citizens can contribute to building a better and more equitable society for all.

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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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15 Reasons Why You Should Vote in the US Election

Every four years, the United States holds an election for president. Congressional elections occur every two years, while various state and local elections happen every year. While some rules vary, you’re typically eligible to vote if you’re a U.S. citizen, meet state residency requirements, register to vote, and are 18 years old on or before Election Day. Why is it important to vote? In this article, we’ll explore 15 reasons why you should vote in US elections, including elections in 2024.

  #1. Voting impacts the future

In the US, one person gets one vote. It may feel like your vote doesn’t matter. What can one person do to change the future? Voting for things you believe in does matter. The main reason is that when people organize around an issue and all make their voices heard, society changes. The other reason is that while your vote can feel meaningless in federal elections, it has a huge impact on smaller, local races. NPR listed a series of races determined by just a few votes , like a 2017 Virginia House of Delegates race. The election was a tie. Officials chose the winner by pulling a name out of a bowl. The Republican was declared the winner, giving the party control of the state House by just one seat. If one more person had shown up to vote in that race, the winner wouldn’t have come down to random chance.

#2. Voting isn’t a right Americans have always had

Millions of Americans vote in elections, but in the past , the number of those eligible was much smaller. In 1789, the U.S. Constitution didn’t even detail specific voting rights, instead leaving it up to the states. Most states only let white, male landowners vote. In 1868, the 14th Amendment established birthright and naturalized citizenship. While the amendment also gave freed enslaved people and Black people citizenship, they still weren’t given voting rights until two years later. Women weren’t given the right to vote until 1920, and in 1965, the Voting Rights Act passed, finally providing more voting right protections. Many people take voting for granted, but it’s the result of centuries of activism and progress.

#3. Voting rights are under threat, and voting can help protect them

Even after years of positive change, voting rights are still under threat. Things like gerrymandering , which is the redrawing of district lines to favor one party over the other, and stricter eligibility requirements are undemocratic. According to a piece from Human Rights Watch, voting rights are also threatened by misinformation, election interference and the intimidation of election officials. In 2023, at least 14 states passed laws making voting harder. Everyone eligible should take advantage of their right to vote and make it clear they want their representatives to protect voting rights. The right to vote is something everyone, regardless of their other beliefs, should fight for.

#4. Voting is an important tool for civic engagement

According to Robert Longley on ThoughtCatalog, civic engagement is “participating in activities intended to improve the quality of life in one’s community.” That includes political activities like voting, as well as non-political activities like volunteering at nonprofits, contributing to food banks, cleaning up public spaces and much more. When everyone participates in civic engagement, more problems are solved, people are more educated on issues in their communities and politicians are held to higher standards. While voting is just one aspect of civic engagement, it’s one of the most important.

#5. Voting is essential to a representative government

In a pure democracy, every American would be responsible for writing legislation, but the US uses a representative form of government. The nation is technically a “ republic ,” which is a form of government where voters choose representatives. These representatives then write and establish laws. A representative government is only successful if as many people as possible vote. This helps create a government truly based on what the people want and need.

#6. Voting holds politicians accountable

Politicians often get a bad rap, and often for good reason. Some get into government just for the money, power, business connections and other perks, while even politicians who started with good intentions can turn their backs on their constituents. When a politician fails to represent the best interests of voters, gets involved in a scandal, or is otherwise doing an unsatisfactory job, voting is the best way to hold them accountable. Before an election, you can make it clear you won’t vote for a politician unless they take certain actions on the issues you care about. If they fail to meet your standards, you can vote them out.

#7. Voting in local elections has direct impacts

Federal elections get the most coverage in the United States, but it’s the smaller state and county-level ones that have the most direct impacts on individual voters. Things like school funding and tax increases are determined locally, so if you want to make your voice heard, you should vote in local elections. As an example, a county in Oregon recently approved a school levy that will pay for classroom teachers and keep class sizes “steady” for the next five years. Homeowners were asked to pay $1.63 out of every $1,000 of assessed property value. Measures like this have a clear impact, so every affected voter should participate in the final decision.

#8. Voting impacts international relations

The outcomes of local elections arguably impact individuals more than federal elections, but that doesn’t mean big elections aren’t important, too. Congress and the president make decisions that affect the country as well as the world. According to the BBC, the US is the “world’s most foremost economic and military power.” It provides ⅕ of the United Nation’s entire budget, while it spent over $816 billion on defense in 2023. On a cultural level, the United States is also one of the most influential nations. By voting and staying engaged politically, you can have a say in the United States’ impact on international relations.

#9. Voting helps you stay informed on issues

Politics can be stressful and confusing. Many people don’t pay close attention to all the issues, so when elections come around, they don’t vote because they don’t feel informed. It’s never too late! When elections are approaching, take a little time to research the candidates and ballot measures in your area. Resources like Ballotpedia , which provides unbiased information on policy, politics and elections, are useful because they’re accessible and free. You don’t have to understand everything about an issue to have an opinion, so use election time to get just enough information to feel comfortable voting.

#10. The United States, which is facing more threats, needs informed voters

As we described earlier, voting rights have been under threat lately, but that’s not the only reason the United States is struggling. America is facing worsening climate change effects, rising homelessness rates , and more bankruptcies , among other issues. Experts have also expressed alarm with the Republican Party’s shift toward authoritarianism.  Former president Donald Trump, who is currently the leading Republican candidate and defendant in four criminal cases, has talked about wanting to be a dictator “for one day ” and indicting political opponents, who he’s called “vermin,” if re-elected. Everyone eligible should vote if they care about where the United States is headed.

#11. Many experts – and voters – believe the future of democracy is at stake

Democracy is never a guarantee, but it’s become a central issue for the United States in recent years. According to the Brookings Institution, “democratic erosion” has two main sources: election manipulation and executive overreach. Donald Trump’s attempt to undermine the results of the 2020 election is the clearest example, but state legislatures have been making it harder to vote for years. When polled, Americans are concerned about the future of democracy. According to one survey, 62% of adults believed democracy will be threatened based on who wins the 2024 presidential elections. With the stakes so high, voting is more important than ever.

#12. Climate issues are on the ballot

Climate change is the world’s most serious problem, and as reports from groups like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change continue to confirm, human activity is driving climate change. Countries like the United States bear the most responsibility. Every election has consequences for climate change policy, so it’s one of the most compelling reasons to vote. Research what candidates on a county, state and federal level believe about climate change and what they plan to do.

#13. Many elections involve reproductive rights

In 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe. v. Wade , taking away the federal right to abortion and flipping it back to the states. Several ballot measures either protecting or restricting abortion rights have come up. According to Ballotpedia, Maryland and New York will vote on ballot measures involving reproductive rights in November 2024, while others will no doubt emerge. A politician’s stance on reproductive rights and plans to address them matter more than ever, so it’s important to consider these rights when voting.

#14. Immigration is another important issue

The United States has more immigrants than any other country. The system is overwhelmed. According to NPR, as many as 10,000 people a day reach the US-Mexico border. Immigrants from other places, often forced by conflict and climate change to move, are also arriving in larger and larger numbers. Both of America’s main political parties – the Republicans and Democrats – have struggled to respond, leading to issues like inhumane conditions, family separations, hateful rhetoric and much more. Who Americans elect and what legislation they approve of matter, so immigration is another good reason to vote.

#15. LGBTQ+ rights need protection  

According to NBC, 75 anti-LGBTQ+ bills became law in 2023. They include restrictions on transition care for minors, bans on transgender athletes from school sports, limits on teaching about LGBTQ+ issues and more. While those 75 laws represent just 15% of the 500 proposed anti-LGBTQ+ laws proposed in 2023, they still have a significant impact. In a piece for Them , Nico Lang lays out how Republican politicians will continue to threaten LGBTQ+ rights while expanding their fight against transition care to adults. Ballotpedia already lists six ballot measures involving LGBTQ+ rights that will need voter approval in 2024. If you care about LGBTQ+ rights, voting is one of the best ways to protect them.

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About the author, emmaline soken-huberty.

Emmaline Soken-Huberty is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon. She started to become interested in human rights while attending college, eventually getting a concentration in human rights and humanitarianism. LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and climate change are of special concern to her. In her spare time, she can be found reading or enjoying Oregon’s natural beauty with her husband and dog.

Voting Awareness Essay

The voting awareness essay is an article that discusses voting and its importance. It provides information about voting and how to be a responsible voter. A lot of people want to vote, but many are not aware of its need and how to cast it. This is where voting awareness comes into play. The idea of voting awareness is to help people understand the importance of voting. Voting is an important way for voters to control their government. It is a method for citizens to express what they want from their leaders by raising awareness about voting. This will lead to better governance and what everyone wants – a democracy that is free, fair and representative.

Voting helps citizens become more involved in their government and keep it accountable. To vote, you must meet specific requirements. In addition to voting, there are a few laws that ensure fair elections around the world. BYJU’S short essay on voting awareness helps us understand the vote’s significance.

Importance of Voting

Voting is an integral part of democracy, and it is necessary for people to have a voice. Everyone has the right to vote, which means that all Indians can vote for the Prime Minister of their choice. By voting, you can create change and make a difference in your community. It is also important to vote because you can only repeal a law if most citizens agree with it.

Voting is one way to be more civically engaged with your government. It is vital to make a difference in the world by having your voice heard and representing the views of people who don’t have a voice. If you want to create change, voting is an excellent way. Voting in election helps citizens ensure that the country is granted better rights and protection.

Voting is an important civic duty that can significantly impact the future of our country. Voting helps keep politicians accountable for their actions and creates the framework for our democracy. Voting also ensures that public officials are paid with the tax amount from the people who can afford to pay them. The most consequential decision of all is how to spend tax – voting ensures that there is accountability for what goes into our government’s budget. The last thing we want is for politicians to be able to spend public money without being held accountable by the public’s vote.

To conclude, this is BYJU’S voting awareness essay for kids to help them understand the significance of voting in a democracy. Voting gives citizens a voice and an opportunity to participate in the democratic process. Voting also allows everyone to contribute to the shared democracy and make the government more representative of the people. For more kids learning activities like worksheets , poems etc., visit BYJU’S website.

Frequently Asked Questions on Voting Awareness Essay

At what age can a person vote in india.

In India, a person can start voting once they turn 18.

Why should we vote?

We should vote to let our voices be heard and ensure that what we want is put into effect. Voting is one of the fundamental rights our country offers us.

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The Importance of Voting

Updated 25 October 2023

Subject Elections ,  Political Science ,  Politics

Downloads 58

Category Government

Topic Voting ,  Democracy

Voting and Democracy

Voting is an essential exercise towards the democracy of a nation. It is only through voting that we can manage to bring change to the government and ensure the citizens get quality. Voting can either lead to long-term suffering on citizens when the wrong leaders ascend to power or beneficial when the right leaders with good policies had the opportunity to govern. Voting always follows the trend of majority rules, and the minority have their say. Hence care should be taken to understand what policies make the majority stand for? At this point, it is worth to note that the outcome of the voting process may not only harm an individual but a nation in general. Each vote counts though not much, but together our elections have a significant outcome. The performance of the government is entirely influenced by how we vote. Our voting nature affects the political results result significantly (Domke et al 52). Some political parties have bent policies which voters understand well, voting such parties would mean such systems will be implemented entirely on to the people. The only way out of this is better voting which could lead to better leadership.

Voting Ethics

Democracy gives people the power to elect the best government which will commit to their needs. This huge role makes people approach voting differently. They tend to overthink about the voting ethics and try to remain conservative of the voting idea. They do not want to go against their common sense about voting. In explaining this concept, the folk theory explains that each student must vote unless in some circumstances one can be excused. It is a fact that there are better or bad candidates, faith voting is accepted since it is better to vote than to vote than to abstain. Lastly, it is very wrong to buy or sell a vote. Many people do support the theory in parts which they think favors them most while the majority believes they should vote as individual votes make a significant difference. In my view, citizens have no business to vote, but in case they do, it must be well by what is promoting their wellbeing. Selling or buying of votes is not bad so long as it does not affect the well-being of citizens.

The Right to Vote and Voting Right

In examining the right to vote against to vote right, I think it is more profitable when we vote right. Some people should be denied the right to vote because it is wrong to allow these people to vote when they are ignorant about politics. So when it is wrong for such a group of people to vote, then they should be stopped by the law. Generally, someone has the rights to do something; it does not directly mean that it is morally right to do it. This narrative contradicts itself though when one has been given the right to vote she should not be stopped from voting, and his vote must be counted without considering whether his choice was good or bad.

Importance of the Right to Vote

It is essential to have the right to vote even though exercising such rights may not always be of value. Both the blacks and women should be given the equal opportunity to vote since they have become part of us (Goodin, Robert and Kevin 927). Political is justified against the inequalities. This is partly explained by how well political equality supports the common good to the citizens. The right to vote faces challenges especially when politicians starts playing dirty by offering monetary gifts to electorates trying to influence their decisions. In this situation, it becomes hard to decide on the right to vote or be materialistic. Having the rights taken from you is sad just like being denied from it.

The Role of Democracy

Democracy refers to a free environment for decision making. In the political field, however, justice has been turned in a method of forcing people to do things they do plan doing. The government uses this to threaten the voters in making the vote at gun points. Democracy is a crucial tool for creating the lives of citizens better. People living in liberal and constitutional democratic leadership, have higher living standards, longer life expectancy, higher educational standards and life satisfaction among many. Democracy could mean empowering the people with what they need to make a clear decision. But people have failed to seek better living standards instead shackled by pressure, swayed by the desire to belong, sex urge among many evils. Too much democracy has led to us losing our decency. Some people consider strong political participation as a way of driving their life while others believe it as a way which hinders them from living their normal life.

Works cited

Domke, David, Dhavan V. Shah, and Daniel B. Wackman. "Media priming effects: Accessibility, association, and activation." International Journal of Public Opinion Research 10.1 (1998): 51-74.

Goodin, Robert E., and Kevin WS Roberts. "The ethical voter." American Political Science Review 69.3 (1975): 926-928.

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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.

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Essay On Texas Voting

Voting has become a big part of today because people want to see a difference or more of an improvement in the country. In Texas, just like in any other state, people are allowed to choose who they want to represent. Many elections are held each year, which showcases many ways of how people can vote. When results are demonstrated to the public, the data shows how many people voted. In areas of Texas, the voter turnout is not high compared to those in other states. Some of the barriers that may contribute to the low voting in Texas could be qualifications, registration, time, as well as other factors. Qualifications of voters are an issue when voting because they are lost on what to do. Collier et al. state voters don’t know if they’re eligible to vote, the …show more content…

All the states have a different approach to how they register the citizens. As mentioned in the Texas Lone Star Politics: Tradition and Transformation, fifteen states have same-day voter registration (Collier et al., 449). Meaning that people are allowed to vote on the same day, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t limited to the election contests. What happens also is that people have jobs, and they are allowed to vote after work, but sometimes there isn’t enough time to go to the polls and cast their vote. Time should be extended so that these people are able to bring what they need to cast their votes. Furthermore, some ways that voter turnout can increase is by fixing problems with the online voting system as well as having more things accessible for people with disabilities. Media Contact showcases how specific voters couldn’t vote online because Texas didn’t have an option available (New Common Cause Report: Texas Voters Faced Preventable Challenges at the Polls in 2022, 14). Being able to vote online would be easier for many voters and even save resources that aren’t being

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The Huge Risks From AI In an Election Year

On the eve of New Hampshire’s primary election, a flood of robocalls exhorted Democratic voters to sit out a write-in campaign supporting President Joe Biden during the state’s presidential primary. An AI-generated voice on the line matched the uncanny cadence and signature catchphrase— (“malarkey!”)—characteristic to Biden. From that call to fake creations envisioning a cascade of calamities under Biden’s watch to AI deepfakes of a Slovakian candidate for country leader pondering vote rigging and raising beer prices, AI is making its mark on elections worldwide. Against this backdrop, governments and several tech companies are taking some steps to mitigate risks—European lawmakers just approved a watershed law, and as recently as February tech companies signed a pledge at the Munich Security Conference. But much more needs to be done to protect American democracy.

In Munich, companies including OpenAI, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok, Google, X, and others announced a compact to undertake measures to protect elections as America and other countries go to the polls in 2024. The companies pledged to help audiences track the origin of AI-generated and authentic content, to try to detect deceptive AI media in elections, and to deploy “reasonable precautions” to curb risks from AI-fueled election trickery. While not unwelcome, the success of the compact will depend on how its commitments are executed. They were couched in slippery language—“proportionate responses,” “where appropriate and technically feasible,” “attempting to,” and so on—that give latitude to companies to do very little if they so choose. While some are taking further steps, of course, the urgency of the situation demands stronger and more universal action.

This year is the first national American election since AI developments will allow fraudsters to produce phony but close-to-perfect pictures, video, or audio of candidates and officials doing or saying almost anything with minimal time, little to no cost, and on a widespread basis. And the technology underlying generative AI chatbots lets hoaxers spoof election websites or spawn pretend news sites in a matter of seconds and on a mammoth scale. It also gives bad actors— foreign and domestic—the ability to conduct supercharged, hard-to-track interactive influence campaigns.

As generative AI is integrated into common search engines and voters converse with chatbots, people seeking basic information about elections have at times been met with misinformation, pure bunkum, or links to fringe websites. A recent study by AI Democracy Projects and Proof News indicated that popular AI tools—including Google’s Gemini, OpenAI’s GPT-4, and Meta’s Llama 2— “ performed poorly on accuracy ” when fed certain election questions. The more traditional, non-generative AI could fuel mass challenges to thousands of voters’ eligibility, risking wrongful purges from voter rolls and burdening election offices. As election officials consider using new AI tools in their day-to-day tasks, the lack of meaningful regulation risks putting some voting access in harm’s way even as AI unlocks time-saving opportunities for short-staffed offices.

Before the Munich conference the world’s premier generative AI operation, OpenAI, had recently announced a slate of company policies designed to curtail election harms as America votes in 2024. These include forbidding users from building custom AI chatbots that impersonate candidates, barring users from deploying OpenAI tools to spread falsehoods about when and how to vote, and encrypting images with digital codes that will help observers figure out whether OpenAI’s Dall-E made an image that is multiplying in the wild.

But these actions—while more robust than those of some other major AI companies to date—fall short in important ways and underscore the limitations of what we may see in future months as OpenAI and other tech giants make gestures towards honoring the commitments made in Munich. First: the company’s public-facing policies do not call out several core false narratives and depictions that have haunted prior election cycles and are likely to be resurrected in new guises this year. For example, they do not expressly name fakeries that supposedly show election officials interfering with the vote count, fabrications of unreliable or impaired voting machines, or baseless claims that widespread voter fraud has occurred. (According to Brennan Center tracking , these rank among the most common false narratives promoted by election deniers in the 2022 midterm elections.) While OpenAI policies addressing misleading others and intentional deception arguably cover some, or all, such content, specifically naming these categories as being barred from creation and spread would give more clarity to users and protection to voters. Since election procedures— and the occasional fast-resolved Election Day glitch—vary from county to county, the company should have conduits for the sharing of information between local election officials and OpenAI staff in the months leading up to the election.

Perhaps most importantly, the tech wunderkind needs to do more to curb the risks of working with third party developers—that is, the companies that license OpenAI’s technology and integrate its models into their own services and products . For instance, if a user enters basic election questions into a third-party search engine that cannibalizes OpenAI models, the answers can be rife with errors, outdated facts, and other blunders. (WIRED reporting on Microsoft Copilot last December revealed several issues at that time with the search engine—which uses OpenAI technology— though some of those problems may have since been addressed.) To better protect voters this election season, the company must create and enforce stricter requirements for its partnerships with developers that integrate OpenAI models into search engines—or any digital platform where voters may go to seek information on the ABCs of voting and elections. While the accord signed in Munich was targeted to intentionally deceptive content, voters can also be harmed by AI “hallucinations”—fabrications spit out by systems’ algorithms—or other hiccups that AI creators and service providers have failed to prevent.

But, OpenAI can’t go it alone. Other tech titans must release their own election policies for generative AI tools, unmasking any behind-the-scenes tinkering and opening internal practices to public scrutiny and knowledge. As a first step, more major tech companies—including Apple, ByteDance, Samsung, and X—should sign onto the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity ’s open standard for embedding content with digital markers that help prove that it is AI-generated or authentic as it travels through the online ether. (While Apple and X committed to consider attaching similar signals to their content in Munich, a consistent standard would improve detection and coordination across the board.) The markers, meanwhile, should be made more difficult to remove. And social media companies must act swiftly to address deepfakes and bot accounts that mimic human activity, as well as instituting meaningful account verification processes for election officials and bonafide news organizations to help voters find accurate information in feeds flush with misinformation, impersonators, and accounts masquerading as real news.

One company’s—or a handful of companies’ —steps to address election harms, while important, are not enough in a landscape awash with unsecured, open-source AI models where systems’ underlying code and the mathematical instructions that make them tick are publicly available, downloadable, and manipulatable. Companies as prominent as Meta and Stability AI have released unsecured AI systems, and other players have rapidly churned out many more. Anyone who wishes to interfere in elections today has a suite of AI technology to choose from to bolster their efforts, and multiple ways to deploy it. That means that governments at all levels must also take urgent action to protect voters.

Congress, agencies, and states have a plethora of options at hand to blunt AI’s risks ahead of the 2024 election. Congress and states should regulate deepfakes—particularly those spread by campaigns, political action committees, and paid influencers—by requiring disclaimers on deceptive and digitally manipulated images, video, and audio clips that could suppress votes, or that misrepresent candidates’ and election officials’ words and actions. Lawmakers should also require campaigns and political action committees to clearly label a subset of content produced by the technology underlying generative AI chatbots, particularly where politicos deploy the technology to engage in continuous conversations with voters or to deceptively impersonate humans to influence elections. Policymakers should protect voters against frivolous challenges to their voting eligibility by setting constraints on the evidence that may be used to substantiate a challenge — including evidence unearthed or created through AI.

Federal agencies should act quickly to publish guidance for certifying the authenticity and provenance of government content—as envisioned by the executive order on AI issued by the administration last year—and state and local election officials should apply similar practices to their official content. Longer term, federal and state governments should also create guidance and benchmarks that help election officials evaluate AI systems before purchasing them, checking for reliability, accuracy, biases, and transparency.

These steps are all pivotal to dealing with challenges that arise specifically from AI technology. But the election risks that AI amplifies—disinformation, vote suppression, election security hazards, and so on—long predate the advent of the generative-AI boom. To fully protect voting and elections, lawmakers must also pass reforms like the Freedom to Vote Act—a set of wide-ranging provisions that stalled in the U.S. Senate. It also means updating political ad disclosure requirements for the 21 st century. And it means maintaining an expansive vision for democracy that is impervious to age-old and persistent efforts to subvert it.

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NPR defends its journalism after senior editor says it has lost the public's trust

David Folkenflik

NPR is defending its journalism and integrity after a senior editor wrote an essay accusing it of losing the public's trust. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

NPR is defending its journalism and integrity after a senior editor wrote an essay accusing it of losing the public's trust.

NPR's top news executive defended its journalism and its commitment to reflecting a diverse array of views on Tuesday after a senior NPR editor wrote a broad critique of how the network has covered some of the most important stories of the age.

"An open-minded spirit no longer exists within NPR, and now, predictably, we don't have an audience that reflects America," writes Uri Berliner.

A strategic emphasis on diversity and inclusion on the basis of race, ethnicity and sexual orientation, promoted by NPR's former CEO, John Lansing, has fed "the absence of viewpoint diversity," Berliner writes.

NPR's chief news executive, Edith Chapin, wrote in a memo to staff Tuesday afternoon that she and the news leadership team strongly reject Berliner's assessment.

"We're proud to stand behind the exceptional work that our desks and shows do to cover a wide range of challenging stories," she wrote. "We believe that inclusion — among our staff, with our sourcing, and in our overall coverage — is critical to telling the nuanced stories of this country and our world."

NPR names tech executive Katherine Maher to lead in turbulent era

She added, "None of our work is above scrutiny or critique. We must have vigorous discussions in the newsroom about how we serve the public as a whole."

A spokesperson for NPR said Chapin, who also serves as the network's chief content officer, would have no further comment.

Praised by NPR's critics

Berliner is a senior editor on NPR's Business Desk. (Disclosure: I, too, am part of the Business Desk, and Berliner has edited many of my past stories. He did not see any version of this article or participate in its preparation before it was posted publicly.)

Berliner's essay , titled "I've Been at NPR for 25 years. Here's How We Lost America's Trust," was published by The Free Press, a website that has welcomed journalists who have concluded that mainstream news outlets have become reflexively liberal.

Berliner writes that as a Subaru-driving, Sarah Lawrence College graduate who "was raised by a lesbian peace activist mother ," he fits the mold of a loyal NPR fan.

Yet Berliner says NPR's news coverage has fallen short on some of the most controversial stories of recent years, from the question of whether former President Donald Trump colluded with Russia in the 2016 election, to the origins of the virus that causes COVID-19, to the significance and provenance of emails leaked from a laptop owned by Hunter Biden weeks before the 2020 election. In addition, he blasted NPR's coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

On each of these stories, Berliner asserts, NPR has suffered from groupthink due to too little diversity of viewpoints in the newsroom.

The essay ricocheted Tuesday around conservative media , with some labeling Berliner a whistleblower . Others picked it up on social media, including Elon Musk, who has lambasted NPR for leaving his social media site, X. (Musk emailed another NPR reporter a link to Berliner's article with a gibe that the reporter was a "quisling" — a World War II reference to someone who collaborates with the enemy.)

When asked for further comment late Tuesday, Berliner declined, saying the essay spoke for itself.

The arguments he raises — and counters — have percolated across U.S. newsrooms in recent years. The #MeToo sexual harassment scandals of 2016 and 2017 forced newsrooms to listen to and heed more junior colleagues. The social justice movement prompted by the killing of George Floyd in 2020 inspired a reckoning in many places. Newsroom leaders often appeared to stand on shaky ground.

Leaders at many newsrooms, including top editors at The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times , lost their jobs. Legendary Washington Post Executive Editor Martin Baron wrote in his memoir that he feared his bonds with the staff were "frayed beyond repair," especially over the degree of self-expression his journalists expected to exert on social media, before he decided to step down in early 2021.

Since then, Baron and others — including leaders of some of these newsrooms — have suggested that the pendulum has swung too far.

Author Interviews

Legendary editor marty baron describes his 'collision of power' with trump and bezos.

New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger warned last year against journalists embracing a stance of what he calls "one-side-ism": "where journalists are demonstrating that they're on the side of the righteous."

"I really think that that can create blind spots and echo chambers," he said.

Internal arguments at The Times over the strength of its reporting on accusations that Hamas engaged in sexual assaults as part of a strategy for its Oct. 7 attack on Israel erupted publicly . The paper conducted an investigation to determine the source of a leak over a planned episode of the paper's podcast The Daily on the subject, which months later has not been released. The newsroom guild accused the paper of "targeted interrogation" of journalists of Middle Eastern descent.

Heated pushback in NPR's newsroom

Given Berliner's account of private conversations, several NPR journalists question whether they can now trust him with unguarded assessments about stories in real time. Others express frustration that he had not sought out comment in advance of publication. Berliner acknowledged to me that for this story, he did not seek NPR's approval to publish the piece, nor did he give the network advance notice.

Some of Berliner's NPR colleagues are responding heatedly. Fernando Alfonso, a senior supervising editor for digital news, wrote that he wholeheartedly rejected Berliner's critique of the coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict, for which NPR's journalists, like their peers, periodically put themselves at risk.

Alfonso also took issue with Berliner's concern over the focus on diversity at NPR.

"As a person of color who has often worked in newsrooms with little to no people who look like me, the efforts NPR has made to diversify its workforce and its sources are unique and appropriate given the news industry's long-standing lack of diversity," Alfonso says. "These efforts should be celebrated and not denigrated as Uri has done."

After this story was first published, Berliner contested Alfonso's characterization, saying his criticism of NPR is about the lack of diversity of viewpoints, not its diversity itself.

"I never criticized NPR's priority of achieving a more diverse workforce in terms of race, ethnicity and sexual orientation. I have not 'denigrated' NPR's newsroom diversity goals," Berliner said. "That's wrong."

Questions of diversity

Under former CEO John Lansing, NPR made increasing diversity, both of its staff and its audience, its "North Star" mission. Berliner says in the essay that NPR failed to consider broader diversity of viewpoint, noting, "In D.C., where NPR is headquartered and many of us live, I found 87 registered Democrats working in editorial positions and zero Republicans."

Berliner cited audience estimates that suggested a concurrent falloff in listening by Republicans. (The number of people listening to NPR broadcasts and terrestrial radio broadly has declined since the start of the pandemic.)

Former NPR vice president for news and ombudsman Jeffrey Dvorkin tweeted , "I know Uri. He's not wrong."

Others questioned Berliner's logic. "This probably gets causality somewhat backward," tweeted Semafor Washington editor Jordan Weissmann . "I'd guess that a lot of NPR listeners who voted for [Mitt] Romney have changed how they identify politically."

Similarly, Nieman Lab founder Joshua Benton suggested the rise of Trump alienated many NPR-appreciating Republicans from the GOP.

In recent years, NPR has greatly enhanced the percentage of people of color in its workforce and its executive ranks. Four out of 10 staffers are people of color; nearly half of NPR's leadership team identifies as Black, Asian or Latino.

"The philosophy is: Do you want to serve all of America and make sure it sounds like all of America, or not?" Lansing, who stepped down last month, says in response to Berliner's piece. "I'd welcome the argument against that."

"On radio, we were really lagging in our representation of an audience that makes us look like what America looks like today," Lansing says. The U.S. looks and sounds a lot different than it did in 1971, when NPR's first show was broadcast, Lansing says.

A network spokesperson says new NPR CEO Katherine Maher supports Chapin and her response to Berliner's critique.

The spokesperson says that Maher "believes that it's a healthy thing for a public service newsroom to engage in rigorous consideration of the needs of our audiences, including where we serve our mission well and where we can serve it better."

Disclosure: This story was reported and written by NPR Media Correspondent David Folkenflik and edited by Deputy Business Editor Emily Kopp and Managing Editor Gerry Holmes. Under NPR's protocol for reporting on itself, no NPR corporate official or news executive reviewed this story before it was posted publicly.

Trump and Mike Johnson zero in on noncitizen voting. It’s already illegal and very rare.

Former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson pitched new legislation to crack down on noncitizen voting on Friday, despite the fact the practice is already illegal and occurs rarely.

Johnson said House Republicans would introduce a bill to require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote, speaking at Mar-a-Lago next to Trump as he seeks to fend off threats from his right flank.

“It seems like common sense, I’m sure all of us would agree that we only want U.S. citizens to vote in U.S. elections,” Johnson said, falsely suggesting that “so many people” are registering to vote when they obtain welfare benefits.

It is already a crime to register or vote as a noncitizen in all state and federal elections, though Washington, D.C., and a handful of municipalities in California, Maryland and Vermont allow noncitizen voting in local elections.

And few individuals break those laws.

“This is a crime where not only are the consequences really high and the payoff really low — you’re not getting millions of dollars, it’s not robbing a bank, you get to cast one ballot,” said Sean Morales-Doyle, a lawyer at the Brennan Center for Justice. “But what also makes this somewhat unique is that committing this crime actually entails the creation of a government record of your crime.”

Registering to vote and casting a ballot both leaves a paper trail that elected officials are required by law to routinely review. Some records are available to the public, as well.

“It’s very easy to catch, and you will get caught,” Morales-Doyle added.

The consequences are sweeping, too: noncitizens can face jail time, fines or deportation for voting illegally. Registering to vote alone could carry a five-year prison sentence, according to the Brennan Center.

On the flip side, Morales-Doyle said, requiring documentary proof of citizenship could disenfranchise millions of Americans who do not have access to passports or birth certificates.

Several states have tried to require documentary proof of citizenship in the past, but federal law currently prohibits it in federal elections. Arizona requires it for state elections, alone.

Many have investigated noncitizen voting and found little evidence of it. The Brennan Center found just 30 suspected noncitizen votes amid 23.5 million votes in 2016 , suggesting that suspected noncitizen votes accounted for 0.0001 % of votes cast. Trump’s own election integrity commission disbanded without releasing evidence of voter fraud, even though he’d claimed 3 million undocumented immigrants had voted in 2016 costing him the popular vote.

But Johnson and Trump have both long advanced baseless claims about election integrity. Johnson repeatedly promoted conspiracy theories about the 2020 election and its voting machines being rigged, and he recruited Republicans to back a lawsuit seeking to overturn states where Trump lost.

For Trump, however, the proposal fuses two of his favorite talking points: immigration and voter fraud. 

“It’s the sort of story that if you’re inclined to not like immigrants in the first place feels truthy,” said Justin Levitt, a former Biden advisor on democracy issues and election policy expert. “I think that has helped it stayed politically potent even if it hasn’t gotten more true.”

Levitt said when noncitizens do vote, it’s typically a misunderstanding or mistake. He said he recalled an instance where California residents in the process of naturalizing were told they had been granted citizenship and immediately left naturalization interviews to register to vote. They had not been formally sworn in as citizens, however, and therefore were not eligible yet.

Jane C. Timm is a senior reporter for NBC News.