Why We Should Be Required To Vote
In a democracy, voting is important. Not every eligible voter does vote. Voting is often taken for granted, many Americans do not realise just how important their vote is. Voter turnout is at an alltime low for recent elections; the more votes there are means more of a fair and legitimate election. Americans should be required to vote because it informs people of what people are voting on and it improves government legitimacy. Citizens would have to know what they are voting about if they are required to vote. Joe Heller’s, “School Repairs”, political cartoon explains why compulsory voting is important because it would inform people of issues that they did not even knew existed. Heller states, “[...]arouse in them an intelligent interest
and to give them a political knowledge they do not at present possess.” Compelling people to vote would improve schools, businesses, hospitals, and politics. However, the cartoon could be used against compulsory voting because people without political knowledge would be voting for things that they do not know, which could have a negative effect on politics. In spite of that, the more votes that there are the greater chance of improvement. Voting is just like any other duty as an American citizen. John W. Dean compares voting to paying taxes; even though, people do not like to have to pay taxes, it is something that every American has to do. Americans should be required to vote because it improves government legitimacy. Dean states, “Voting is the least a citizen can do for his or her country.” However, Dean’s ideals of compulsory voting go against many Americans belief in having the freedom to chose. Nonetheless, it is civic duty to participate in politics; not only for personal benefit but for national benefit. “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” John F. Kennedy’s professor.
In conclusion, Americans should be required to vote because it educates people on serious issues that America faces and leads to positive change. Compulsory voting also improves government legitimacy, the more votes that there are means a greater chance of having a fair and popular majority election. People have power over the government, citizens should be compelled to exercise that power.
and to give them a political knowledge they do not at present possess.” Compelling people to vote would improve schools, businesses, hospitals, and politics. However, the cartoon could be used against compulsory voting because people without political knowledge would be voting for things that they do not know, which could have a negative effect on politics. In spite of that, the more votes that there are the greater chance of improvement. Voting is just like any other duty as an American citizen. John W. Dean compares voting to paying taxes; even though, people do not like to have to pay taxes, it is something that every American has to do. Americans should be required to vote because it improves government legitimacy. Dean states, “Voting is the least a citizen can do for his or her country.” However, Dean’s ideals of compulsory voting go against many Americans belief in having the freedom to chose. Nonetheless, it is civic duty to participate in politics; not only for personal benefit but for national benefit. “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” John F. Kennedy’s professor.
In conclusion, Americans should be required to vote because it educates people on serious issues that America faces and leads to positive change. Compulsory voting also improves government legitimacy, the more votes that there are means a greater chance of having a fair and popular majority election. People have power over the government, citizens should be compelled to exercise that power.