Reformers believed that such changes would not only increase turnout, but level the political playing field as well. In , political scientists Richard Cloward and Francis Fox Piven argued that easing registration requirements would lead to greater socioeconomic equality in the composition of the electorate.
Thus, registration reform would be the magic bullet that could fix a variety of electoral ills. In the four decades since Rosenstone and Wolfinger made the call to ease registration requirements, the government answered their charge. The National Voter Registration Act explicitly directed states to allow voter registration at motor vehicle agencies and through mail-in procedures. With the passage of the Motor-Voter Act, the act of registering to vote became a trivial matter. The high costs identified by Rosenstone and Wolfinger disappeared.
Furthermore, the act of voting became easier as well. In the last 20 years, election officials have enacted a number of different reforms designed to increase turnout by easing restrictions on the casting of ballots including early voting, the relaxing of stringent absentee balloting procedures, and universal voting-by-mail VBM in states such as Oregon and, most recently, Colorado. Taken together, the changes over the last 40 years have greatly reduced the direct costs of registration and voting; it has never been easier to cast a ballot than it is today.
But the effects of these reforms have surprised scholars and reformers alike. The recent wave of electoral reforms does not seem to have had any significant effect on voter turnout.
And there is even evidence that some of the new reforms may have actually decreased turnout. A brief survey of some of these studies paints a clear picture. Two different research teams concluded that the Motor-Voter Act did not change turnout rates in the United States. Likewise, making the act of voting easier does not seem to have increased turnout rates consistently.
The percentage of young adults who have these attributes is very low compared to other age groups. For most young adults this is the time in life when many are still in school or just beginning to enter the workforce. Young people are not allowed to vote until they are 18 years of age. At this age they are more concerned with their own short-term thoughts and not on what affects them in the long run. The concerns of future policy, a political candidate presently running for office is speaking about does not override their own agenda.
Students in college can feel disconnected, especially if they are away from home. A majority of college students simply do not want to take the time to acquire an absentee ballot to vote in their home state or county elections. How can we rectify this situation? We as a nation need to make it easier for all people to vote. Same day registration and easier absentee access would surely help voter turnout among young people.
Voting using the Internet would be a viable solution. The key to really changing America's thoughts on young voters is education and socialization. The community, teachers, and parents must insure they are passing on the important value of being a voting citizen. The best way to do this is to lead by example. If the older population does not vote, how can they expect the younger generation to vote? Citizens who are 18 years of age received the right to vote in by way of the 26th Amendment.
Ignoring a given civil right once excluded goes against the very nature of being a virtuous citizen. That is why educating voters on the history of voting in America, especially when it comes to learning about extending the power vote to certain disenfranchised gender, racial, and economic groups throughout history.
Many young people still decline to vote. This could be possible due to the widening of the generation gap. When they look at the available candidates to choose from they see politicians sometimes two to three times their age. They feel disconnected from them because they do not think their issues and concern will be taken seriously and addressed.
How can this gap be lessened? Young voters need to know that voting is one of the simplest forms of being an active and empowered citizen but it is not the only one. Taking time out to allow themselves to become involved with their local government in some form, whether it is through a summer internship or just volunteering, is a way to be more empowered.
There needs to be more reach-out opportunities coming from the mature generations that will engage not only newly enfranchised voters, but also those under the voting age as well. These do not have to necessarily be partisan programs, but one that would teach and instill the fundamental value and importance of each person's vote. Adults should take part any way they can, especially in any mentoring programs that would enhance a young person's understanding of the political process.
Young voters, on the other hand, have to also take their future into their own hands. They have to realize that decisions elected officials make today will ultimately affect them when they become older adults. The power is in the vote and the vote can make anyone stop and listen. They have to understand that if they band together as a cohesive group and go out and vote their concerns can and will be listened to as much as older voters.
What many young voters do not realize is that, unfortunately, politicians and candidates listen to the citizens that actually go out and vote the closest. They have a lot of constituents to reach so they will choose to spend more time on the concern of voters who they know will at least vote. This does not mean that all is lost, but young voters ultimately cannot wait for anyone else to make them count; they have to empower themselves and that has to start on Election Day.
I am sure that this is not a trick question. Most of us will either be sitting through class after class. If Election Day is on a weekend, then it is up to the imagination as to what will be going on. Please notice the fact that I do not even know when Election Day is.
I might when the time comes closer, but for the moment, I fall under the typical ignorant category. That is the problem, though. Politics bore me, and, quite frankly, I think I speak for many of my peers when I say that I am so incredibly tired of the mudslinging contests that go on in this nation. I have a couple of suggestions for the hierarchies as to how to motivate me to vote. First of all, make it quite clear what is in it for the voters. Sure, the lawmakers and even the president are influential people in our lives, but it sure does not feel like we have any say in what goes on in Washington unless there is an all-school petition sent in with tens of thousands of names.
It is hard enough to get a professor or department to change a curriculum, even when everyone protests, so how are we going to change this country? One little vote? Speakers can come, or even run specials on our school's television station. Most professors in related departments will give extra credit for attending such lectures or watching the program.
Also, gear information to each department. Educators want to know what each candidate will do for children and the educational systems. Health and fitness majors will most likely want to know what is happening with health issues, as will the medical students. This should not be so hard to figure out. Second, there are 38, voters on my campus, which is more than 5 times the number of people in my hometown. Just about every walk of life is represented here, as well.
There is also the fact that we are the ones who are the closest to being the next group of CEO's and employees. Yet, I do not recall ever hearing that any politicians were coming to meet us and shake our hands.
Sure they have a busy schedule, but in our world of studying and working to pay tuition - a busy schedule is their problem and if they want our vote, then take time to meet our needs. That, combined with our ignorance as to where, how, and when to vote, is causing severe deficits in numbers of voters. The Internet has become such a widely used tool that secure on-line voting is one idea.
Voting by hall is another possibility, or even just having a voting site in one of the main campus classroom buildings would be greatly appreciated.
Having a voting holiday is a personal favorite, but mid-week is the best time. Because the election is only mere hours away, potential voters still have the chance to do same-day voter registration in some states.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures , as of , 21 states and the District of Columbia allow same-day registration SDR , which would allow a qualified resident of the state to register and cast a ballot on the same day.
According to the official website of Michigan. For University of Michigan sophomore Annie Smuts, the voting registration and experience was smooth but can be hectic at times. Our school has a ballot drop off box and I dropped it off on campus. Across Michigan, young adults are taking the initiative to vote and get their surrounding circles to vote as well. Although young voters are consistently posting to social media and holding community talks, some college students fall short.
When asked about voter privilege and how some may not believe voting is a privilege, students from different universities had similar responses.
We get an opportunity to decide who is the best fit and it may not concern some personally, but it counts for all of America. It is not only for the little bubble that some of us grew up in, it is for everyone. As a woman, some of our rights are on the line during this election. This is my first time voting and I have big expectations because I hope everyone can make the best, informed decision.
If you or anybody you know is still on the fence about voting, Michigan has no deadline for same-day registration and voting. There is still limited time to research, inform, and volunteer for the importance of voting.
Alone we can make minor change; with your help we can make an impact. Tel: Email: info wmeac. Donate Sustaining Donor Business. News Calendar. Volunteer Become a Member Live Green. November 3, Written by Skyla Jewell-Hammie This time, four years ago, the majority of voters made their way to the polls and voted in-person.
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