Assignment 2: How We Vote The assigned material allows the readers to understand that there is a lot more to voting, than the simple action of making a selection and casting a vote. The requirements for voting, prerequisites, actual method chosen by the voter or allowed by the state to submit ballots, and even the mechanism utilized at precinct-place voting sites, all vary between state borders. As shown by political Researchers, the subject is far more complex as state imposed or personal disincentives often negatively affect voting turnouts. All five readings, although not necessarily concerned with the same aspect of voting, delineate flaws in various methods and mechanisms used to cast votes. Although there are many aspects of the electoral
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Niemi and Paul S. Herrnson’s article, Beyond the Butterfly: The Complexity of U.S Ballots, touches on the issues presented in the traditional and most popular form of casting votes, the paper ballot. Although many consider this form to be the safest form of casting votes as opposed to other historical practices that involved public vote castings, and even the usage of new technologic machinery, it is still not immune to glitches. The article touches base on the lack of uniformity of paper ballots across states and their vulnerability to fraud and inefficiency. It is mentioned that just like other technological forms of casting votes, paper ballots are often confusing and can be altered by third parties. Variations from state to state include emblems, exclusion of candidates, renaming of candidates, and misleading instructions. It can therefore be said that those in charge of designing the ballot indirectly include biases, which can lead to the victory or downfall of a …show more content…
It is very interesting to see that while this generation is one of growing technological innovations, technology used in the precinct-voting-sites is still quite outdated when compared to other technologies being used. Moreover, a step closer to those expectations of simple to use technologies is that of convenience voting. In this aspect of voting, voters are given more ways of voting; such include, early ballot casting, absentee ballot, and even voting through the web. “Lowering the costs of voting will increase voter participation” (Gronke, 438), while this seems to be logical, the author argues in his article that the new forms of voting are belittling democratic traditions, which should be prioritized and idolized. The flaws surrounding these forms of voting include the pressure and increase cost imposed on electoral campaigns, and the deterioration of the actual act of going out to vote. In connection to Groke’s article, Hershey’s article discusses factors that affect turnout rates. The most prominent reasons being socioeconomic class and level of education; others include state imposed requirements such as voter cards and registration. Gronke also notes that those that utilize convenience voting are the more politically informed and educated groups and those faces with long
Niemi and Paul S. Herrnson’s article, Beyond the Butterfly: The Complexity of U.S Ballots, touches on the issues presented in the traditional and most popular form of casting votes, the paper ballot. Although many consider this form to be the safest form of casting votes as opposed to other historical practices that involved public vote castings, and even the usage of new technologic machinery, it is still not immune to glitches. The article touches base on the lack of uniformity of paper ballots across states and their vulnerability to fraud and inefficiency. It is mentioned that just like other technological forms of casting votes, paper ballots are often confusing and can be altered by third parties. Variations from state to state include emblems, exclusion of candidates, renaming of candidates, and misleading instructions. It can therefore be said that those in charge of designing the ballot indirectly include biases, which can lead to the victory or downfall of a …show more content…
It is very interesting to see that while this generation is one of growing technological innovations, technology used in the precinct-voting-sites is still quite outdated when compared to other technologies being used. Moreover, a step closer to those expectations of simple to use technologies is that of convenience voting. In this aspect of voting, voters are given more ways of voting; such include, early ballot casting, absentee ballot, and even voting through the web. “Lowering the costs of voting will increase voter participation” (Gronke, 438), while this seems to be logical, the author argues in his article that the new forms of voting are belittling democratic traditions, which should be prioritized and idolized. The flaws surrounding these forms of voting include the pressure and increase cost imposed on electoral campaigns, and the deterioration of the actual act of going out to vote. In connection to Groke’s article, Hershey’s article discusses factors that affect turnout rates. The most prominent reasons being socioeconomic class and level of education; others include state imposed requirements such as voter cards and registration. Gronke also notes that those that utilize convenience voting are the more politically informed and educated groups and those faces with long