Nonetheless, the data on the total percentages of eligible voters who
Nonetheless, the data on the total percentages of eligible voters who
The dispute between presidential candidates George W. Bush and Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election made the American population aware of the legitimacy of elections. Additionally, this event illustrated how deeply divided the nation truly is. The debate focused on the state of Florida where there was conflict regarding Bush’s 2,909,135 votes and Al Gore’s 2,907,351 votes [1]. The difference is a staggering 1,784 or about .03% [1]. Clay Roberts explains that, “Any difference of less than .5 of 1% triggers a mandatory machine recount” [1].…
The states have been given the freedom to set their own standards based on such aspects as citizenship, age, non-felon status, and residency, among others (Goldman, Berry & Janda, 2008). Throughout the state of Texas voter turnout has been at a low. In the 2014 Texas primary election, there was just a turnout of 13.3% of registered turnout. This is about 3% lower than the 16.3% turnout in the 2012 primary. By looking at this we can see that the law passed by the Texas legislature is affecting the voting turnouts.…
Individuals believe that amending these voting ID laws are acceptable, using the 15th amendment to back it up. The 15th amendment says that citizens of the U.S. would not be denied to vote emphasizing the word “citizen,” to point out that not everyone who lives in the United States is a…
Berman takes time to dissect the events that follow the 2008 election. Berman states that after former president Obama’s success, “three hundred and ninety five new voting restrictions were introduced in forty nine states” (18). These laws made efforts to vote increasingly difficult. Some of these laws include: government issued voter identification cards, purging voter rolls, and curtailing early voting. Berman argues that these aspects were targeting young people, African Americans, and women.…
For this research article, we will be examining the topic of race and its effect on voter turnout in the United States on the individual level. Voter turnout is defined as the number of eligible voters who participate in an election by casting a ballot for a candidate. Political scientists look at voter turnout to answer any number of questions ranging from the efficiency of democratic elections to the ever changing voter turnout numbers over the years and also as a means to measure the race, religion, political parties, education levels, etc. of the people voting to more accurately and specifically assess the characteristics and behavior of the typical voter. There are many ways to study the effects of voter turnout with this abundance of information. One could examine any number of variables that could conceivably affect, influence, deter, and also…
Since the information about how and when to register could be difficult to be accessed, some people have registration problems that stops them from voting. In addition, qualified voters tend to be discouraged from voting due to long waiting time and voter identification requirements. Some states require voters to bring identification document to verify their status to vote and that could potentially discourage voters from voting. Moreover, the voter turnout is decreased because convicted felons in some states are forbidden to vote.…
Vast amounts of voters have been turned away due to not having the “sufficient identification” to appease the polling workers. In Texas alone, nearly 1.4 million people were disenfranchised by the new voting laws (Rhodan 1). It is baffling that the disenfranchisement of millions is noted as a worthy and justifiable result of “solving” a problem that does not exist. Not only are people being denied the right to vote, but they are also being purged off of voter rolls. Such is the case in Virginia, where 38,000 unsuspecting individuals were thrown off the register due to the new laws (Liebelson 1).…
As laws that require voters to present photo identification to poll workers before they can cast a ballot have grown in popularity in many state houses across the nation since the start of the 21st century, they have also been met with increased partisanship. Democrats argue that voter ID laws are systematically implemented to disenfranchise poor and minority voters who traditionally support Democratic candidates and Republicans assert that voter ID laws are necessary to prevent voter fraud and preserve the integrity of American…
Finally, voting not being required negatively affects voter turnout since some people may not feel obligated to vote. National voter turnout is low contrasted with different nations, in any case, voter turnout in Texas is even lower than the national normal. As indicated by table 5-1, demonstrates a pattern where Texas is continuously marginally beneath the national normal with regards to voter turnout. In 2008, the national voter turnout was 61.7%, while Texas voter turnout was 53.7%. As the reading material states, "Americans in general are not known for high voter turnouts, but Texans seem to vote even less often than the residents of many other…
Essay Component The Texas Voter ID Law raises controversy and many questions regarding how much power a state has over voter registration. When considering these points I answered several questions as to what this law is doing in our state and what it could do in the future. The controversy surrounding the Texas Voter ID Law in regard to the U.S Constitution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 stems from the potential violation of poll taxes within the constitution and the act. Though the Texas Voter ID Law doesn’t violate the constitution by discrimination of race, sex, religion or age demonstrated within the 15th , 19th and 26th amendments, it could potentially violate the 24th amendment.…
The right to vote is one of the most important, fundamental rights given to American citizens. Yet, rather than seeking to make more convenient and accessible for citizens interested in engaging in the political process, state governments focus rather often focus time and resources on restricting voting and making the process more complex and difficult. States governments have the authority to determine not only who is allowed to register to vote, but also how the process of voting itself operates. Some states require ID just to cast a vote, such as Mississippi, which placed new restrictions on voting in 2016 which require certain forms of photo ID. Other states, for example Nebraska and Florida, place restrictions on early voting by taking…
In recent years, the Texas legislature passed a law that required a state-issued photo ID in order to vote. By passing this law, a number of questions have been raised regarding the recent passing of legislation in Texas that requires individuals to possess a state-issued photo ID in order to be allowed to vote. However, some people argue that the law would suppress the voter turnout because it would restrict some groups of people from voting. Question regarding are also raised about how much power states have in the regulation of election, especially considering the fact that federal standard have broader law such as the Voting Rights Act and relevant constitutional provisions. When we look at the voter I.D Law we have to look at how the law came to be.…
I certanily agree with you that in the past years the governments relationship with the citzens have changed dramatically. I too mentioned that today people do not understand the importance of voting. I never really thought about the fact that people do not vote simply because they do not trust the government. I have never understood why we are seen as the model of democracy when our voting turnouts have been tremendously low in the past decades. As you mentioned countries like Belgium and Turkey have compulsory-voting laws within their countries.…
States across the country are passing new voter ID laws. These laws happen to be supported strongly by Republicans and disapproved strongly by Democrats. The big question seems to be, does the new laws matter? The Indiana Supreme Court don’t think it matters.…
The Texas Voter Id law implemented in 2011 is a law that has been debated upon by millions. The law states that a citizen who has previously registered must show some form of identification and is only limited to five types: Driver’s License, Passport, Military Id, Gun Permit, or a State Issued Identification Card. This requirement limits the population of voters and discourages many to come out to the polls. Voting is a constitutional right and one of the best tools in effecting public policy as a normal citizen. “The Constitution itself forbids the denial of equal protection and the exclusion of voters on specific grounds, such as race, sex, failure to pay a poll tax or other tax, and, for those eighteen years old or older, age.”…