Compulsory Voting In America

When I was a small child, I remember sitting and listening, awestruck, as my great-grandfather recalled tales of his war experience. Once, his plane went down in the Pacific Ocean, and he survived for a week, floating in a crate on the ocean with no food, fresh water, or way to contact help. He very nearly died. Blessedly, he was rescued and escorted to safety. After hearing this, I had a newfound gratefulness that he not only had served his country, but that he made it home to his family. Unfortunately, many do not make it back home, many of which were brave soldiers fighting for our right to vote; a privilege that we often take for granted, or even do not wish to do. We are so absorbed in our own lives, only concerned with that latest television …show more content…
Every year, United States citizens flood to the ballots to input their opinion on a vital issue, ranging from presidential elections to local and state decisions. However, in recent years, voter attendance has drastically fallen. In the 2016 presidential election, the voter turnout was only 58%. (telegraph.org) It is fundamental that we recognize the significance and importance of voting, not only for ourselves but for our country. Currently, there are more than 80 million people who cannot vote. Their governments are notwithstanding, led with arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable policies, and they have no voice in which to change this. Voting is not only a right. Voting is a privilege, a privilege that roughly more than 58,000 Americans died for to observe in our country. It is contemptuous to their memories and their families to not attend the polls. Though the United States have not accepted a compulsory voting policy, this may just hold the predetermination we require. By hosting mandatory elections, they would generate truly valid results. With all of the able bodied Americans voting, the results could not be skewed by lack of