Mandatory Voting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Mandatory Voting - Essay Example While the current electoral system is not producing a high percentage of citizens voting, the alternatives - to levy incentives or penalties or lower the voting age - do not address the core problems. The American voting process is a well-thought out plan that works, however voter turnout will not increase until citizens relate the importance to their own well-being and lowering the voting age would not help; conversely the institution of an "apathy tax" as penalty for not voting could be effective. As Miller states, the current electoral system in the United States is working just as it should. However, there is no doubt that with the current system, voter turnout has been poor. One of the main reasons for this is that citizens do not view voting as being in their own best interests. They reason that there is nothing tangible realized from voting; no strong motive to do so, and consequently, they do nothing. This is, according to John Dean, columnist for Findlaw.com and former counsel to the President of the United States in his 2003 article "Is It Time to Consider Mandatory Voting Laws", a national disgrace, and rightly so. Generation after generation, the percentage of citizens voting declines. It is critical to note that without a standard in addition to the established voting system, the present problems and issues keeping citizens from the polls will continue. Voters must be prodded in a way which appeals to their sense of obligation to society in order to become properly registered and exercise their right to vote. Citizens must remember there is a social contract with their government which loses its legitimacy if they do not vote. When voters are lax about upholding their end of the agreement, it becomes imperative to look more closely at the role of government and whether the electoral process is focused on the results at the polls or what is the best process for electing the country's leader. It will take a concerted effort to convince citizens to forgo their natural apathy and do what is best for the democratic system of the United States, however, it is not the system itself which must be reformed. Lowering the legal voting age has been proposed by some but to do so would be ineffective in ensuring mature, informed votes. Citizens younger than 18 are not mature enough, nor have they sufficient experience to make an informed voting decision; many would simply vote in tandem with their parents or other influential adults without the ability to use their own critical judgment. However, targeting 18-year-old voters would be very beneficial, as Democrat Joe Coto proposes, according to the 2007 Sacramento Bee article by Jim Sanders, "Register to Vote, Get Diploma". Coto has recently authored a bill, AB 183, which would induce young people to register to vote or be penalized by not receiving their high school diploma. In this way, the message becomes clear that our political system requires citizens "to keep