The pluses on why compulsory voting might adress some of united states' ellection issues

Should the United States implement compulsory voting?

Imagine a country where the government ratifies a law to mandate individual citizens to vote. Would you feel threatened whether the government forced you to go to the voting booth just to make you aware of the right and responsibilities you are wasting as a U. S citizen? We can’t throw away a right for which many African Americans and women fought to enjoy and dispose of in the 1960s. I believe that the United States should implement compulsory voting for the following reasons: mandatory voting won’t violate individual liberties; however, it will strengthen the civil engagement of American citizens.

Mandatory voting does not violate civic liberties. The obligation to vote won’t infringe the rights of citizens to decide either to vote or don’t vote, but it would benefit the American system as well as the consciousness about the responsibilities acquired by a person whenever he or she becomes an American citizen. To illustrate this, in the text, Telling Americans to Vote, or Else by William A. Glaston. Glaston present Australia as one of the countries that implemented mandatory voting and its result have been remarkable. The initiative started when they were alarmed by the decline in voter turnout to less than 60% in 1922, so Australia took into action to mandate voting in 1924. This plan fined citizens in small amounts (it was roughly the size of traffic tickets). The most important fact is the law established permissible reasons for not voting, if you were ill or in a different country. Also, you could defend yourself for not voting if you were fined. “ The law brought the turnout soared to 91% during the election of 1925- it has been increasing in recent elections as well”. The law doesn’t solely transform the political system but it changes the civic norms. There is not much difference between U. S and Australia. But, United States can adopt the same plan as Australia did without disabling citizens ‘ rights.

Moreover, compulsory voting will imply greater civil engagement. The commitment of citizens will give the government the strong democratic legitimacy required to carry out the changes it intends. The participation of the total population compared to preceded years will increase significantly. Greater participation would mollify the growing sense of disillusionment and isolation that many people today feel with politics. For instance, from the speech, What Does It mean to Be an American Citizen? By Lee H. Hamilton, Lee argues that “ civic engagement can benefit citizens by giving attention to the advancement of the public interest or as the founding fathers called common good”. He also says, “ Civil engagement is your way of influencing for the better your neighborhood, community, state and nation. It means that if we are apathetic about our democracy, then we will invite leaders who abuse power.” Since a person is either born in this nation or fostered by it, they automatically become into a key piece for the betterment of the country. They have a legitimate voice to participate and decide through the election of a representative the future of themselves and the country. We need to engage because it will improve our democracy and it is the only way to make our government responsible to the people.

Conversely, opponents to the idea of compulsory voting demand that is unconstitutional because violate the guaranteed rights by the first amendment of the U. S. Constitution. Consequently, the first amendment of Freedom and Speech states, “ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” The U. S. Constitution in any instance declares the voting issue oficially involved in this amendment because the previous amendment establish rights and not duties. It is certain that voting is a right, but more than a right is a duty as American citizens. Therefore, this argument is irrelevant to the voting issue and this can be proved by the following cited quotes by Lee, “ With freedom comes obligation, with liberty comes duty.” If the deal is not kept, democracy is threatened. Besides, Lincoln said at Gettysburg: “ It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.” Again, mandatory voting will not affect American citizens. We owe those who preceded us, and we owe those who will follow an America that is even greater than it was transmitted to us.

To summarize, perhaps mandatory voting in the US states will not bring the same benefits as Australia, but following a successful initiative could anticipate the success for the United States. By emphasizing Australia’s outcomes, American citizens would still be free to demand unfairness when they have accurate reasons for not voting as well as the fees would be small. The results would be outstanding for the nation. I firmly stand in my position that mandatory voting should be implemented by the United States. If you want to get a responsive government, start working for the collective concerns that affect your community. How you can accomplish it? you need to vote and stimulate nonvoters to show up in the election day and you will see how big the impact will be in the United States’ political and social system.