Democracy
Tuesday June 6th is election day here in California.
Yes, thats right. Tuesday June 6th.
Wait, don't tell me. Some of you were thinking "Isn't election day sometime in November?"
Well, technically yes it is. But there are also a number of elections that are held throughout the year for local elections and such things.
Tuesday's election is the primary election for the midterm 2006 election year. Which spurs a couple of thoughts in my head, so I'm going to spell them out here. Definitely feel free to post comments on this one, I feel that this is a pretty important post.
That said, lets consider recent rhetoric all over America, usually espoused by President Bush:
"We are bringing Democracy to the middle east"
"They [islamic fundamentalists] threaten our values and ideals"
"You are either with us, or against us"
"America will never run... And we will always be grateful that liberty has found such brave defenders"
"America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests and teach us what it means to be citizens."
"Chew before you swallow" (Hah, I just had to throw that one in)
So we all know about Democracy and all its properties: power to the people, a government by the people for the people, people's checks on abusive and tyrannical governments, all in all to prevent another King George III. (Or William Henry Harrison, who died in office a month after inauguration because the guy refused to wear a coat in a DC winter. Do we REALLY want these people leading our nation?)
But how much do Americans really care about their democracy that they value oh-so-much and that they want to bequeath to the entire world?
There are approximately 186 million eligible voters in the United States. This means you are over 18 and havent committed any felonies, yet. There are 130 million registered voters. That's only 70%. America already gets a "C-" for voter registration. According to John. W. Dean, about 111 million voters turned out for the 2000 presidential election. Pull out your calculators and plug in the numbers. Thats just under 60% (59.67) of eligible voters who actually cast a ballot in the 2000 election, down from 69.3% in 1964. Then again, thats when JFK was running. (PBS differs with an estimated turnout in 2000 of 54%) With a generous curve, thats a "D-". Uh oh, starting to look like President Bush's College Report Card. And that was only the presidential election. Italy on the other hand, rolls at 92.5% voter turnout, according to PBS. They get an "A."
Lets take a quick look at midterm elections, years not unlike this one. Estimated turnout in 1998: 36.4%. Down from a whopping 55.4% in 1966. The population that votes in presidential elections today, is almost as small as the population that voted in midterms 40 years ago. PBS's data is from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, which for the most part seems pretty reliable if for no other reason than it has the words "International Institute" in its name.
1998 voter turnout in Mississippi according to the US Election Assistance Commission was 25% Montana had the highest at 51%, Oregon checks in at 45%, Maryland at 39.4% and California at 35.1%
Turnout for primary and non federal elections turns out to be roughly the same, the West Virginia Secretary of State's office published this information regarding their turnout. 1972 showed nearly a 50% turnout rating, and 1998 yielded only 32.15%
I've presented to you the statistics, now what to make of them?
There are a couple of things to account for turnout. Obviously, the candidates are a major factor. If they are as boring and large as William Taft, the population wont want to get out and vote. However, if a candidate can energize and mobilize people with charisma like JFK, turnout increases (see above statistic). but surely that cant be the only reason that 67.85% of the people decide not to vote in an election.
The political issues of the time are also a major factor. President Bush in 2004 was able to mobilize a HUGE section of his conservative base by calling for the gay marriage amendment and privitization to social security. President Clinton made his way to the White House in 1992 by harping on the economy. Andrew Jackson waltzed into Washington the second time around in 1832 by railing against the Nicholas Biddle and the Bank of the United States to win 59% of the popular vote.
Seriously though, these are not solid enough reasons to justify NOT voting in an election. "My vote won't make a difference," is probably the number one justification by Americans for not voting in an election. This statement has become increasingly false in recent years, as elections of all kinds, presidential, congressional, and gubernatorial have all been the closest in recent memory. Handfuls of votes do make a difference, now more than ever.
I dont need to go into any political theory to tell you why having the right to vote is important. They bored the hell out of you with that stuff in 4th grade. And 8th grade. And in 11th. And in 12th. And in college.
While writing this post, my friend Raghu made an important observation. The United States is not a direct democracy, like the Athenians had it set up. The US is a representative republic. We elect people to make our decisions for us. This means that getting the right people in office is even more important, and therefore your vote becomes even more crucial. We try our best not to have Bozo the Clown running the show. (instead we choose the terminator)
Now I'm not saying average people are not qualified to govern. Andrew Jackson believed that a government by the people should be run by the people, and he introduced the spoils system. What I am saying however, is that people really should care more about who their leaders are. Yeah, you've heard this before. But seriously, people don't take enough advantage of it. For me, its not so interesting. I live in a pretty solidly democratic area, and the Democratic Candidate for office will win easily in my precinct. This post is really directed to all those who dont live in pre-determined precincts. Florida. Ohio. Iowa. Wisconsin. New Mexico. Swing States. This is where voter apathy is most harmful, because you are the people who decide our fate. I think the lack of turnout in these areas is most shocking, because voters here can directly feel the most power, as their choices determine the future of this nation.
Not every election is as interesting as the vice presidential election of 1800 Thomas Jefferson vs. Aaron Burr. Then again, not all are going to be as boring as FDR's 50th reelection. The primaries wont be as interesting as the November election, and midterms arent as interesing as presidential elections. However, each election is important. There are more laws than those set up by the Federal government, city and state laws govern your actions just as much as federal laws.
We speak of democracy, but we rank 139th out of 172 democracies as of 2003. Some have proposed the solution of mandatory voting laws. There are several problems with this, and for a complete analysis of that, see John Dean's Article here. I think a better solution, an idea floated by some a long time ago is a national election holiday. This would make either a full holiday, or a half day out of all election days, giving working citizens time off specifically to go to the polls and cast their ballot. The cost of this is minimal really, since the social costs of not voting are higher than the economical cost of a few hour's pay. If the wrong person gets into office, and the economy tanks, you are going to be worried about a lot more than the few dollars you lost casting your ballot. Ways around losing those bucks are already present, including voting absentee days before an election and dropping your card off in a postage paid envelope, literally at zero cost to the voter. You can make a decision in the conveniance of your own home, the weekend before the election if you so choose. At least vote this way, if you have a job and cant make it to the polls.
Having a job doesnt prevent you from going to the polls. Polls are usually open from 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM, well after working hours hopefully so working citizens can get their ballot in before the polls close. Polling stations are distributed throughout residential neighborhoods, so you dont have to go far to cast your ballot either. Mine is literally a mile from my house. I can walk there if I so chose.
Dont know who your candidates are? Google them. Resources are available online that include platforms and endorsements. The Registrar of Voters sends out an information pamphlet weeks before the election. You may also go to sites such as www.smartvoter.org
The system has been set up much more conveniantly than the Jim Crow times of the 1800's. Things have been designed so everyone can cast a ballot who is eligible. The turnout for this country in recent years has been a disgrace. From the country that brought democracy to the world, its a sign of pure hypocrasy. Lets live up to the ideals that we gifted to the world, and get out there and actually cast your ballot. There is no such thing as an unimportant election, or a vote that "doesn't count."
Yes, thats right. Tuesday June 6th.
Wait, don't tell me. Some of you were thinking "Isn't election day sometime in November?"
Well, technically yes it is. But there are also a number of elections that are held throughout the year for local elections and such things.
Tuesday's election is the primary election for the midterm 2006 election year. Which spurs a couple of thoughts in my head, so I'm going to spell them out here. Definitely feel free to post comments on this one, I feel that this is a pretty important post.
That said, lets consider recent rhetoric all over America, usually espoused by President Bush:
"We are bringing Democracy to the middle east"
"They [islamic fundamentalists] threaten our values and ideals"
"You are either with us, or against us"
"America will never run... And we will always be grateful that liberty has found such brave defenders"
"America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests and teach us what it means to be citizens."
"Chew before you swallow" (Hah, I just had to throw that one in)
So we all know about Democracy and all its properties: power to the people, a government by the people for the people, people's checks on abusive and tyrannical governments, all in all to prevent another King George III. (Or William Henry Harrison, who died in office a month after inauguration because the guy refused to wear a coat in a DC winter. Do we REALLY want these people leading our nation?)
But how much do Americans really care about their democracy that they value oh-so-much and that they want to bequeath to the entire world?
There are approximately 186 million eligible voters in the United States. This means you are over 18 and havent committed any felonies, yet. There are 130 million registered voters. That's only 70%. America already gets a "C-" for voter registration. According to John. W. Dean, about 111 million voters turned out for the 2000 presidential election. Pull out your calculators and plug in the numbers. Thats just under 60% (59.67) of eligible voters who actually cast a ballot in the 2000 election, down from 69.3% in 1964. Then again, thats when JFK was running. (PBS differs with an estimated turnout in 2000 of 54%) With a generous curve, thats a "D-". Uh oh, starting to look like President Bush's College Report Card. And that was only the presidential election. Italy on the other hand, rolls at 92.5% voter turnout, according to PBS. They get an "A."
Lets take a quick look at midterm elections, years not unlike this one. Estimated turnout in 1998: 36.4%. Down from a whopping 55.4% in 1966. The population that votes in presidential elections today, is almost as small as the population that voted in midterms 40 years ago. PBS's data is from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, which for the most part seems pretty reliable if for no other reason than it has the words "International Institute" in its name.
1998 voter turnout in Mississippi according to the US Election Assistance Commission was 25% Montana had the highest at 51%, Oregon checks in at 45%, Maryland at 39.4% and California at 35.1%
Turnout for primary and non federal elections turns out to be roughly the same, the West Virginia Secretary of State's office published this information regarding their turnout. 1972 showed nearly a 50% turnout rating, and 1998 yielded only 32.15%
I've presented to you the statistics, now what to make of them?
There are a couple of things to account for turnout. Obviously, the candidates are a major factor. If they are as boring and large as William Taft, the population wont want to get out and vote. However, if a candidate can energize and mobilize people with charisma like JFK, turnout increases (see above statistic). but surely that cant be the only reason that 67.85% of the people decide not to vote in an election.
The political issues of the time are also a major factor. President Bush in 2004 was able to mobilize a HUGE section of his conservative base by calling for the gay marriage amendment and privitization to social security. President Clinton made his way to the White House in 1992 by harping on the economy. Andrew Jackson waltzed into Washington the second time around in 1832 by railing against the Nicholas Biddle and the Bank of the United States to win 59% of the popular vote.
Seriously though, these are not solid enough reasons to justify NOT voting in an election. "My vote won't make a difference," is probably the number one justification by Americans for not voting in an election. This statement has become increasingly false in recent years, as elections of all kinds, presidential, congressional, and gubernatorial have all been the closest in recent memory. Handfuls of votes do make a difference, now more than ever.
I dont need to go into any political theory to tell you why having the right to vote is important. They bored the hell out of you with that stuff in 4th grade. And 8th grade. And in 11th. And in 12th. And in college.
While writing this post, my friend Raghu made an important observation. The United States is not a direct democracy, like the Athenians had it set up. The US is a representative republic. We elect people to make our decisions for us. This means that getting the right people in office is even more important, and therefore your vote becomes even more crucial. We try our best not to have Bozo the Clown running the show. (instead we choose the terminator)
Now I'm not saying average people are not qualified to govern. Andrew Jackson believed that a government by the people should be run by the people, and he introduced the spoils system. What I am saying however, is that people really should care more about who their leaders are. Yeah, you've heard this before. But seriously, people don't take enough advantage of it. For me, its not so interesting. I live in a pretty solidly democratic area, and the Democratic Candidate for office will win easily in my precinct. This post is really directed to all those who dont live in pre-determined precincts. Florida. Ohio. Iowa. Wisconsin. New Mexico. Swing States. This is where voter apathy is most harmful, because you are the people who decide our fate. I think the lack of turnout in these areas is most shocking, because voters here can directly feel the most power, as their choices determine the future of this nation.
Not every election is as interesting as the vice presidential election of 1800 Thomas Jefferson vs. Aaron Burr. Then again, not all are going to be as boring as FDR's 50th reelection. The primaries wont be as interesting as the November election, and midterms arent as interesing as presidential elections. However, each election is important. There are more laws than those set up by the Federal government, city and state laws govern your actions just as much as federal laws.
We speak of democracy, but we rank 139th out of 172 democracies as of 2003. Some have proposed the solution of mandatory voting laws. There are several problems with this, and for a complete analysis of that, see John Dean's Article here. I think a better solution, an idea floated by some a long time ago is a national election holiday. This would make either a full holiday, or a half day out of all election days, giving working citizens time off specifically to go to the polls and cast their ballot. The cost of this is minimal really, since the social costs of not voting are higher than the economical cost of a few hour's pay. If the wrong person gets into office, and the economy tanks, you are going to be worried about a lot more than the few dollars you lost casting your ballot. Ways around losing those bucks are already present, including voting absentee days before an election and dropping your card off in a postage paid envelope, literally at zero cost to the voter. You can make a decision in the conveniance of your own home, the weekend before the election if you so choose. At least vote this way, if you have a job and cant make it to the polls.
Having a job doesnt prevent you from going to the polls. Polls are usually open from 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM, well after working hours hopefully so working citizens can get their ballot in before the polls close. Polling stations are distributed throughout residential neighborhoods, so you dont have to go far to cast your ballot either. Mine is literally a mile from my house. I can walk there if I so chose.
Dont know who your candidates are? Google them. Resources are available online that include platforms and endorsements. The Registrar of Voters sends out an information pamphlet weeks before the election. You may also go to sites such as www.smartvoter.org
The system has been set up much more conveniantly than the Jim Crow times of the 1800's. Things have been designed so everyone can cast a ballot who is eligible. The turnout for this country in recent years has been a disgrace. From the country that brought democracy to the world, its a sign of pure hypocrasy. Lets live up to the ideals that we gifted to the world, and get out there and actually cast your ballot. There is no such thing as an unimportant election, or a vote that "doesn't count."
posted by AC at 11:33 PM
12 Comments:
As a canadian (don't hate), i'd love to vote but can't. After thinking a lot over the past year, i think the first step to solving a lot of problems in this country is getting people more active in participating in the country (i.e. voting).
i mean, bush's rhetoric just seems to reinforce the fact that not only do the people who take advantage of the system able to determine action on important issues, they're able to define the issues themselves (since when did a question of not unnecessarily targetting civilians have anything to do with showing our fear?)People need to take back the political agenda and define what's important.
I suppose I did forget one thing in my post, and thats the role of the media in today's elections as opposed to 1830.
Is deciding between a man who went AWOL 30 years ago and one who refuses to shave his beard and slept with the third cousin of a fourth aunt's fifteenth nephew a turnoff for voters?
I'd think it is.
It's high time the media stopped looking at 'human interest' stories and starting looking at stories that are in the interests of humanity, issue stories.
Of course, we've all heard that one before. But when's the change coming? Or How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop?
The world may never know.
First of all, fucking amazing post, the historical allusions brought me back to my APUSH days. You should consider writing professionally!
Second, I completely agree with you. In 6 months I'll be 18 and have the right to vote, and there is no way in hell I am going to sit on my ass while the rest of the country elects another idiot (or even worse, Jeb Bush) into the White House in 2008. The good part of this issue is that there are forces that recognize the problem and are trying to get more people to the polls, like MTV's Vote or Die campaign. Maybe these movements coupled with substantive issues like the Federal Marriage Amendment and the War in Iraq will actually push people into using the political tools that they so often take for granted.
Keep Writing!
-Nikhil
I agree; it's a great post. It's very insightful. I think another reason people don't vote, especially in midterms or primaries, is that they simply don't know enough to have an educated opinion. People should make an effort to learn about issues and candidates instead of not voting at all, or worse, voting based on wrong or misguided assumptions.
homie-
good commentary. sounds like an essay or some shit for class haha. The one problem i have is that you fail to account for voter apathy due to genuine dislike for party politics. What i mean is that people might believe that the "packaged and parcelled" candidates do not represent their beliefs and voting for them would be a misrepresentation of their values. This has nothing to do with charisma or leadership skills but with straight up not agreeing with either of the candidates. Even though i personally would always vote, this could be considered a legitimate reason why people dont vote.
-shyaam
Legit legit I can't really say much for two reasons. One, on a technicality none of this shit affects me as I'm not a citizen and two, both because and regardless of the fact that none of this affects me, it doesn't make a difference. Haha sorry if my apathy detracts from your post kuta
Legit legit I can't really say much for two reasons. One, on a technicality none of this shit affects me as I'm not a citizen and two, both because and regardless of the fact that none of this affects me, it doesn't make a difference. Haha sorry if my apathy detracts from your post kuta
Email that to your school's newpaper editor, and get started for next year man.
For me, mainly its that in my family, in my community i have not yet felt the pressure to make my voice heard outside of school. It seems as though i feel separate from the true functionings of governemnt becuase i grew up in such a protected and self contained neighborhood.
Maybe it is time i go out and see whats out there to affect, on to bigger and better things than student council.
I do have trouble with choosing sides though, from what research i have done in the past, i usually like things the way they are, unless its one issue that i feel strongly about. This makes a problem becuase usually someone running for office might support the one thing i want to change, but wishes to change everything else as well, that i like just fine as it is. So here I am stuck in middleville, unable to choose a single side, yet sympathetic to both.
See heres a simple example: I like playing with guns, airsoft guns, and fireworks, and other such big-boy toys, i find them exciting. Now maybe for public office everything i support about the next cupertino mayor...except that he or she wants to ban all airsoft guns in the city. This is all hypothetical, of course, but you see my delemma.
~Brian Wang
Don't make fun of George Bush's report card. He is (was) most likely a lot smarter than you. He went to Yale, you go to Maryland.
What about the obvious issue here: do you think we should institute compulsory voting?
Obviously that has its pros and cons, but if low turnout is your primary concern, making voting mandatory solves that problem easily. A lot of other countries have laws like that, including Italy (which you cited as a country with 'A'-level turnout). Check out this site for a list of countries that have compulsory voting; you'll notice that level of enforcement varies from country to country. In Australia, it's a serious deal if you don't vote. Other places, not so much.
Anyway, interesting post. You should write on this blog more often, and have you considered writing for the Diamondback in the fall? The op-editor Sing is friends with a lot of the debate guys like Ben, Nikhil, Goutham, and me, so if you're interested, I think he'd take you.
Lastly, no love for my blog on your friends list? :-p
Great post. Use of statistics and the very snappy writing kept my interest, and I don't know jack shit about politics. A very relevent topic, you should keep telling me when you write like this.
im curious to see what you think of compulsory voting. post on that
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