Explaining U.S. government
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Bridging the Divide
Chuck Bradley
If you had to explain how the United States government works to a friend, what would you say?
Would you explain how our government is different from a monarchy or a dictatorship? Would you talk about the basic tenets of democracy, namely, electing representatives to serve on behalf of the people?
Chances are, you would mention the process of voting. Voting is central to how our government functions – after all, voters decide who the decision-makers will be.
However, voting itself is a decision that citizens make, contingent on a variety of factors. Not every citizen casts their ballot in every election. To talk about who does go to the polls, we use the concept of voter turnout.
Although turnout can be measured in different ways, ultimately when we talk about voter turnout, we’re referring to the number or percentage of eligible voters who show up to vote in a given election. This amount fluctuates in every election. WHY?
It is generally agreed that the more voters make their voices heard through the electoral process, the more representative a democracy will be. Unfortunately, the United States has low voter turnout rates when compared to other modern democracies across the globe.
Typically, only about 50 to 60 percent of America’s voting-age population votes in presidential elections, with even less voting in midterm and primary elections. Many eligible citizens aren’t even registered to vote.
So why exactly is turnout so low? Although there are many reasons, experts generally point to our voting system, which can be inaccessible for many eligible participants. Some states have restrictive laws that suppress voter turnout by making it more difficult to cast a ballot. These laws may impose restrictions on how and when to register to vote and even draw voting districts in ways that ensure that large numbers of votes are wasted.
Election Day is always held on a Tuesday, when many individuals may find it difficult to make it to the polls because of work and child care responsibilities. These reasons may be artificial.
Many citizens simply don’t care enough to get involved in the political process, a phenomenon known as political apathy. It may also be a product of distrust for our political institutions, or a belief that voting doesn’t really make a difference.
As you can see, there are a wide variety of reasons why voter turnout fluctuates in the United States. Voting is a decision, and many decide they do not have the time or resources necessary to cast a ballot. If individuals don’t know an election is happening or are restricted from participating, the decision is made for them.
What is important is making sure that every citizen is motivated, informed and able to vote every November. How do we accomplish that feat?
We might consider policies such as making Election Day a national holiday, or automatically registering voters when they turn 18. The first thing we can do is talk to our friends and family and make sure they know what’s at stake next time they choose not to visit the voting booth.
We all have the power not only to make our own voices heard in the political process, but to elevate the voices of others by convincing them to participate with us.
Join us Tuesday night at the E-911 building in Rockford for refreshments at 6 p.m. and the meeting at 6:30 p.m. for our monthly public meeting.
Please send your questions or comments to bradleychuck92@gmail.com.
