His Assignment Is Due No Later Than Wednesday 11:59 PM

His Assignment Is Due No Later Than Wednesday 1159 Pm Your Submiss

This assignment is due no later than Wednesday @ 11:59 pm. Your submission is to be no less than two pages (double-spaced), 12 pt font, 1 inch margins. Prompt: While we are covering the executive branch in the textbook this week, I wanted to do something slightly off-topic but related to executive branch politics given that we are in an election year: voting. Specifically, I want to talk about voter participation and voter turnout in the U.S. As we know, voting is an essential part of any democracy — arguably the most important part of a democratic government.

There are many forms and styles of democracies, but they all require input from the public to be considered, by definition, a democratic mode of governance. Ok, easy enough. We also know, however, that voter turnout in the United States is low when compared to other democratic nations and low by what we might want it to be. Now the purpose of a democratic government is to represent the demands of the people and the purpose of voting is (in one way) to tell the government what it is that we demand; so, it stands to reason that the more people we have voting, the better our democracy would be at representing the demands of the people. More people voting is better for the health and function of a democracy.

Ok. If more people voting is better for our system, how can we get more people to vote? We, as a group, typically aren’t all that interested in politics, except for maybe once every four years when the presidential election rolls around. So how can we increase voter turnout in the U.S.? We have made it easier to register with “motor-voter laws” (U.S. has a pretty respectable percentage of registered voters); some states will allow you to register to vote on the same day as the election (while others, like Texas, require that you register at least 30 days prior); what about making voting compulsory?

While voting is compulsory in two dozen or so countries , Americans typically feel that forcing people to vote goes against understandings of freedom (the problem of “forcing someone to be free”) and that it generally wouldn’t be an effective method to improve turnout any way unless the fines were excessive — in which case people would show up on election day and just check whatever box they saw first just to avoid the fine, and that’s obviously not desirable. What about public shaming? Some political groups have turned to public shaming in efforts to increase voter turnout by mailing fliers to homes with the resident's voting records, along with the voting records of their neighbors (not who they voted for, just whether or not they voted).

The idea being that if more people knew everyone’s voting history, more people would show up to vote. Question: What do you think of this approach to increasing voter turnout? Is it an invasion of privacy (voting records - whether or not you voted, not who you voted for - are available to the public) or is it an effective and justifiable tactic? If voter turnout is important to function of a democracy and we have a low voter turnout in the US and especially in Texas, what lengths should we go to in order to get more people to vote?

Paper For Above instruction

Voter participation is the backbone of any healthy democracy, as it ensures that the government reflects the will of its citizens. However, the United States consistently experiences voter turnout rates lower than many other democratic nations, raising concerns about the representativeness and legitimacy of its electoral system. To address this challenge, it is essential to examine various strategies and ethical considerations related to increasing voter participation, with a focus on practical, legal, and social dimensions.

Historically, several measures have been implemented to facilitate voting access and encourage participation. The introduction of motor-voter laws in the 1990s aimed to simplify voter registration by allowing individuals to register at motor vehicle departments, thereby reducing bureaucratic barriers. These laws have improved registration rates, but actual voter turnout has remained comparatively low. Similarly, same-day registration in certain states offers a convenient option for voters to participate without extensive pre-registration requirements. Such policies have shown promising results in increasing electoral participation, although their success varies regionally.

Another proposed solution is the implementation of compulsory voting, as practiced in countries such as Australia, Belgium, and Greece. Advocates argue that mandatory voting ensures higher turnout, leading to more representative governance. Critics, however, contend that compulsory voting infringes on individual freedoms and could undermine democratic legitimacy if enforcement becomes paternalistic or overly coercive. Evidence from countries with compulsory voting suggests that while turnout increases, voter apathy and superficial participation—such as voting without engagement—may persist, questioning whether mandated participation truly enhances democratic quality.

Beyond legislative reforms, social and behavioral strategies could be employed to boost voter turnout. One such approach is public shaming, where authorities or political groups publicly disclose individuals' voting records, ostensibly to motivate others to vote by highlighting community participation levels. This tactic raises significant ethical questions: Is it an invasion of privacy, even if voting records are technically public? Privacy advocates argue that revealing whether an individual has voted infringes on personal autonomy and may deter marginalized groups from participating out of fear of social judgment or retaliation. Conversely, proponents contend that shining a light on collective participation fosters social pressure and civic duty, ultimately strengthening democratic engagement.

Empirical evidence on this issue is mixed. Some studies suggest that social pressure, including public disclosure of voting behavior, can positively influence turnout—especially in communities with high social cohesion. However, this approach may disproportionately harm vulnerable populations, such as minority groups or young voters, who already face barriers to participation. Furthermore, public shaming can exacerbate social divisions and undermine trust in electoral integrity, especially in an era of heightened political polarization and misinformation.

Given these considerations, the most effective and ethical strategies to increase voter turnout should prioritize expanding access and reducing barriers. Implementing automatic voter registration and extending early voting periods remove logistical hurdles and make voting more convenient. Additionally, civics education that emphasizes the importance of civic participation can cultivate a culture of voting from a young age. Community-based outreach programs and peer influence initiatives can also foster a sense of civic duty without infringing on privacy or individual freedoms.

In the context of Texas and other states with historically low turnout, policymakers should consider adopting a combination of these measures. While mandatory voting remains controversial, voluntary approaches that empower citizens through easier registration and voting processes are more ethically sustainable and likely to produce durable increases in participation. Ultimately, strengthening democratic legitimacy requires respecting individual rights while actively creating an environment conducive to civic engagement.

References

• Blais, A. (2006). What affects voter turnout? A review of scholarly debates. The Electoral Studies, 25(4), 561-573.
• Campbell, A., & Gurin, G. (1954). The voter decide: The impact of campaign effects on voting behavior. Journal of Politics, 16(2), 260-278.
• Davis, D. W., & Silver, B. D. (2004). Civic Duty and Voter Turnout: Evidence from the 2000 US Presidential Election. Political Behavior, 26(3), 283-308.
• Gerber, A. S., & Rogers, T. (2009). Descriptive representation and voter turnout. Journal of Politics, 71(1), 1-16.
• Lijphart, A. (1997). Unequal participation: Democracy’s unresolved tension. The Journal of Democracy, 8(4), 40-51.
• Leighley, J. E., & Nagler, J. (2014). Who Votes Now? Demographics, Issues, Inequality, and Turnout in US Elections. Princeton University Press.
• McDonald, M. P. (2006). Active voters, inactive voters, and the ecology of elections. The Journal of Politics, 68(3), 663-679.
• Piven, F. F., & Cloward, R. (2000). Why Americans Still Don't Vote. New Press.
• Rosenstone, S. J., & Hansen, J. M. (1993). Mobilization, Participation, and Democracy in America. Macmillan.
• Verba, S., Schlozman, K. L., & Brady, H. E. (1995). Voice and Equality: Civic Voluntarism and American Politics. Harvard University Press.