Voting refers to the process where a group of people makes their decision or expresses their views about something. In any democratic system voting is through an election. Political voting results to appointment of representatives in a certain government, (Lupia and McCubbins 1998). In the United States, elections during the earliest elections were conducted either by voice vote or paper ballots that were put into ballot boxes. Later improvements followed after growth of the United States and expansion of the electorate decades after the civil war.
The Australian or blanket ballot form was introduced. It listed the names all candidates. The ballot boxes were also installed with new security features. In the 1960s, the United States elections moved from mechanical to electronic. There was introduction of computer-read ballot systems, which triumphed over mechanical machines. A computer punch card ballot is perforated by the votes either by using a stylus or punch. In the 1990s, computer touch screen came into use where votes are captured digitally.
This is through use of familiar graphic layouts by Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) Voting systems. According to Smithstein (2005) the ability to vote is as a result of a cherished constitutional right. Many people fought for it, marched for it and even died. Voting ensures a country remains democratic. Citizens, who fail to vote, can be said to give away their right to influence the government. The will of the minority normally replaces the will of the majority, when some citizens fall to vote (Campbell, et al. 1960).
A popular vote is said to cultivate greater and broader support through out the entire nation during an election. It is worth noting that, in the United States the voter turn out during the elections has been declining over the years. This has raised concerns and a proposition to make voting mandatory should be looked at. In support of this proposition and those against it will be examined. Voting is a constitutional right and offers every citizen (eligible voter) a chance to practice his or her right. Citizens get to know their elected leaders and officials, both locally and nationally.
They can voice their complaints to the relevant representatives when the need arises. The elected local authorities that are elected govern levying of taxes and implementation of laws. Electing the right leaders promote fair levying of taxes and implementation of the laws. The views of a voter are reflected in the leaders that he/she votes for. A candidate’s views in future may represent those of the voter, in order of priorities that improve the living standards in a society. In most cases, citizen’s vies follow priorities as dictated by their needs.
Voting gives a citizen an opportunity to elect someone who may cater for their needs as a result of having similar views to those of the citizen who elected him or her. There are factors that also discourage voting of eligible voters. Citizens may view all candidates as the same and see no value I voting. The candidates may not represent the change that the citizens advocate for other lack the financial ability to cater for financial costs in the process of voting (for example, lack of transport charges, to the polling stations.
The polling process may be very uncomfortable to citizens. (for example ,if overcrowded). In this research paper, the importance of voting will be discussed. Discussion Voting indicates the support or preference of a proposition or candidate by citizens. Voting is carried out through elections. Voting can be done through various methods. These methods may include discussions, debates or casting of ballots (campbel et al, 1960) Voting is crucial because of the value that is attached to it. In any democratic country, voting is carried out through the election.
In most democratic states, it is a constitutional right of each and every eligible voter to vote for his or her leaders. Citizens who fail to vote can be said to give away their right to influence the government. The will of the minority normally replaces the will of the majority when some citizens fail to vote (Campbell, et al, 1960) A major principle of democracy is the majority rule, where a system of governance is based on the preference or support of the majority. Citizens give teams of political leaders they have elected the right to rule.
Citizens through voting participate in formulating laws and policies either through their representatives or even directly. The laws and policies govern the various departments of the government. Laws and policies that determine the welfare of the citizens guide health services education institutions. When a citizen votes he or she can vote for leaders who can improve their standards of living through the policies and laws development and implementation. Voting is considered very crucial due to the positive change. It brings in the system of governance.
In a democratic state, people are given the right to decide how the country will be run, the states and even town. Through the elections, citizens are given a new chance to make adjustments to the course of governance in their countries. The people voice their opinions through casting of their votes (Smithstein et al, 2005) The citizens can promote positive change in the system of governance and other aspects of state development through voting in of good leaders. Through voting citizens bring change by electing leaders who implement change both at the national and grass root levels.
The government through its elected and appointed officials sets the public health issues and education policies. Some policies do not effectively cater for the needs of the citizens. These policies require to be changed in order to be flexible with the changing needs of the people. Voting in good and committed leaders will play a big role in them representing the views and needs of an average citizen. These leaders result to positive change. This consequently improves the living standards of the citizens. The citizens can acquire health services, education and other basic needs comfortably (Lupia et al, 1998).
The winning president in an election has an enormous impact on the people, and children’s future for many years that follow. The president has the powers to nominate a new justice and court. The winning president in an election has an enormous impact on the people children’s future for many years that follow. The president has the powers to nominate a new justice and Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is very important in the United States. It is responsible for making the ultimate decision on how each and every American lives.
This is after passing of laws and veto bills by the president together with the congress. If all citizens (eligible) voted, then it would guarantee them that decisions made by the Supreme Court are as a result of their vote. They are responsible for those decisions and would be ready to support and implement them. This would ensure appropriate social standards in the community (Smithstein, 2005). The court is very important because it makes the ultimate decision on how each and every citizen lives. Laws and bills are approved after the president and the legislature discuss them.
If all citizens that are eligible to vote voted, then it would guarantee them that the decisions made by the government leaders are influenced by the votes. The citizens will then feel responsible for the decisions that are made. They support the decisions and participate in success of the implementation programs. Community programs that are introduced can address the citizen’s needs (Smithstein et al, 2005). Complains and disagreements can be addressed well by the citizens when they vote. The ability to vote have been fought for and people have died over the centuries to acquire it.
The voting process, which is part of an electoral process, offers citizens an opportunity to know their elected leaders and officials, both local and national leaders. Whenever a problem or challenge arises citizens can therefore be able to voice their complaints to the relevant representatives or authorities when the need arises. The leaders, after all, should work for the citizens who elected them. This clearly indicates that each citizen’s vote is important in an election. In normal life, citizens are faced with challenges.
For example lack of proper services by the local authorities (for example good sanitation, proper waste management, education facilities) pose a challenge to the citizens day to day life. Where complains should be voiced out, a citizen who voted is able to identify the relevant authorities or representative to report to. The election and voting process creates awareness to the citizen about their leaders and their duties to them. The problems that are quickly identified and reported require immediate solutions. The solutions can be designed to solve the problems arising (ESG, 2004).
This also works very effectively, to stop further complications that may have resulted from failure to solve the initial problem. Voting promotes equality. Equality refers to the distribution of resources to all people regardless of their origin, race or colour. Citizens have been given the right to elect good or bad leaders. Responsible leaders advocate for the wellbeing of all citizens in the country. Equal representatives in the number of all classes of people ensure that resources are allocated to the people in priority of their needs. This prevents undermining of a minor group of people by the majority.
All citizens can be able to benefit from the sate resources. Democracy discourages dictatorship rule. This form of ruling has one person or a small group of people possessing absolute power and which affects the citizens’ way of life. On the other hand, voting in a democratic state allows citizens to make their opinion on laws and policies that will govern them (Smithstein et al, 2005) However, some voters see no value in voting due to various reasons. One reason is the lack of financial ability of a citizen to pay for services that will necessitate his or her voting. The people are either unemployed or are poorly paid.
The polling stations are also claimed to be too crowded, where a lot o time is wasted before one casts his or her vote. Establishing many and efficient polling stations will ease out the crowding. Some citizens may view all candidates as being the same in terms of their opinion and principles. The citizens therefore see no value in voting. Summary Voting plays a very important role in the governance of a nation, state or a local authority. The governing systems make very important decisions on undertakings of he government, development and implementation of nation building policies and laws.
In the global world, voting is advocated to be carried out by every eligible voter. While some citizens are willing to vote, others do not see the value in voting and choose not to vote at all. Voting may be important to some while to others it adds no value to their lives. Those who votes have their own reasons, while those who do not vote, also have their reasons. The reasons accorded to voting are very vital and need to be recognized by citizens. Awareness on the need to vote gives all citizens a chance to make a sound decision on whether to vote or not. Conclusion
In any democratic state, voting should be accorded the crucial role it deserves either by the citizens or the government. Though excuses are given for not voting, it is a process that should be taken seriously. Citizens need to be aware on the importance of voting and how it affects them. This can be done through awareness campaigns, workshops, education, curricula and community organizations. The citizens need to be empowered in order for them to recognize the importance of their vote. In the world, there are many countries where people do not get a privilege to vote. As citizens our votes count in any electoral process.
The citizens have a great responsibility to ensure good governance in the country. Voting in addition offers citizens a chance to rectify their past mistakes of electing the wrong leaders. Voting is important and all eligible voters should vote
References
Campbell, Converse, Miller, and Strokes, 1960. The American Voter. New York: John Willey and sons, Inc. ESG Advocacy Project Committee. 2004. Why Should I get involved? Lupia and McCubins. 1998. The democratic Dilemma. Cambridge University Press Smithstein, Carol 2005. “Why Bother to Vote at All? Why Voting is Important. http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/united-states