Essay On Why Americans Should Not Be Required To Vote

American citizens should not be required to vote, because mandatory voting contradicts the purpose of democracy itself. When you think of democracy, the word freedom will often come to mind. This freedom is linked to a democratic society, and it includes the right to vote, but it also includes the right not to vote or voice opinion.

If people were required by law to cast their vote, a great deal of problems would arise that could potentially compromise the foundations of the voting system itself, along with the freedoms that many citizens often take for granted. Although this policy is successful in other countries, compulsory voting in the United States would only be problematic because of the American people 's belief in the freedom to

Mandating voting made "discourage the political education of the electorate" (text 2, line 20) by forcing some voters to "choose candidates arbitrarily or for the wrong reasons because they do not want to be find or punished for not doing their hypothetical duty" (text 3, lines 31-32). Random voters do not legitimize a democracy and its ideals, but rather contradict it, for their participation was forced and insincere. If voter turnout is in decline as it is stated in text four, then what difference do careless votes make just to simply avoid penalty? It all comes down to the politicians themselves. "It is much more likely politicians will fight for the welfare of the poor and uneducated if they have to go out and seek their vote" (text 4, lines 24-25). If a person wants to vote for a politician that represents their opinion, then they certainly have the option to and can legally do so. But if no one has an opinion on the matter what good is their vote? "Voting should be carried out by those who care, but had those who wants to vote" (text 4, line 46). Granted, there are some upsides to mandatory voting. In text one, an argument is made that lists out the reasons to introduce compulsory voting, and one of these reasons is that it would voice the opinion of all citizens so that the country as a whole can decide on elections or issues. However, "it should never be used to avoid tackling The route of political disengagement" (text 3, line 37). The current system of voting is fully functional and it provides a basis for true democracy by giving people the right to or not to