Max voted today.

[inevergetit_]

Has anyone ever considered the fact that maybe a lot of people don't vote because they don't want to take the time to sit down and figure out what the hell all the stuff on the balet is referring to? Cause I certainly came to that conclusion today...and I am pretty sure I knew this all along. You have to admit, it takes a strong degree of focus to

Comments

Re: "Ballot"

[itcamefromjapan]

The problem with something like a required class is that it has the potential to eliminate certain groups of voters right off the bat. Unless the class is free, for instance, people who can't afford such a thing will be unable to vote. That discriminates along class lines - and because, statistically, there are a number of people of color in the lower class, it can discriminate along racial lines, as well. I would worry that something like that would be veering a little too much into territory we've already covered as a country - we eliminated poll taxes and property-ownership requirements for a reason.

Also, frankly, it's inconvenient. That might sound petty, but there are already so many roadblocks up against voter registration. Every inconvenience we throw people's way just keeps fewer people from voting. A requirement like this would deter way more people than it would encourage - which is kind of your point, I realize, but I'm not sure I think it's for the best. Voting should be based on what the people want, not on what a certain cross-section of the people want. I would love it if every eligible voter was thoroughly educated on the issues and able to make those decisions accordingly, but I don't think that creating more strenuous voting requirements - and thereby eliminating the pool of potential voters - is really the way to make that happen.

That said, I don't have any perfect solution. Ideally, we'd want as much information about the candidates and the issues available as possible. The Internet is pretty great in this respect, but that still eliminates people who don't have Internet access in some form or another. It's never going to be a perfect system, so I think it's just important to educate yourself as much as possible, and encourage others to do the same.

Re: "Ballot"

[inevergetit_]

Then maybe they it should be offered in HIGH SCHOOL. Done and done.

Re: "Ballot"

[inevergetit_]

Drop outs- What about them? Shouldn't we be motivating people to stay in school? I think something like this could be broken down to stay fairly simple.

Immigrants and homeschoolers- Maybe it could be structured similarly to a trip to the DOL or Social Security Administration. A test could be administered to those not in high school to qualify for voter registration. And I think people SHOULD make the effort to learn what they are doing when they vote.

Both of these solutions together seem sound to me. Yeah it sucks to have to put the effort into, but maybe people would know what they were doing a little better.

Re: "Ballot"

[inevergetit_]

"someone somewhere will start abusing it to prevent some group of people from being able to vote". Your right, but someone will ALWAYS do that and that is what happened in the article you linked. Those votes were discounted regardless of the ideas I am proposing (and I remind you that I am merely brainstorming, not stating some full proof plan that should be issued into effect). Also, the test doesnt necessarily need to be a literacy test. It's SUPPOSED to test people on their grasping of political concepts, since THAT is what matters, not their understanding of the English language. Maybe it could be issued in different languages. Hell, I don't know. I get what you are saying Jared, there really is no need to hammer it to the point...as usual.