Voting 6.04

Perhaps the greatest of our American privileges is our right to take part in the democratic process of electing our nation’s leaders. The voting process is the heart and soul of our democratic nation and without it we could not honestly consider ourselves a land of the free. To vote, one must be a registered voter. This requires that you are at least eighteen years of age and a citizen of the United States with a valid home address. Voting day requirements may vary slightly state to state; however, you usually need your voter’s registration card and a valid picture ID such as a driver’s license. Voters are usually given a voting location based on their place of residence; mine, for example, is at the community center of an old people’s community up the street. Upcoming elections in my area include: the Presidential Primaries on August 14^th, 2012, as well as the General Election on November 6^th, 2012.

Every U.S. citizen who is of age should participate in the voting process. It is the essence of our democratic system and exercising this right is one of the primary ways for folks to have a say in the moderation of their nation.

1.    How does the product you created encourage citizens to vote?

My product illustrates the privilege we possess in having the ability to elect our leaders. I hope that this product motivates its audience to take part in deciding who runs their nation locally and federally.

2.    What obstacles to voting exist in your community?

I live in Florida where many people have lost faith in the legitimacy of the voting system due to past miscounts in presidential elections. I know a lot of people who just do not vote anymore because they think their vote will either be misread or manipulated.

3.    Would you recommend any changes in the voter registration procedures you researched? If so, what would you recommend?

No, I think that voter registration has become more widely accessible with the internet; however, I would like to change the laws Republicans in my state have put into action that make it illegal for teachers to hand out voter registration forms to their students and help register their of-age students.

4.    Based on your research, what do you think should be done to increase voter registration in the United States?

I don’t think that you can really make somebody register to vote; they will either want to vote or not want to vote. The most you can do is educate them about the democratic process and hope that they will see how important it is for them to take part.