Introduction
In democratic systems, citizens elect representatives who eventually form the government, thereby influencing a wide range of social, political, and economic processes. Voting remains an important practice that allows more individuals to make appropriate choices when selecting their leaders. This process has gained recognition in most of the developed and developing states since it ensures that most of the elected members play a significant role towards improving people’s experiences and outcomes. Voting remains a fundamental right in the United States that helps more Americans to support the country’s democracy, improve economic and social gains through effective leadership, and promote civil liberties.
The Importance of Voting
The current situation in the United States reveals that majority of the people from different political classes and parties take the issue of voting seriously. For instance, 7 out of 10 Democratic Party members in the U.S. believed that voting was an important process for individuals who wanted to become responsible community members (Schmid et al. 698). By taking part in this democratic process, most of the citizens are usually involved in political decision-making and ensure that those in power are capable of addressing identified challenges. Such individuals can go further to vote on a wide range of issues that affect their respective communities, such as environmental protection, gun control, and abortion (Warshaw 468).
The emerging attributes or ideas from the voting process help policymakers to make timely laws that can improve people’s experiences and outcomes. Most of the citizens, including those above the age of 65, believe that the engagement in voting processes remains critical towards supporting the country’s economic agenda.
Voting is an important exercise since citizens have a right to do so and communicate with the other members of the public. In the U.S., some people who fail to engage in this democratic process indicate that the whole idea is irrelevant. Some might argue that their choices on the ballot would have little or no impact on their lives. By casting their ballots, the involved members of the society will ensure that the right people are in power and capable of holding them accountable. These politicians will be involved in decision-making processes and ensure that sustainable programs and projects are implemented (Schmid et al. 701).
In emerging economies, individuals who vote for competent leaders will benefit from proper policies, political processes, and infrastructure systems. Failure to engage in voting means that incompetent people might eventually occupy powerful positions. This possible outcome means that the individuals might ignore the plight of most of the citizens.
Voting remains an evidence-based approach that helps reshape countries’ economies and social aspects. In the U.S., majority of the citizens continue to grapple with a wide range of concerns, such as religion, capital punishment, gay marriages, and reproductive rights. Through voting processes, members of the society can be involved to make timely choices and ensure that proper laws capable of addressing the recorded issues are in place. Similarly, the process of voting makes it possible for citizens to support economic ideologies and structure that resonate with their needs (“5 Reasons”). For example, the initiative can dictate the social security resources, student loans, education, and medical policies. When the right people are elected to occupy political offices, chances are high that they will propose the necessary law and budgetary allocations depending on the needs of the targeted members of the society.
The present and future political aspects of any country depend on the citizens’ willingness to engage in voting as an effective approach for decision-making. When leaders are elected, they can focus on guidelines and constitutional amendments capable of determining lifetime appointments and the nature of services such individuals need to provide. When people fail to be part of this critical process, inappropriate presidents might occupy office and make specific appointments that might affect most of the people negatively (“5 Reasons”).
For example, past political deliberations dictate the maximum number of years American presidents can serve. With the current figure being eight, the presence of an incompetent leader in such a position means that the lives of more people could be affected negatively for the same period. This reality needs to encourage more people in the U.S. to take the issue of voting seriously and consider how they could be involved throughout the process.
In these changing times, the question of human rights is becoming critical than ever before. In the history of America, analysts acknowledge that past generations belonging to minority groups fought tirelessly in order to be allowed to engage in political decision-making processes. The idea of universal suffrage resonates with this exercise and it encourages more people to support ideas that are capable of taking their life experiences from one level to the other (Schmid et al. 703). Through the power of this basic human right, people find it easier to participate in most of the operations and activities of the government. More citizens become empowered to associate depending on the nature of their political parties. Additionally, people who promote this practice will go further to engage in advocacy and ensure that the government of the day promotes acceptable actions and policies that can help promote people’s liberties.
Through the power of the vote, citizens get a unique opportunity to protect their interests while taking the idea of democracy to the next level. Schmid et al. indicate that the wider political process encourages more politicians to engage the electorate and formulate manifestos that are capable of transforming their expectations (706). When more people vote, chances are high that the existing form of democracy will be protected against any possible threat and eventually grow. Since every vote will count, closely contested elections could be decided more effectively and eventually improve the overall level of political representation (Warshaw 469). Failure to engage in the practice means that the nature of representation will decline and eventually make impossible for the specific country to realize its social and economic goals.
However, some skeptics believe that voting is unnecessary and fails to make a difference in the country and across the world. Those who support this notion identify various states whereby elected members tend to ignore the plight of the electorate and chose to pursue their selfish interests. Some individuals would argue that a single vote is less significant and incapable of making any different in the management and leadership of a country (County of Knox). This kind of assertion could explain why most of the people in the U.S. and elsewhere fail to take the process seriously. Consequently, the country eventually gets some leaders who might be less concerned about the social, economic, and political issues affecting the country. It becomes necessary for political leaders to reconsider these issues and implement superior strategies to address the situation.
Key gaps could explain why the ongoing debate regarding whether voting is important or not in the American setting. For instance, Schmid et al. blame those in power for failing to promote timely campaigns and educational programs to equip more people with the much-needed knowledge (701). The absence of adequate information discourages more people from voting since they do not have a proper understanding of the benefits of the process.
Additionally, limited network and collaboration among key stakeholders to maximize political participation could explain why voter apathy is sometimes a challenge in the American society (“5 Reasons”). A wide range of personal factors could be studied from diverse perspectives in an effort to launch additional programs to motivate and guide majority of the people to take voting seriously. Additional studies could be appropriate to help shed more light about the challenges or factors discouraging American citizens from participating in various electoral processes.
Conclusion
The above discussion has identified voting as a common practice associated with all democratic societies across the globe. Individuals who engage in the process elect competent people who are capable of protecting their economic, political, and social interests. The approach increases chances of protecting democracy while at the same time improving people’s rights. Personal factors, lack of information, and lack of coordination are some of the key reasons why some citizens fail to participate in voting. A renewed approach is, therefore, recommendable to sensitize more people about the importance of voting and take the U.S. closer to its social and economic objectives.
Works Cited
“5 Reasons Why You Should Vote!” AltaMed. Web.
County of Knox. “Why Should I Vote?” Illinois County. Web.
Schmid, Samuel D., et al. “Non-Universal Suffrage: Measuring Electoral Inclusion in Contemporary Democracies.” European Political Science, vol. 18, no. 3, 2019, pp. 695-713.
Warshaw, Christopher. “Local Elections and Representation in the United States.” Annual Review of Political Science, vol. 22, no. 1, 2019, pp. 461-479.