Ways to Increase Voter Turnout

Electing a president for is one of the most important decisions the American people can possible make. The future of the country is at stake. Policies will be voted on. Laws will be put forth and voted on in the House and Senate. Future foreign policy will be developed and implemented over the next four years that will effect the American people for many, many years to come. In short the very future of America and its people is at stake. With all this at stake, why would we not consider observing a holiday on election day? This would enable all American’s to go to the polls to vote.

There are crucial factors that should be considered is the voter turnout. Voter turnout is a measurement of the percentage of actual voters within the entire voter pool. The mood of the voter can be determined by the voter turnout. For instance a low voter turnout may indicate a disenchantment or apathy with both political parties. It can also indicate a disenchantment of the Senate and Congress and how they have voted regarding specific issues. Voter turnout has been decreasing nearly every election since the 1960’s. This year is an acception. The Democratic primaries produce record turnouts.

This could be a direct correlation to the mediocre Presidents and presidential candidates that have been put forth since the 1960’s. American’s truly have not had anyone to be excited about since the candidacy and eventual winning of the White House of John F. Kennedy in 1960. In 2004, election turnout was up to 64% of the voting age US citizens. This is a very low turnout meaning 36% of voting age US citizens did not vote. No one can argue that making election day a holiday will in fact increase voter turnout, but perhaps it can help.

General opinion is that race,gender and ethnicity have very little influence in the factors that draw voters to the polls. In 2008 the factors in voter turnout has been turned on its head, by George Bush, whom many people harbor many different opinions of. Bush has caused a tremendous awakening of voters who have flocked to the polls in in record numbers during the Primary season.

Factors that have influence voter turnout is change. Particularly in the 2008 Presidential Election. In the Democratic primaries . The voters were passionate about who they supported and age factored into this equation. Voters under 50 years old supported Barack Obama. Voters over 50 years old and older supported Hillary Clinton. The voter turnout was huge. Voters are motivated by one big issue this year; that would be change.

On the Republican side Evangelical Protestant voters split evenly between Huckabee, Romney and McClain. Again the voter turnout is strong. But how much more stronger could it be with everyone free to vote whenever they wanted to doing an election day Holiday?

In many countries across the globe voting is compulsory and the voter turnout is consistently 80% to 95%, with Australia having the highest voter percentage. Why Australia? Because they have compulsory voting. Of course we cannot have compulsory voting in America, but we can do all we can to encourage more voter turnout by having a election day holiday.

Our holidays are really important occasions, Columbus Day, Veterans Day Christmas,Easter, Thanksgiving, New Years, Martin Luther King, President’s Day, Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, why not add another, Election Day!