what can we do to get more citizens to vote?

Question

I'm being serious. What is a good solution? A lottery? Bribery? Threats? What citizen would not want to get their lazy butt out of the house and vote for which leader is going to lead their country? Any solutions? Maybe tell me why you personally don't vote?

Answer 1

By making politics personal to them.

Answer 2

Many people will not vote because they feel the politicians have become so corrupt that their vote does not matter. Many politicians accept money from lobbyists and are obligated to vote the way the lobbyist wants them to, regardless of whether it is something that is best for the American people.

I was one of those people until I read Barack Obama's "The Audacity of Hope". I have never voted before, but registered for the first time because I finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.

When I look at the blogs on BarackObama.com, I see I am not the only one-there are many of us and we are growing. People who have never voted before of all ages and walks of life. Even Republicans and Independents who have.

Obama has been compared to FDR and Kennedy by many of the older folks who support him.

We are tired of the way the current government is and see a way to change it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZUXhCW-OGM

Answer 3

Hissin' kitty got it. Politics used to be fun. I was active when I lived in Scotland. It was great knocking on doors engaging people in the political process. We even had a laugh with our opponents. Now it's all phone banks and mailers. Candidates tell us what they will do but aren't so hot on the listening so that they can moderate their views.

Most people are too busy to go to the candidates. Candidates have to find ways of going to the people and engaging them in discussion. That may be campaigning in malls, going door-to-door or blogging on the internet. Whatever it is, its aim should be to provoke a reasoned response from the electorate.

I don't vote at the moment. That's simply because I am waiting on my US citizenship. I always voted in the UK. On one occasion, after a painfully lacklustre campaign (and after I had moved to England and ceased to be involved in Scottish politics) I exercised my right to tell the candidates what I thought of them. I wrote "No Campaign+No Debate = no Vote." I then made enough X's on the ballot paper so that it would have to be adjudicated in front of their eyes. Hey, maybe it woke one person up. I can dream, can't I?

Answer 4

I totally support our right and obligation to vote. My problem is the lack of a good candidate to vote for. Our government has gotten so corrupt and deceitful that my conscious will not let me vote for either idiot that runs. Also when we vote, we do not vote directly for the candidate. We vote for the electoral college, who in turn casts their votes for the presidency. The problem with the corrupt electoral college is, they may say, you vote for me, I'll vote for this candidate, but after you vote for them, they can change their minds and vote for whomever they choose. They can be bribed or bought and will vote as the money tells them to vote. It's all a big joke. This country was founded on a democratic idea, and today, that is exactly what democracy is, an idea, a theory on paper. I am sure that our forefathers are spinning in their graves seeing how this country has fallen from grace! And it's beginning to look like there is going to be no good candidate for the upcoming election either. I did NOT vote last election because Bush is a war hungry, money hungry idiot. And Kerry is too wishy washy. He talks too much out of both sides of his mouth. Then there is his wife, tax evasion and so forth. No, I did not vote. I could not choose one evil over another one.

Answer 5

Maybe offer incentives for people as they leave the voting ballots. Or perhaps present some kind of display showing the effects of people not having a voice or say in political matters. Maybe bringing to light some of the problems of other countries, will give people a greater appreciation of the democratic freedom we have in the United States.

Answer 6

It seems to be a universal problem that middle and upper class discuss the politics & its consequences while sitting in their air-conditioned living rooms. They often regret that such and such leader is corrupt or should not have been there. But think, who is responsible - we the citizines of any country. IT SHOULD BE MADE MANDATORY TO CAST VOTE. People generally think that what difference does it make if one vote is not cast - that's not the right attitude. You have the right to vote, execise the same. THE DESIRED RESULT WILL COME - SOONER OR LATER.

Answer 7

Make it compulsory. In Australia it is compulsory to vote if you are over the age of 18. If you dont vote you face a small fine. I personally love voting and would be very put out if I couldnt, but I know people who hate it because they dont feel that any of the candidates are good enough so why bother?

Answer 8

I advise that a vote for both significant social gathering is a vote hostile for your superb self-hobbies. Vote for a candidate it really is not any longer owned with the help of the corporate oligarchy. That excludes all Democrats and Republicans. yet extra importantly, we received't VOTE our thanks to freedom and representation. We ought to take over the authorities, the technique of production, and the completed equipment. in the different case, we are able to stay slaves.

Answer 9

I did not vote EVER (and I'm 59) until Dennis Kucinich appeared in 2003 as a Presidential candidate. http://www.kucinich.us I will vote in the primary next year as well for him. I never saw my vote as meaning a thing because the decent people got slaughtered with smear campaigns. (See George McGovern) I hope you will listen to him: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16kVxnNHaDw

As far as getting people out to vote: GIVE THEM A CANDIDATE AND A REASON TO VOTE FOR THEM THAT WILL GET THEM AWAY FROM THE PROGRAMMING OF T.V.!

Until people realize--REALLY REALIZE--that politics is not "American Idol", a reality "show", or, like me, 'expect business-as-usual-no-matter-what", their asses will remain firmly planted in front of the horrible influence of television.

Answer 10

Vote is the only weapon remaining to a citizen to choose a leader and it must be exercised rather than blaming the politicians for their corruption and erroneous policies.