Should voters be given a "basic knowledge" test of some kind?

Question

I used to encourage people to vote. Now that I realize how many people vote based on the garbage spewed out by the media, I'd rather have only well-informed people voting (especially for President). Basing your decision on the hand-picked sound and video bytes we're exposed to w/o any independent research or knowledge isn't a smart way to choose national leaders. What sort of tests would you suggest?

Answer 1

It is a good question. Many times I was thinking about it. In future, we may have to come out with some basic knowledge test for people to vote. It will not be unconstitutional. You now why? Constitution is written by human from time to time they amend it, when they feel it is a must. So we could even change the constitution for the betterment of the citizen living in a country. By doing it we encourage people to improve their knowledge. Improved voter's knowledge results in improved government.

Answer 2

Thank You!! Most of the decisions people make now a days are based on what they hear on tv! Especially now that actors and actresses are putting their two cents in. Television viewers just go out and vote based on what their favorite actor/ress says.

If a famous person went on the air and said all women should shave their heads to show support for cat marraiges...I bet at least 20% would do it!

Maybe we should first make voters pass a basic history test, then an IQ test!

Answer 3

No. Although I agree with you in principle, voting is a right. I agree that many people base their decisions on the most bone-headed principles.

Personally, I would like to see the right to vote based on some degree of land ownership. Then at least the voters would be more likely to have a vested interest in the outcome of an election.

Answer 4

The idea itself is good, but the only problem would be that some political parties might use that to their advantage should they have someone on the inside of that system and they could potentially deem a whole lot of people unfit who actually passed. To ensure that they will always win.

Plus everyone is constitutionally guaranteed their right to vote, regardless.

Answer 5

I wish.

A huge percentage of voters are ignorant, and this percentage will continue to rise with the degrading education system and the high birthrate of uneducated people.

Besides an IQ test, voters should be restricted to people who pay a minimum of $1000 income currently or in the past.

Better yet, votes should be allocated according to how much income tax you pay--the more you pay, the more votes you get.

As things stand, the USA will continue to sink toward 3rd world status as the ignorant masses continue to vote.

Answer 6

I'm not going to suggest any kind of test, because any kind of knowledge test is going to be seen, correctly, as illegal. Pay attention to federal law -- especially the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which specifically prohibits literacy tests. In order to create your law, you are going to have to get that federal law repealled first, and, naturally, you are going to meet up with very stiff resistance by people who are going to say that you're just turning back the clock on the subject of the civil rights of racial minorities. It's a shame because it is obviously not YOUR goal to disenfranchise minorities. But you'll be accused of that, nonetheless.

Answer 7

our law has already legally determined that the rights of a few can be abridged if their I.Q. level is not high enough, so I am in favor of limiting voting to an I.Q. level of say 120, and if the ACLU has a problem with it, we amend the Constitution.

This is the only logical solution at hand.

Answer 8

I bow down before you all knowing one!!

Beats the hell out of me. First I think that a liberal unbiast group (ha like that will happen) should educate, like drivers ed. (gov paid, hahaha don't make me laugh) then when passed, you get to regester to vote.

Hows about this answer........ don't you think they want it this way and there's nothing we can do but sit back and watch them take over?
propiganda is a huge factor in public opinion. Thats what it was designed for.

seriously...

people don't seem to like this answer.....so

let me ask you this. What the did bush do in florida to win the election....... see my friends, it doesn't even matter if we vote.

I wish Arnold could run for president.

Answer 9

If the media has it's way,socialism,open borders,no military,more money for welfare and illegals,and the UN flag on the White House flagpole!!! What a wonderful future

Answer 10

no...i think we need to break up large conglomerate in the media outlet companies...one company should not be able to, make movies, own cable shows and companies, network TV, radio station, distribute movies, own newspapers, etc...we should break all those companies up...then they would have to focus on sound news instead of an ideology they want to present...the media now is just proselytizing America...