why are elections important? and how can a citizen become and informed voter?
969464
elections are important b/c without elections, there's no democracy. and to see what life is like without democracy, move to China and try to have more than two kids, then try to criticize the government. \n\nwhenever you find out there's an election going on in your area, find out what issues you care about and research the hell out of them. then find out what the candidates stand for on all the issues, zeroing in on your important ones. if you don't like either of the candidates, write one in who you would vote for. it takes work to be an informed voter. otherwise you'll be just like everyone else and not give a shit what's going on.
496590
Because the 'people' didn't know any better. Why in the world do you keep believing the lies that some jackass politician (any politician) tells you? \nVoting doesn't make any difference; so stop voting! \n\nBeware of stupid people in large numbers!!\n\nI never said I didn't vote. And not voting doesn't make you any less of an American!! But does voting really change anything? NO!  The more something changes the more it stays the same.  Has anything really changed? Are we better off each time we vote in someone different? No. We're still in the same hole we were before.\nGeorge Carlin puts it simply (Not a direct quote): if I don't vote and get a crappy president (Republican or Democrat), I should have every right to complain..I didn't vote the idiot in.  You on the other hand, the ones that voted, have no right to complain...you believed them.
229090
Very interesting question, Crappy (sorry for the shorthand). But to tell you the truth, it is already extremely easy for people to vote. If you can't find the time to vote for the people running your town, state, country - I really question your thought process. This is the greatest freedom given to the people of our country. It simply must be exercised. Especially in today's world of no excuse absentee ballots. I have not missed an election on any level since I have turned 18. This includes when I was away at college or working out of town on business. \n\nIn fact, I would go one step further (and will probably get bashed for this thought), but I believe that people should be made to take and pass a test on the candidates and their positoins on several key issues before they are allowed to vote. A bipartison comittee could mail out the answers to the test to the voters and make them available anywhere including the internet, but the important thing would be for people to know where the person they are voting for stands for on the major issues. They can take and retake the test as many times as they want, but I think if people were made to understand the candidates positions on key issues - we would have far more effective people elected and a far more informed populace...
675712
So, you want every law to be voted about in the public? I doubt people would care enough to vote several times a day. Also, there's one problem with democracy: the average joe is an idiot, but also numerous, voting with all his lack of insight for a law or president he doesn't understand the full meaning of.
940292
This is just as important to vote Tuesday as in the presidential elections.  We need to have people who are capable of watching our backs at the government level.  I want them to show up for work and be able to make a honest- not political- decision on how things should be for the good of all not just a few.
701475
Voting is important. It shows how stupid people keep electing greedy non-caring politicians in their districts so that they can have something to complain about.
495422
Maybe you are happy with the way things are run, so you see no reason to vote.  But maybe you don't know yet how the government affects you.  Once you do, you may want to vote, or maybe you will think that your vote is powerless to change the system.  It is good that you are at least asking the question.
785690
You make an excellent point first of all. There are indeed many people who vote with minimal knowledge of the issues and of what's at stake. I can attest to being one of those people myself, but the fact of the matter is, I know the basics of whom I will vote for and whom I will not (I live in Michigan), and to propose a test to qualify to vote is essentially stripping people of their right to vote all over again. I blame the Government Officials (I do not use the term 'Politician') because they make it into a popularity contest. I also blame the media because they egg it on, but I digress.
743332
I agree with your view points, to an extent. But then what is democracy. Isn't it people's voice. If those elected do not just bother to hear you after the elections, what would you do. Well, you may say teach them a lesson in the next elections. That happens only if you are allowed to vote. Have you not seen what happened in the Chennai Corporation elections. A majority of the general public were are not allowed to vote. It was all booth capturing by Goondas of the ruling party. \n\nI want to do good things myself to keep my street clean and there are many like me in the whole of India. But, if the politicians threaten me not to do it, do you have the guts to go and given them the same kind of adivce?  They are not bothered about you and me since they have their own vote bank. Even if the general public do not vote in an election, the winner is decided by each party's staunch supporters. In such a scenario, your preachings won't work unless there's a complete overhaul of the whole electoral system.
915275
you have a certain amount of time to register before each election......you'll need to bring valid driver license or other ID...  maybe your social security card and maybe proof of residency water bill, electric bill  etc....depends on what state you live in
152891
Yes.  In fact, voting in any state, federal, or local election does greatly benefit the country, even regardless of who you vote for.  High voter turnout is crucial to a functional democracy.  That's why I've voted in every election since I turned 18.  All one of them.
885712
There are several resons voter turnout is typically not very high. \n\nSometimes people are sick. Sometimes they are in the hospital or out of the country and do not want to go through the hassle of working on getting an absentee ballot. Sometimes people have only recently moved, and are not registered in the district in which they currently live. \n\nAnother reason voter turnout often is around only 45 percent is that people are often busy and uninformed. Most who do not vote are not opponents of the democratic system, but people who are busy with other things. I have no children or pets, and I still have missed voting on several occasions. \n\nAlso, many people do not know where their voting place is. Sometimes they receive a post card in the mail telling them where it is, but this is often viewed as "junk mail" and tossed out with the other ads from Sears, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Macy's. \n\nAlso, of course, many people are (understandably) cynical. In one of the political races near where I live there is apparently the choice between "throwing your vote away" (by voting for a third party candidate), voting for a corrupt politician, or voting for the guy who holds none of my political views. Not good, any way you slice it. Thus, it is no wonder that so few people bother to vote sometimes. \n\nBy the way, I will vote for every "D" I see on the ballot tomorrow, even if he or she is undergoing ethics investigation. After putting up with the current embarrassment of a president for six years, I am a super citizen in just being willing to vote at all!!!!!!
791747
Because they have a choice on what is important to them.  This starts a life long trend of voting.  Let's them know that they can make a difference and contribute to society.  Gives them more power on issues that are important to them.
218009
its your duty as a citizen of the United States. The government we have is made under a social contract, and under that, the people make the government, therefore they have the right to change/and or abolish it. You need to vote, and if you don't, don't complain when something you dont agree with happens beacause you did nothing to change it.\n**Voting goes to more than just the president!
192194
Most important: they should not be corrupted.\n\nThat is the reason I rarely vote !
299326
I vote, but I live in the U.S.  In my opinion voting is definitely important.  I also think that people that don't vote should not run their mouths about who is currently in office because had they taken the time to go vote they may have been able to sway the outcome of the election.
692385
Inform yourself, get involved at the precinct level, probably best with a party, work hard, get elected, and always remember why you did this.  \n\nListen to your constituents, but vote your conscience after evaluating all you've researched and heard. \n\nGet elected again, this time to higher office as many times as it takes to achieve your purpose.  Then leave office, like Cincinnatus.