Registered voters in the USA between the age of 18 and 29 are recognised as the nation’s ‘Young Voters’ and this election partaking section of America’s youth originated in the 1930s. Today young voters are a crucial part of the electoral system (and a focal topic too) since the 2008 presidential election saw their numbers triple and even quadruple in certain states.
Politics in the past has never paid as much attention to registered voters under the age of 30, tabooing the generation as callous and uninterested. Last year has obviously washed that thought down the drain but the fact remains that a large fraction of the youth is not as informed as it could be, when it comes to casting a vote and helping to make a difference. The ‘strategy’ to voting, as a young American is simply investing some time in self-enlightenment on the matter.
First and foremost, get comfortable with the Electoral College system. Many young voters feel dissuaded into interacting with a voting system they feel is ‘too complex’ for them while others entertain misguided ideas of the system and are lured into apathy by being made to believe that their vote simply doesn’t count.
The Electoral College is a form of indirect voting where citizens vote for their electors and each elector, under the Twelfth Amendment is allowed to cast one vote each for president and vice-president. The statistical map above shows how many electors each of the American states has. What voters need to know about this system is that electors pledge to vote for a specific candidate, even though they are free to choose anyone eligible. What a voter does is cast ballots for an elector who has pledged themselves to the two candidates favoured by the voter. The three-branched government of the USA is used to maintain balance of power; similarly, the Electoral College ensures that the Presidential election isn’t a pageant where his popularity would undermine the power of the other two branches. The popular vote comes into play when people vote for a party representative. (eg: The vote for Democrat representative between Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama.)
The next step, as a voter is using the media to your own advantage is finding out what is really going on. Take a look as both sides and entertain different perspectives if you don’t want to be a victim of propaganda. If sifting through newspapers isn’t your thing, use Youtube as a source of information. Certain debates between candidates can be entertaining as well as educational. Social websites such as Facebook and Myspace help users keep on top of the polls.
Finally comes the fine-tuning of knowledge before a ballot is cast. Only registered voters are mailed ballot cards before any sort of election. Municipal election offices provide cards on request to those which have not received their voter cards.
If you don’t know what to do with your ballot card, visit your local polling place (or use the internet) to find a sample ballot and familiarize yourself with it. If you have a punch-card ballot which is spoiled, insist on getting a replacement. Depending on the state you may be required to produce identification and/or vote at the proper polling place. Failure to follow procedure might result in your right to vote being challenged so use the right resources in advance to find out what the rules are in your state. The USA’s government website is a goldmine of such information.
If you are still doing your studies best is to learn exam strategies to pass the exams with flying colors. If you are young and dynamic individual you should learn Investment Strategies as well inorder to create a successful future.
Politics in the past has never paid as much attention to registered voters under the age of 30, tabooing the generation as callous and uninterested. Last year has obviously washed that thought down the drain but the fact remains that a large fraction of the youth is not as informed as it could be, when it comes to casting a vote and helping to make a difference. The ‘strategy’ to voting, as a young American is simply investing some time in self-enlightenment on the matter.
The Electoral College is a form of indirect voting where citizens vote for their electors and each elector, under the Twelfth Amendment is allowed to cast one vote each for president and vice-president. The statistical map above shows how many electors each of the American states has. What voters need to know about this system is that electors pledge to vote for a specific candidate, even though they are free to choose anyone eligible. What a voter does is cast ballots for an elector who has pledged themselves to the two candidates favoured by the voter. The three-branched government of the USA is used to maintain balance of power; similarly, the Electoral College ensures that the Presidential election isn’t a pageant where his popularity would undermine the power of the other two branches. The popular vote comes into play when people vote for a party representative. (eg: The vote for Democrat representative between Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama.)
Finally comes the fine-tuning of knowledge before a ballot is cast. Only registered voters are mailed ballot cards before any sort of election. Municipal election offices provide cards on request to those which have not received their voter cards.
If you don’t know what to do with your ballot card, visit your local polling place (or use the internet) to find a sample ballot and familiarize yourself with it. If you have a punch-card ballot which is spoiled, insist on getting a replacement. Depending on the state you may be required to produce identification and/or vote at the proper polling place. Failure to follow procedure might result in your right to vote being challenged so use the right resources in advance to find out what the rules are in your state. The USA’s government website is a goldmine of such information.
If you are still doing your studies best is to learn exam strategies to pass the exams with flying colors. If you are young and dynamic individual you should learn Investment Strategies as well inorder to create a successful future.