Changes that can be made to increase voter’s turnout
Introduction
The 2018 election in Texas recorded low voters turnout that is attributed to many factors. It is vital to increase the number of eligible voters to the national voting due to different reason. The mechanism that can aid voting and make voting more convenient is essential and necessary. This paper will, therefore, look at some of the mechanism that can be employed to increase voter’s participation.
Same-day voter registration
Undertaking election registration on a single day increases voter’s participation, which in turn increases turn out (Gallego, 239). Many states that have implemented the SDR have a higher rate of voter’s participation even at the national level. According to the Pew Research Center survey, States that have not implemented the use of SDR could have higher voter’s participation hence significant in increasing the number of voter’s participation.
Pre voter’s registration
States that have employed pre-voters registration have recorded high voter’s participation. For instance, Florida, that has employed this technique recorded high voter’s participation up to 4.7 per cent.
Investing in voters outreach and engagement
The process of integrating, engaging them and advocacy is vital in voter’s mobilization thus bring positive change in the community. For instance, 2012 to 2016 recorded a positive voter’s participation amongst the Muslim Americans voters due to increased involvement by the community. Participation in grassroots voting and outreach is some of the most successful mechanism of increasing voter’s participation (Gerber, Donald and Christopher, 410). Studies have shown that additional 14 voters are recorded when contacted by canvassers a strategy that can be used to reach more potential voters hence increasing voter’s participation.
Online voter’s registration
A study that was conducted in Georgia’s online voters indicted approximately 71 per cent of people who registered online participated in the election as compared to 52 per cent of those who registered via email or through the state agency. It is, therefore, necessary for Texas to implement online registration to increase voter participation. Georgia has recorded higher voters turn over due to the online registration.
Bringing back the right of those who are incarcerated
Close to 25000 people who were incarcerated in Virginia partook the 2018 general elections after the former Gov. Terry McAuliffe reinstated their voting right. From the Virginia experience, it can be deduced that all incarcerated could participation can increase the number of people and the urge to participate in election (Spring, 21). Texas can buy this idea if they want to record high voters turn over moving forward. The strategy is vital in many divergent ways if numbers are needed for election purposes.
Early voting
Studies have proven that early voting can increase the level of voters turn over by 4 percent. On the other hand, eliminating early voting has also proven to reduce turnout in some communities. If Texas had, the early voting in 2018 elections, there could have been an increase in the number of voters in the state.
Increasing civic education in schools
Study of civic education amongst kids in the United States, especially in Kansas, recorded an additional 2.1 percent increase in 18 years old plus their parents. Kansas counties that tried to incorporate kids voting in there curricula recorded an additional number of people who participated in their elections (Gallego, 239). Texas, therefore, can use this mechanism if they want to record an additional number of voters. Civic education is a good mechanism that can be used by Texas since it helps in enlightening people on their voting rights and the advantages of participating in elections.
Employing vote-at –home and voters centres
This strategy was very fundamental in Colorado. The vote at home and voter’s centres increased the level of voter’s participation by close to 2-5 percent. The strategy also increased the level of participation amongst young people by close to 9 percent. This method can be used by Texas to increase the level of voter participation.
Political subculture in Texas that would favour lower voter participation
According to the United States Bureau, the population of Texas was estimated to have a higher percentage of white at 73.5 per cent. The numbers here are vital; therefore, it can be used as a yardstick in predicting the political subculture that can attract the lowest voter turnout. With respect to race, there are two dormant political parties in Texas. The two parties in greater perspective dictate voter turn over (Fumagalli, Eileen, and Gaia, 162). Democrat is a party that is much associated with white therefore is the best for Texas since it responds with the population. On the other hand, Republican is a party that is much associated with blacks; therefore, would attract the lowest voters to turn out. Texas is thus a state that can attract high votes for Democrat but not Republican. The political affiliation that can attract the lowest voter’s turnout is Republican because the majority of people living in Texas are Whites. This, however, translates to the possible low voter turnout in Texas. Blacks are mostly associated with the Republican Party. Republican is the political subculture that can attract the smallest voter participation in Texas.
Works cited
. Gerber, Alan S., Donald P. Green, and Christopher W. Larimer. “An experiment testing the relative effectiveness of encouraging voter participation by inducing feelings of pride or shame.” Political Behavior 32.3 (2010): 409-422.
Fumagalli, Eileen, and Gaia Narciso. “Political institutions, voter turnout, and policy outcomes.” European Journal of Political Economy 28.2 (2012): 162-173.
Gallego, Aina. “Understanding unequal turnout: Education and voting from a comparative perspective.” Electoral Studies 29.2 (2010): 239-248.
Gallego, Aina. “Understanding unequal turnout: Education and voting from a comparative perspective.” Electoral Studies 29.2 (2010): 239-248.
Spring, Joel. American education. Routledge, 2017.