Why Do Older Citizens Participate In Voting?
Studies indicate that participation in electoral politics has in the recent decades declined across the American states as the citizens have become increasingly disillusioned with conventional forms of politics. Normally, participation acts as a cornerstone of citizenship in liberal democracies. However, a majority of the American democracy today is characterized by low or falling voter turnout as well as the dramatic decline and aging of political party memberships. Such trends are most striking particularly amongst the young people who have become alienated from mainstream electoral politics (Richard Fry (Pew Research Center, pg. 60-75). The likelihood of the older citizens to participate in voting process has been high relative
…show more content…
It also holds that they were also highly likely to vote when they were young, with life-cycle tendencies only raising their turnout marginally (Pew Research Center, pg. 86). However, considering the factor that older people are less mobile and the requirement of voter re-registration, this theory does not hold. Over the past decades, research has further discredited it since it has found that the electorate largely comprise of the older citizens. They thus do not face such laws requiring them to re-register. A recent study by a trio of Harvard and Yale researchers revealed that young people move to new residences in far greater numbers than older people and are thus much less likely to be registered to vote. Social norms is another factor affecting the electorate. Typically, the senior citizens are more likely to be longtime residents of their communities. They thus may be influenced by friends of the same age who are also voting. Normally, with the older citizens, there is a norm to vote. They usually think of themselves as voters, and they care about being a …show more content…
For instance, the introduction of early voting, which was intended to make voting easier as well as increase turnout, appears to have actually decreased turnout. The younger citizens who are mostly the working generation are mostly affected by this law. These laws favor the older citizens who are mostly retirees, and thus, they tend to turn out more for the voting process.
Over the years, critics have contended that voter identification laws typically serve as an effective barrier that limits the legitimate participation of racial as well as ethnic minorities and other disadvantaged groups. According to research, voter identification laws are increasing across the United States. As late as 2008, no state required identification to vote. However, that year, strict voter identification laws requiring citizens to produce identification before casting a regular ballot were implemented in Georgia as well as Indiana (Daniel Shea, pg.
It also holds that they were also highly likely to vote when they were young, with life-cycle tendencies only raising their turnout marginally (Pew Research Center, pg. 86). However, considering the factor that older people are less mobile and the requirement of voter re-registration, this theory does not hold. Over the past decades, research has further discredited it since it has found that the electorate largely comprise of the older citizens. They thus do not face such laws requiring them to re-register. A recent study by a trio of Harvard and Yale researchers revealed that young people move to new residences in far greater numbers than older people and are thus much less likely to be registered to vote. Social norms is another factor affecting the electorate. Typically, the senior citizens are more likely to be longtime residents of their communities. They thus may be influenced by friends of the same age who are also voting. Normally, with the older citizens, there is a norm to vote. They usually think of themselves as voters, and they care about being a …show more content…
For instance, the introduction of early voting, which was intended to make voting easier as well as increase turnout, appears to have actually decreased turnout. The younger citizens who are mostly the working generation are mostly affected by this law. These laws favor the older citizens who are mostly retirees, and thus, they tend to turn out more for the voting process.
Over the years, critics have contended that voter identification laws typically serve as an effective barrier that limits the legitimate participation of racial as well as ethnic minorities and other disadvantaged groups. According to research, voter identification laws are increasing across the United States. As late as 2008, no state required identification to vote. However, that year, strict voter identification laws requiring citizens to produce identification before casting a regular ballot were implemented in Georgia as well as Indiana (Daniel Shea, pg.