United Sates Government Hon

1. What are the requirements for someone to vote in your country? What is one requirement that you would like to see removed or added? Explain your rationale or reasoning with examples to support your idea.

• In my country, in France, if you want to vote, there are four requirements. Indeed, you have to be at least 18 years old, be a French citizen (this means you have to live in France and have the French nationality), you have to be registered on the voting list after asking for it and finally, you have to be in right to vote, meaning having civil and political rights. One requirement I would like to remove would be having the French nationality. In fact, I think that this “rule” is indeed important but I think it’s a shame too because for example, those who came in France being little and who have their entire life in France can’t vote but they still have to live with the consequences of the others’ votes.

1. Should a country place any requirements on voting? Why or why not? Do voting requirements marginalize or restrict any group of people from voting?

• In my opinion, it is important to place some requirements on voting. Indeed, we can’t have anybody voting for what will happen in our country. Therefore, putting “restrictions” allows a number of people to vote. Unfortunately, this system does restrict a group of people since note everyone can vote because of certain factors. In my country, the nationality is one of them.

1. In your opinion, is voting a right or a responsibility? Explain your rationale or reasoning with examples to support your idea.

• I believe that voting is both; a responsibility and a right. Indeed, I think that having the power to vote is first of all a right that each citizen earned, but once we have gained it and that we agreed to do it, it becomes a responsibility. For example, women fought a long time to gain the right of voting, meaning that once they had it, it became their responsibility to honor this right and to express their thoughts by voting for the person they believed in to lead their country.

1. Studies show that young people, ages 18-24, are among those least likely to vote. Why is that true, in your opinion? What is one idea that you have for increasing voter turnout among young voters? Explain your idea and how it will encourage voting among 18-24 years-old. 

• I guess that those between 18 and 24 years don’t vote because they don’t really see the importance of voting at their age. They just want to live free and they don’t take the time to listen to the news, to read about what happens in the world, etc. One idea that could encourage the 18-24 years old to vote could be talking about politics at school. Indeed, at school, politics aren’t really at the top of the subjects we talk about, therefore, the students don’t pay attention on the needs of voting, since they don’t know anything about it. It will encourage them to vote if they are helped in the procedures to make, how to reflect on the politician’s programs, etc.

Sources:

“Elections: Voting Rights of European Citizens in France.” Www.service-Public.fr, www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1937?lang=en.

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