Voting Rights or Voting Wrongs?

Alayna P
Feb 25, 2024
11 min read

Making the Proper Adjustments

In a world full of distractions and biases, it can be challenging to make informed decisions, especially when it comes to voting rights. That's why mindfulness is an essential tool for navigating the complexities of the political landscape. Mindfulness involves being fully present, aware of our thoughts, emotions, and surroundings, without judgment or distraction. It can help us discern truth from misinformation, evaluate candidates and policies based on their merits, and resist the influence of bias or propaganda. While some argue that current voting laws and policies are sufficient, there are fundamental flaws in the system that preserve systemic inequalities and weaken the principles of democracy. To address these issues, voting laws and policies must be adjusted by allowing all individuals, including young people, to run for office; implementing measures to prevent voter fraud while also ensuring marginalized individuals can access the voting system, such as through mail-in ballots; and restoring voting rights to felons, despite counterarguments that this could lead to an increase in crime, as denying them this fundamental right is dehumanizing and perpetuates systemic injustices within our political system.

Ellen Langer, a social psychologist and mindfulness expert, emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in decision-making, particularly in the context of voting. By approaching the electoral process with mindful awareness and critical thinking, we can contribute to a more informed, engaged, and democratic society. Adele agrees with this sentiment, noting that voting is not just a matter of personal preference or convenience; it is a civic duty and a collective responsibility. Mindfulness also involves listening deeply and compassionately to others, engaging in respectful and constructive dialogue. This can help bridge differences and build trust among diverse communities, and foster a sense of common purpose and shared values. Incorporating mindfulness into the voting process can help individuals make decisions that are not only beneficial for themselves but for their communities and society as a whole. By being mindful of our emotions and thought processes, we can approach the voting process with a clear and open mind, ready to make informed decisions that reflect our values and beliefs. With a more mindful approach to voting, we can create a more positive and inclusive political system that represents the diverse needs and perspectives of all individuals.

When it comes to voting laws in the sense that if you can vote, you can run for whatever office. It is important to focus on age restriction. Age restriction is one of the largest and most well known issues in relation to voting. Along with many other requirements, you must be at least eighteen to vote. Unfortunately, this plays into the way older adults stereotype younger people. The country's ignorance shines through the political system and highlights its lack of trust in young adults by not letting them run for a national office until age thirty-five. Although the Heritage Foundation notes "Young people lack the experience and maturity to make informed decisions, and therefore setting an age limit ensures that only people who are capable of making sound decisions are allowed to vote." (The Heritage Foundation, 2021). This foundation believes young people lack the necessary experience and maturity to make informed decisions. While they may say that they are too inexperienced or immature to run for office, they still allow them to vote who will hold that office. So age restrictions in office hold back the potential of great young leaders, and those with influence. The American Civil Liberties Union emphasizes that "Age restrictions on voting are arbitrary and discriminatory, and many young people are well-informed and engaged in political issues, so their exclusion from voting denies them a voice in decisions that affect their future." (American Civil Liberties Union, 2020). Moreover, older people may also lack the necessary maturity to make informed decisions, so age restrictions are not a reliable indicator of an individual's ability to vote.

By adjusting the age limit to eighteen rather than thirty-five this could promote a higher percentage of the younger generation to vote because they have a candidate to represent their demographic. According to the United States Census Bureau, the 2020 presidential election had the highest voter turnout rate in more than a century. In terms of generational voter turnout rates, the Pew Research Center analyzed data from the 2020 election and found that the highest turnout rate was among Baby Boomers (born 1946 to 1964), with 72% of eligible voters casting a ballot. Generation X (born 1965 to 1980) had a turnout rate of 65%, while Millennials (born 1981 to 1996) and Generation Z (born after 1996) had turnout rates of 53% and 47%, respectively. Out of these generations it is proven that Generation Z has the lowest turnout even in a year where there was the highest voter turnout all around by nearly six percent. If they had a younger candidate to help them feel represented this could increase the likelihood Generation Z votes. According to a survey conducted by the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement in 2020, 44% of eligible Gen Z voters (ages 18-23) believed that their generation's concerns and issues were not being taken seriously by politicians. Nearly half of Generation Z feels misrepresented and like their views aren’t taken as seriously.

Colson Whitehead's novel "The Nickel Boys" tells the story of two boys who are sent to a reform school in Florida during the Jim Crow era. "The Nickel Boys" offers a powerful reminder of the systemic racism and injustice that has shaped American society throughout its history, and the ongoing struggle for civil rights and equality. While "The Nickel Boys" portrays the systemic nature of injustice, it also highlights the importance of individual action and the power of ordinary people to effect change. The boys are then released at age eighteen whether they have a place to go or not they are expected to live on their own. So if you are responsible enough in the height of Jim Crow to live on your own in turn you should be allowed to be a presidential candidate.

Another law with prominent issues is Voter ID laws. Voter ID laws are important to prevent increased issues relating to casting illegal ballots. This law requires voters to show identification and helps ensure that only eligible voters are voting. The National Conference of State Legislatures emphasizes that, "Voter ID laws are necessary to prevent voter fraud and maintain the integrity of elections. Requiring voters to show identification helps ensure that only eligible voters are casting ballots." (National Conference of State Legislatures, 2021). It is also noted that "Voter ID laws disproportionately impact marginalized communities, such as low-income and minority populations, who may face barriers in obtaining the necessary identification. These laws can effectively disenfranchise many eligible voters, which undermines the democratic process." (Brennan Center for Justice, 2021). Just because these individuals struggle to acquire the proper identification doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be allowed to exercise their right to vote. In addition to identification there should be an additional way that people without the proper identification. According to a report from the Brennan Center for Justice, about 11% of eligible voters, or roughly 25 million people, do not have government-issued photo IDs. There are 25 million people who are unable to vote for who they feel fit because of lacking identification, so there needs to be an alternative for these marginalized groups.

It is argued that voter identification shouldn’t be required at all, and the laws should be removed altogether. Zavella argues that voter ID laws have a negative impact on democracy and should be removed. It discusses the history and implementation of voter ID laws in the United States, and provides evidence that these laws disproportionately affect low-income and minority voters, making it more difficult for them to participate in the electoral process. The article also addresses some of the common arguments made by proponents of voter ID laws, and provides alternative solutions for addressing the issue of voter fraud. While it is correct that these marginalized communities are being affected, this doesn’t mean the law should be removed all together. It is still important to hold the integrity of the votes with identification. So this law needs to be adjusted to accommodate those low income communities.

Mail in voting is a positive alternative for the marginalized communities. Mail in voting is a convenient and accessible way for people to exercise their right to vote. It allows people who are unable to vote in person, such as those with disabilities or who live far from polling places, to participate in the democratic process. It is argued that mail-in voting is vulnerable to fraud and abuse, as ballots can be lost, stolen, or tampered with. The Heritage Foundation states "Mail-in voting is vulnerable to fraud and abuse, as ballots can be lost, stolen, or tampered with. Moreover, it can be difficult to ensure the integrity of the voting process when people are voting from their own homes, which undermines public trust in the election." (The Heritage Foundation, 2021). However there is no evidence to suggest that mail-in voting leads to significant voter fraud. Numerous studies and experts have concluded that voter fraud is extremely rare, including in cases of mail-in voting. A comprehensive study conducted by the Brennan Center for Justice found that voter fraud is exceedingly rare and that allegations of widespread fraud in mail-in voting are unfounded. The study found that between 2000 and 2014, there were only 31 credible cases of voter impersonation fraud out of more than 1 billion votes cast in U.S. elections. However those were caught and not counted. It proves how unlikely it is to happen. It's important to note that allegations of voter fraud are often used as a political tactic to suppress voter turnout or discredit the outcome of an election. However, there is no credible evidence to suggest that mail-in voting leads to significant voter fraud.

Saint Francis of Assisi is a beloved Christian saint who is known for his deep devotion to God, his love of nature, and his commitment to serving the poor and marginalized. His life and teachings offer valuable insights into the themes of humility, compassion, and social justice, which are relevant to the topic of voting rights. Saint Francis was known for his humility and his commitment to serving others, especially those in need. He saw himself as a servant of God and of all people, and he sought to embody the values of kindness, generosity, and selflessness. In the context of voting rights, this can be seen as a call to serve the common good and to prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable members of society. Saint Francis said, "Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy." (Saint Francis of Assisi). He explains how each low has a high, and without those low points there would be no appreciation for the high. There will be people who utilize the system negatively, that is fair to say, but the positive that comes from mail-in ballots and this type of voting outweighs the negative allowing for every person eligible to vote to pick who they want to represent them.

Felon disenfranchisement is another process that is used to keep felons from having the ability to vote. Felons should be given the right to vote, they are already physically isolated there is no need to take their rights from them. The American Civil Liberties Union states “Felon disenfranchisement perpetuates a cycle of punishment and exclusion that makes it harder for people to reintegrate into society after serving their sentences. Moreover, it disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, as Black Americans and other people of color are more likely to be convicted of crimes and serve longer sentences." (American Civil Liberties Union, 2020). Black Americans and other people of color are more likely to be convicted of crimes and serve longer sentences as proven by our unjust system that bleeds racism. It is dehumanizing to prisoners, no matter what they have done, to not give them the right to vote. The political system is built against those who have done wrong things in our society. It is fair to be isolated from society physically, but by not allowing them the right to vote, it reaches a point that is unnecessary. It is argued that felon disenfranchisement is important to preserve the integrity of voting. The Heritage Foundation emphasizes that "Felon disenfranchisement is necessary to preserve the integrity of the voting process. People who have committed serious crimes have demonstrated a disregard for the law and cannot be trusted to vote responsibly." (The Heritage Foundation, 2021). They explain that felon disenfranchisement prevents those who are convicted felons from voting. However, felon disenfranchisement disproportionately impacts marginalized communities and it is proven by that there are many people in American convicted of crimes taht did not commit. The Innocence Project is a non-profit organization that works to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals through DNA testing and other means. According to their data, DNA testing has played a role in 375 exonerations in the United States. Their studies also suggest that approximately 1 in every 25 felony convictions are wrongfully convicted. It's important to note that even one wrongful conviction is a grave miscarriage of justice, as it not only results in an innocent person being punished for a crime they did not commit, but also allows the true perpetrator to remain at large, potentially committing further crimes. Revoking this right to vote from them is dehumanizing and unnecessary.

In history Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail” is a powerful statement on civil rights and the struggle for racial justice. In the letter, King defends the use of nonviolent civil disobedience as a means of protesting unjust laws and practices. It is also an example of how important and how well fought they are. In "Letter from Birmingham Jail," King highlights the importance of voting as a fundamental civil right and a key tool in the struggle for racial justice. He notes the ways in which Black citizens have been systematically excluded from the voting process and highlights the need for voting rights to be protected and expanded. While these views are progressive, the same thing was viewed of Dr. King’s radical views. For changes to be made it starts with voting laws to be adjusted to accommodate for all of society. It allows for bets option for the majorities interest to be in office. The ACLU says "The right to vote is a fundamental civil right, and we must do everything we can to protect and expand access to the ballot box. This includes combating efforts to suppress the vote, promoting voter education and registration, and working to ensure that every citizen has an equal voice in our democracy." (2022) Not all the citizens are given the equal right to voice their vote so how is society going to be properly represented?

Voting rights remains a contentious issue, with people on both sides of the debate arguing for their positions. While some aspects of voting rights are more controversial than others, it is important to ensure that every eligible citizen has the right to vote and that the integrity of the democratic process is maintained. Finding a balance between accessibility and security will be an ongoing challenge for governments and citizens alike. By adjusting these laws we can make sure the majority of America is represented properly.

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