With the current presidential election in full throttle, candidates are striving to get every vote, dollar and volunteer help available. This may have been a hassle in the past, but times have changed. The internet is a popular and widespread place to find information about candidates as well as a convenient way to contribute and cast votes for your chosen candidate. Is the internet an effective, reliable and secure way to cast votes and if so, will it increase voter turnout? The websites of Obama, Clinton and McCain are filled with mobilization tactics as well as activation strategies. There is useful information and easy, time efficient ways to research and vote for your candidates.
“Much energy is spent on efforts to increase voter turnout, particularly during a time when voting turnouts are at 60-year lows. Some of that energy has focused on considering how people vote and finding methods that might increase turnout” (Stromer-Galley 2004). Though some may think internet voting is not a good idea, I say why not? If voting turnout is at an all time low, why not give it a try? The problem I see is that our younger generation that is now eligible to vote (18+) is all about current media. They may watch the news occasionally, but not enough to give them a good idea about what is going on in the presidential election or who to vote for, for that matter. They may get information from their peers, or the opinions of their parents, but isn’t it important for a young adult to be educated about who may rule their country and have the facts so that they can cast their own vote with confidence?
Also, what about the hard working men and women fighting for our country who are overseas? They of all people should have the ability to obtain election information and have the capability to vote. If anyone has been affected by our president’s choices, it is them, and they should be able to voice their opinion by casting their vote via internet.
In this situation, it is difficult to point fingers at one person or force blame specifically. The low voter turnout could be caused by multiple factors. Possibly not enough outreach to the “new voters” generation; not enough information provided to those who are uninformed and not enough force to those who are unmotivated. Everyone wishes that every eligible citizen would be pumped up to be involved in elections and get their vote casted, but that is not reality. People who work, have children and have busy lives may find it too difficult to go to the polling place and vote. “In most places, polling places open at 8 a.m. and close at 8 p.m., and voting is always on a workday. If a person wants to vote, she or he has to juggle jobs, children, and/or the commute to cast a ballot” (Stromer-galley 2004). This is a huge reason why voter turnout is low and why it is essential for there to be alternate ways to cast your ballot.
In order for this problem to be abolished or at least relieved in some sense, it is crucial that new and innovative ways to become informed of the elections and to cast votes. The internet is a great way to do this. It is basically accessible to everyone and is very convenient for most.
According to the lecture in class, the internet is the least common way to cast votes. It also said that it is not preferred by people who are too busy, but by younger, educated, higher income internet users. This does make sense, but to have this option available is vital to many, and may attract more voters in the future. I know personally, by going to each candidate’s websites and browsing through the page, I have learned much more about each person and what they represent. By knowing this information, it motivates me to be active in the campaign and vote!
Reference:
Stromer-Galley, Jennifer (2004). Will Internet Voting Increase Turnout? An analysis of voter preference. In Howard, P. N. & Jones, S. Society Online; The internet in context, p. 87-101.
