Is Voting a Right or a privalege?
436491
Is there a 'right' to vote? Or should we take a different view and argue that it is a 'privilege' to vote? Let's see.\n\nIf voting is a 'right', especially if you call it a 'civil right' then by definition it can not be taken away. Rights can not be lost, for then they would not be 'rights'. Privileges can be lost (ask any teenager!), but not rights. Also, 'rights' belong to everyone equally, so if you have any rules about voting, it can not be a 'right'. Many countries have a minimum voting age. Well, since many countries are filled with convicted criminals that can not vote, as well as underage people that can not vote, voting can not be legally considered a 'right'.\n\nWell then, it is a privilege? If so, there are rules on earning it and on losing it. How does one 'earn' the privilege to vote? Is it by being a landowner? Is it by being born male, or by being old enough? How old is old enough? Is it 18 or 21 years of age?\n\nDo any of these rules, or the many other ones tried by countries over the centuries ensure quality voters? Many of us know people of voting age that are just plain, well, not intelligent voters. We also know people too young to vote that are very careful and intelligent about casting their vote. I know dumb landowners and intelligent renters. If you want to call voting a privilege, I assure you that any line you draw for people to cross in order to 'earn' that privilege will be a flawed line. I offer you the argument that voting is not a privilege.\n\nVoting in political elections is not a right, nor is it a privilege. Then what is it? I contend that it is a grave responsibility. Those that do not agree, should not be allowed to vote. Those that do agree, should be allowed to vote. They should strive hard to make 'informed' decisions which are best for them in the long-term.
81163
To have suffrage is to have the right to vote. It comes from the Latin word suffragium, which means voting tablet or the vote itself, and eventually came to mean the right to vote itself. For instance the Italian provinces were admitted to citizenship "sine suffrago," without the right to vote.
26992
We are real people answering real questions with real answers so please show your appreciation by choosing the best answer!\n\nfrom www.elections.ca:\n\n- The right to vote is a fundamental democratic right that is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It is the cornerstone of democracy.\n\n- When we vote, we choose the representatives who will make the laws and policies that govern how we live together.\n\n- The legitimacy of a government lies in the fact that it is elected. Low voter turnouts may call into question this democratic legitimacy.\n \n- While democracy involves much more than holding elections every five years, voting is a powerful way to send a message to governments and politicians. The more votes, the more powerful the message is. In other words, every vote counts. \n\n- Compared to other forms of political participation, voting does not require a lot of time or effort - in other words, it is one of the easiest ways to have a say in how your society is governed. \n\nOne of the most important points to me is that you have to live with the laws of Canada. The laws are made by the politicians. If you vote, you can have a way to help decide the laws that you have to live with.\n\nHTH,\n\nJennyinJamaica
847750
maybe I'm wrong but,i think people vote for the man or woman that stands for the rights of the people so we can have the better chose of our freedom in things like health,jobs and better pay,lower cost for meds and then retirement.\nwe need to vote for things that will help us to make life a little bit better then it is now.\nthis person has to make me really believe that he or she can make my life easy to make it better for me to live.\nnot turn around and tax the hell out of me.
28950
should we start voting?
254697
No.  In the U.S., the right to vote is a fundamental right, and generally cannot be conditioned on any status other than citizenship or felony conviction.
914349
Absolutely NOT. \n\nThis would be contrary to everything democracy stands for.\n\nEvery person of voting age should have an equal right to vote - anything else is not democracy and leads to the type of elite-ism satirised in George Orwell's animal farm - all people will be equal but some people will be more equal than others.\n\nWhat is more, I refuse to limit my answer on such an important issue to 25 words and there is not a damned thing you can do about it. \n\nI will use my right of free speech and my right to vote no matter how much you might disagree with my ability to choose wisely. \n\nToo many people don't have this luxury and too many people died ensuring I do have it. I will treasure and defend my right and the right of others to speak and vote freely.
404722
Non citizens should not have the privilege of voting, as long as they remain non citizens. I will summarize it with one word, DEPORTATION! America is under attack on all fronts by ILLEGAL ALIENS! WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!\nIF YOU'RE NOT ANGRY, YOU'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION!!!!!!!!\nIllegals should not have one iota, narry, nada, zip, zilch, goose egg, absolutely no representation, nor voting privileges. If illegals want to vote, let them GO HOME, to their native country to vote.
480993
No, because it doesn't matter if you do vote. Politicians do what they want not what they're elected for, and most voting systems don't allow proper representation.
396404
I would whisper in everyone's ear:  Liberty is the key.  Your own decisions about your own life, and how to live it, must be the dominant consideration when you vote.  That's what voting is for.  Therefore, vote for your Liberty.
1116365
Right is right. 'Rights' are inalienable. 'Wrongs' need to be righted.\n\n'Rights' are not priviledges. They are not earned.\n\nBut, I aggree that freedom isn't free.
579116
I vote every chance I get.  Voting is a privilege and should be exercised. I also research the issues beforehand so I am not voting just on the basis of the commercials put out by the candidates.
402155
You will never win this one, the law of the land says it's legal, in controlled and certain conditions, that should be good enough, unless you don't like democracy. If you do then vote. and make yourself heard through the democratic way.
274327
No, registering to vote is always free.  Poll taxes and fees used to be use to screen out poor minorities, but that is long gone now.
827132
I believe it is law. Check with yur local elections officer. They should give you time to go and vote. What are they, republican? LOL
291034
No, it would be a contradiction in terms. A right implies free choice to express that right, or not. That which is mandatory takes away one's freedom to do otherwise. Voting IS a right, even a privilege. But choosing not to exercise that right is another freedom in and of itself.\n\nLook, I know where this notion is coming from and on some level I can understand it. Entirely too many people in this country, including well-educated people, routinely fail to vote, even in national elections. It's annoying, especially when the hardliners on both sides of the political divide tend to turn out in droves and vote in lockstep. No wonder there doesn't seem to be any middle ground in American politics anymore. It would be nice to see more people voting and I do my best to encourage it among my more apathetic friends. But making it compulsory is a terrible idea that, thankfully, will not happen here. For what it's worth, even when it's a matter of having to decide between the lesser of two evils, I always vote.\n\nP.S. My first real office job involved working for and with lawyers. I learned a lot. Mostly I learned that a great many lawyers are complete jackasses who are out for self-aggrandizement and personal gain at any cost. This explains much, I think.
944204
No, there is no law against discussing your vote with others.  As far as I'm concerned a lot of people are paranoid about the privacy of their vote.  Unless you are ashamed of what or who you are voting for or against I don't feel that it makes a difference.  I am a poll worker in Toledo, OH, if it comes up I tell the voter it is up to them if they want to use a privacy screen etc.  It is every ones right to have a secret ballot.  There are regulations against having a union official or someone like that "assist" you if you have a disability though.