Make voting easier

A day off could enfranchise many students

From the headlines of The New York Times to the private conversations in the Michigan Union, the closely contested Presidential election and politics at large have been the buzz of the country over the past weeks. In spite of this renewed interested in politics, America has continued its abysmal trend of having one of the worst voter turnouts among developed nations. With work and classes, perhaps difficulty getting to the polls has something to do with it.

Although the issue has long been a concern among members of the media and the subject of speeches from elected officials, little has been done to ameliorate the situation. Voter turnout needs to be increased not simply to increase the number of opinions used in the process of governance but also to catalyze an atmosphere of public participation which is essential to a democracy.

Many people who don't vote complain that their vote doesn't really count: Nothing could be farther from the truth. When citizens of a democracy turn out in droves to vote they don't just legitimize themselves as the basis of self-government; they show that they care about the future of the United States.

Yet even in this presidential election, which has been characterized as the closest since John F. Kennedy's victory in 1960, many people who wanted to cast their ballot did not vote due to inconvenience. Our elected officials and community leaders should take every measure possible to encourage people to vote. An easy way the government could emphasize the importance of voting would be by declaring a national holiday on Election Day. This relatively painless step would reaffirm a belief that every policy maker should hold dear: The opinion of the entire public is important.

Furthermore, it would simply be easier for voters to get to the polls without worrying about other time commitments. If a national holiday were not possible, private employers could recognize the importance of Election Day by giving their employees time off.

The government has other venues to increase turnout as well. For instance, providing same-day registration services at polling sites would eliminate some of the inconvenience that causes people to refrain from voting. Absentee ballots could be made more accessible until shortly before Election Day as well.

The media and political establishment should continue to try and increase turnout. During this election fervor, it behooves everyone to realize that voting is not just a right - it is a responsibility.