political science 6 parts in 12hrs

INSTRUCTIONS: In this activity, you assume the role of a senator who has received a memo about a bill that would make Election Day a national holiday in an effort to increase voter participation. You will review arguments for and against this bill, decide whether or not you will support it and then provide a written explanation of your decision.

INTRODUCTION: To: Senator Mia Lily Jae

From: L. Luke Brian, legislative analyst

Subject: Voting reform legislation

In recent years, only 6 in 10 Americans voted in presidential elections, and only a third or so cast ballots for congressional elections. In a few recent presidential primaries and statewide special elections, turnout has run 10 percent or less. Studies show that often citizens miss the opportunity to vote because of complications with work or child care. To address this problem, legislators from both parties support celebrating Veterans Day on Election Day, which would create a national holiday for voting. Eligible voters who do not go to the polls would be fined.

To Consider: 

With bipartisan concern about maximizing voter turnout for upcoming elections, both the House and the Senate are considering bills to combine Veterans Day with Election Day and/or impose fines on nonvoters. Members of Congress declare that increasing turnout is vital to the continued health of American democracy.

Arguments for:

1. This proposal honors veterans by recognizing their service with the fundamental requirement of representative democracy, rule by the people through voting.

2. A voting holiday ensures that people who cannot take time off from work to vote or have other responsibilities have the opportunity to exercise their democratic right.

3. Imposing a fine for nonvoting sends a moral message that voting is a civic duty in a democracy. More citizens will feel morally obliged to vote if all citizens are legally obliged to do so.

Arguments against:

1. Just as veterans volunteer their service, so too should citizens volunteer to exercise their democratic responsibilities.

2. Voting is a right, but citizens have a civic duty to exercise that right, and the government should not, in effect, exercise that duty on their behalf. Moreover, people can vote by absentee ballot at their convenience.

3. Compulsory voting does not guarantee informed voting. It is both unwise and undemocratic to legally oblige people to vote.

Additional Research: 

The following links present the arguments for and against making Election Day a national holiday. Choose at least one link for each side of the argument and make sure to read through the entire text. Once you have enough information, move onto the next part of the activity.

Arguments in favor of making Election Day a national holiday: