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America's Election System: the Cornerstone of Our Democracy

Author : Markus Frost

Publisher : Nova Snova

Page : 397 pages

File Size : 18,24 MB

Release : 2020-04-30

Category : Elections

ISBN : 9781536177596

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Book Description

Chapter 1 reports on the mechanics of our democracy--access to voting, running for office, holding government accountable-- which have all undergone radical changes in recent years, and these changes have tended to restrict the rights of eligible voters to vote. It has made the voices of the wealthy and powerful so loud that they can drown out the voices of ordinary people. It is essential that our democracy works and the voices of all our citizens, rich and poor, young and old, are heard and heard equally.Election security is a national security issue and it must transcend party politics because it requires a unified effort to protect America's elections as discussed in chapter 2.



100% Democracy

Author : E.J. Dionne Jr.

Publisher : The New Press

Page : 221 pages

File Size : 37,69 MB

Release : 2022-03-22

Category : Political Science

ISBN : 1620976846

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Book Description

A timely and paradigm-shifting argument that all members of a democracy must participate in elections, by a leading political expert and Washington Post journalist Americans are required to pay taxes, serve on juries, get their kids vaccinated, get driver’s licenses, and sometimes go to war for their country. So why not ask—or require—every American to vote? In 100% Democracy, E.J. Dionne and Miles Rapoport argue that universal participation in our elections should be a cornerstone of our system. It would be the surest way to protect against voter suppression and the active disenfranchisement of a large share of our citizens. And it would create a system true to the Declaration of Independence’s aspirations by calling for a government based on the consent of all of the governed. It’s not as radical or utopian as it sounds: in Australia, where everyone is required to vote (Australians can vote “none of the above,” but they have to show up), 91.9 percent of Australians voted in the last major election in 2019, versus 60.1 percent in America’s 2016 presidential race. Australia hosts voting-day parties and actively celebrates this key civic duty. It is time for the United States to take a major leap forward and recognize voting as both a fundamental civil right and a solemn civic duty required of every eligible U.S. citizen.



Voter Suppression in U.S. Elections

Author : Stacey Abrams

Publisher : University of Georgia Press

Page : 175 pages

File Size : 11,37 MB

Release : 2020-06-15

Category : Political Science

ISBN : 0820357758

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Book Description

Historians have long been engaged in telling the story of the struggle for the vote. In the wake of recent contested elections, the suppression of the vote has returned to the headlines, as awareness of the deep structural barriers to the ballot, particularly for poor, black, and Latino voters, has called attention to the historical roots of issues related to voting access. Perhaps most notably, former state legislator Stacey Abrams’s campaign for Georgia's gubernatorial race drew national attention after she narrowly lost to then-secretary of state Brian Kemp, who had removed hundreds of thousands of voters from the official rolls. After her loss, Abrams created Fair Fight, a multimillion-dollar initiative to combat voter suppression in twenty states. At an annual conference of the Organization of American Historians, leading scholars Carol Anderson, Kevin M. Kruse, Heather Cox Richardson, and Heather Anne Thompson had a conversation with Abrams about the long history of voter suppression at the Library Company of Philadelphia. This book is a transcript of that extraordinary conversation, edited by Jim Downs. Voter Suppression in U.S. Elections offers an enlightening, history-informed conversation about voter disenfranchisement in the United States. By gathering scholars and activists whose work has provided sharp analyses of this issue, we see how historians in general explore contentious topics and provide historical context for students and the broader public. The book also includes a “top ten” selection of essays and articles by such writers as journalist Ari Berman, Pulitzer Prize–winning historian David Blight, and civil rights icon John Lewis.



Securing the Vote

Author : National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Publisher : National Academies Press

Page : 181 pages

File Size : 20,46 MB

Release : 2018-09-30

Category : Political Science

ISBN : 030947647X

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Book Description

During the 2016 presidential election, America's election infrastructure was targeted by actors sponsored by the Russian government. Securing the Vote: Protecting American Democracy examines the challenges arising out of the 2016 federal election, assesses current technology and standards for voting, and recommends steps that the federal government, state and local governments, election administrators, and vendors of voting technology should take to improve the security of election infrastructure. In doing so, the report provides a vision of voting that is more secure, accessible, reliable, and verifiable.



How To VOTE

Author : Gaylord Rudolph Livingston

Publisher : Independently Published

Page : 0 pages

File Size : 17,74 MB

Release : 2023-07-22

Category :

ISBN :

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Book Description

Why am I writing a book like this? It's not what I usually write about. Honestly, I found that over the period of many elections during my life, there were many things I was unsure about. Interestingly many people I have spoken to feel the same way. Voting is indeed a fundamental right and an integral part of democracy as it allows citizens to express their views and choose leaders who they believe will work towards improving society. However, there are several challenges that citizens face while voting, such as educating themselves about the candidates and their policies, the complexity of the election process itself, and the prevalence of misinformation and fake news. Despite these challenges, it is essential for citizens to educate themselves and participate in the democratic process. Educating oneself about the election process, including the different voting methods, voter registration, and voter suppression, is crucial to making informed voting decisions. This unique guide aims to unravel the intricacies of American voting, a cornerstone of our democratic process. Throughout my life, I've noticed many, including myself, grappling with understanding elections in the U.S. This book emerges as an answer, shedding light on critical topics like understanding candidates, their policies, and navigating the often complex electoral process while tackling misinformation and fake news. Understanding the history and current laws of voting, like the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the 26th Amendment, are essential elements for an informed citizen. Although not exhaustive, this book provides an insightful overview of these topics, making it easier for voters to navigate what can sometimes feel like a dystopian political landscape. The road to effective voting begins with educating oneself and actively participating in the democratic process. By doing so, we can contribute meaningfully to the future of the United States, making informed decisions that shape the country we love. Optimized for visibility and conversion, this book empowers every American citizen to participate more effectively in their democracy.



Reforming the Electoral Process in America

Author : Brian L. Fife

Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Page : 167 pages

File Size : 16,24 MB

Release : 2010-06-16

Category : Political Science

ISBN :

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Book Description

Calling for increased civic engagement, this book makes a compelling case for reforms that will democratize American elections and provide more power to the people. Quick-fix plans to "restore democracy" are a dime a dozen. Happily, Reforming the Electoral Process in America: Toward More Democracy in the 21st Century offers a more nuanced approach, emphasizing the value of civic engagement in a democratic society. Author Brian L. Fife situates our current plight in the context of the growth of democracy, from the Founding Fathers through the Jackson era, the enfranchisement of blacks after the Civil War, women's suffrage, and the Voting Rights Act of the 1960s. He reflects on the work of the Framers as it pertains to voting and elections, compares voting laws and voter turnout in the various states, and offers an analysis of the impact of money in American elections. Ultimately, Fife proposes a blueprint for reform that includes national same-day voter registration, elimination of punch card and mechanical voting machines, reconsideration of felons' voting rights, regional primaries, and the abolition of the Electoral College.



The Disappearing American Voter

Author : Ruy A. Teixeira

Publisher : Brookings Institution Press

Page : 258 pages

File Size : 25,82 MB

Release : 2011-10-01

Category : Political Science

ISBN : 9780815723202

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Book Description

The right to vote is the cornerstone of democracy. To millions around the world who have fought for that right, it is considered a privilege. Yet the magnitude of nonvoting in America is staggering. More than 91 million Americans did not vote in 1988, putting voter turnout at barely half of the voting-age population. This situation has stirred much comment and debate across the political spectrum, raising several questions: Why is voter turnout generally so low? Why has it declined steadily over the past three decades? Does low and declining turnout significantly bias the nature of contemporary U.S. politics? And what, if anything, can be done to increase voter participation? In this book, Ruy Teixeira addresses each of these question in detail in an effort to provide policymakers and the general public with a clearer view of the problem and possible solutions. The author's interpretations and recommendations are both provocative and firmly based on currently available data. Teixeira includes an assessment of current registration reform legislation and shows why a combination of registration reform and political reform is necessary to fully reverse the nonvoting trend and move to substantially higher turnout levels. He points out that while it is unlikely U.S. voter turnout will ever approach levels in Sweden, Australia, and Belgium—which are about 90 percent—with a thorough reform program, levels of around 70 percent, such as those in Japan and Canada, may be attainable.



A Citizen's Guide to U.S. Elections

Author : Costas Panagopoulos

Publisher : Routledge

Page : 185 pages

File Size : 42,43 MB

Release : 2015-11-06

Category : Political Science

ISBN : 1317510828

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Book Description

Political observers routinely lament that American democracy is broken, and many of them blame electoral malfunction. But is the system really broken? Panagopoulos and Weinschenk make the case that citizens are empowered to fix what’s wrong with electoral politics and renew democracy in America, all within the institutional setup and framework of the existing system. Put simply, much of what is broken can be fixed if people stop throwing up their arms and start rolling up their sleeves to do the hard work of building our democracy. This book provides an overview of the basic features that characterize contemporary elections in the United States and includes discussions about voter participation and decision-making patterns, money in elections, and the role of parties and the media in presidential, congressional and state and local races. It also outlines some of the most important trends and challenges in the current system. As a call to action, each chapter features potential solutions to the challenges that exist in U.S. elections.



Fixing Elections

Author : Steven Hill

Publisher : Psychology Press

Page : 388 pages

File Size : 24,4 MB

Release : 2002

Category : Political Science

ISBN : 9780415931939

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Book Description

Fixing Elections is a refreshing blueprint to resurrect our founders' democratic vision by adopting common-sense changes already instituted in other democracies. It will change the way you think about American politics.



Is This Any Way to Run a Democratic Government?

Author : Stephen J. Wayne

Publisher : Georgetown University Press

Page : 210 pages

File Size : 23,54 MB

Release : 2004-04-15

Category : Political Science

ISBN : 9781589013490

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Book Description

Has our system of checks and balances between the three branches of our federal government undergone changes for good or ill over the years since the Constitution was set as the cornerstone of our nation? How stand our political traditions, our personal freedoms, our purported equality, our sense of governance "of, by, and for the people"? Are we the democratic nation we set out to be, or do we have a distance to go to achieve this ideal? Alternatively, is approaching a democratic ideal desirable today in the light of the smaller, more integrated, and dangerous world in which we live? Is This Any Way to Run a Democratic Government? examines the theory and practice of American democracy and the dichotomy that currently exists between them. The contributors assess both the reasons—and the consequences—of this division between the theory of democracy and how it is played out in actuality. Focusing on the here and now, this book is about the institutions, process, and politics of government: how well they work; whether they meet the criteria for a viable democratic system; and the extent to which they contribute to good public policy. As we begin the 21st century, with rancorous political partisanship and threats to domestic security and tranquility at an all-time high, Is This Any Way to Run a Democratic Government? asks us to think seriously about the state of our much-heralded democracy, and whether or not our political system can respond to the pressing needs of a new era without jeopardizing the basic values and beliefs that underlie its very foundation.