In a democracy, citizens have the power to decide the people who represent them in government. Everyone in the United States of America over the age of 18 is given the responsibility of electing representatives so that the government represents the wants and needs of the people. 

When one turns 18, they are given the right to vote. This, however, does not mean they are required to vote.

A large problem in the United States is voter turnout. The 2016 presidential election marked a 20-year low in voter turnout: only 58 percent of eligible voters marked their ballot. This led to the question of how voter turnout affects the results of elections, and whether or not voting should be a requirement.

As citizens, we have many requirements: we must pay our taxes, serve jury duty and obey the law. These requirements are necessary for keeping our country running. However, I do not believe it is democratic to require voting.

In the 2016 election, many people were faced with a personal conflict: they felt as if neither candidate would be able to accurately represent the people of this country. Furthermore, many people felt that with so many flaws, neither candidate was fit to run the country. Rather than deciding to vote for what they thought was the lesser of two evils, many chose to vote for no one. However, even if you do not cast a ballot, you are still voting in a way by not showing support for either candidate. While this does not mean neither candidate wins, polls of voter turnout relay the shortcomings of politics to society. This can lead to stronger future candidates and reform within the views of a party. Voting is seen as a way to let all the people of this country participate in their government. Not casting a vote can be the most accurate way to voice your opinion for what you believe is best for the government. If you believe neither candidate is fit to run the country, having to vote for one of them would silence that opinion. 

Some people do not feel educated enough on the candidates and their positions to vote. Some people feel like they don’t know which candidate represents them. Some people simply just don’t care enough about politics to vote. However, no matter the reason you chose not to vote, that is your choice and you understand the ways in which it affects you. 

If you understand a candidate will be elected anyway but still decide to not vote, you are giving the power of selection to the people, much like the government is. 

Making voting a requirement takes away the freedom it allows. If people are forced to vote for a candidate that doesn’t accurately represent them, it hurts democracy as a whole.