Active engagement/participation in politics is hard to get people to do. People generally avoid talking about politics because most topics can be controversial. I think that if people were better educated on how much politics affects most things in life and how important the issues are, they would be more likely to engage in order to support the ideas they agree with and the people that can take the necessary steps and move in the right direction. 

One way to increase participation in elections would be making voting more convenient and also implementing some form of civic education. There could be in-person early voting to increase turnout to avoid the inconveniences that many people use as an excuse not to vote. In addition, having some form of civic education would better educate people about the importance of their vote and the impact that it has in the world they live in. If they realized the power of their vote, they would be more inclined to do so. 

I’m not sure how we would get others to run for office and engage actively in politics since it is difficult enough trying to get everyone to vote. Since it is such an extensive process, it would take a person who is extremely interested and passionate about politics, one who wants their voice to be heard. Not a lot of people are like that as they like to standby and just watch events unfold. Therefore, it would take someone who is not only passionate about politics but has the wealth and means to do so in order to run for office. 

I think that in order to get people to care enough to vote and/or participate in elections is if the candidates present a plan and agenda that align with people’s ideology. If the result would affect people, then they would be more likely to vote. Another factor that would motivate more people to vote is if the voting process is more widely talked about and less complex. Because of lack of information about how to vote and about politics, people find themselves distanced from the voting process and choose not to bother themselves. Voter suppression is a major problem. Long lines, strict registration laws, and voter intimidation make voting too much of a hassle for people.

In order to get someone to run for office and engage actively in politics is if the current state of their society and government are not pleasing to said person. Change in the direction that the person wants their society to succeed is an incentive for them to take active participation in politics. Also, if access to information about politics is much more accessible and more widely taught, people will find the voting process and active participation in politics easier to access and therefore will participate. 

To get people to actively engage in politics and run for office we have to have more in depth civic education and we also need to make sure that people feel represented and seen within their community and by community officials. 

To start, many people are unable to vote. In the US specifically, former and current prisoners convicted of felonies are disenfranchised during elections in many states. This not only affects people’s right to vote, but it also dispropoinately affects targeted groups. Some of these groups are African Americans and people of low income. Another way people are unable to vote is the lack of access. Unlike most of the world where elections are held on a Sunday, the US election day is held on a Tuesday. This means that people either have to take a day off from work to go vote or wait in lines when they get home. Although voting and election days are crucial to the AMerican democracy, this Tuesday is not a federal holiday, leaving people unable to vote since they are unable to take time off of work.

One big thing this election was that although the US has seen the highest voter turnout in years, many people still did not vote because of the candidates. I’ve heard from many people that did not like either candidate which led to not voting. Although there were more than two presidential candidates on the ballot, this year’s election felt like it was Trump or Biden. When neither candidate reflects people’s, to some it seems easier to not vote than place a vote for someone they don’t support. People also don’t vote because they feel their votes don’t count. People may think that there is only ONE vote so not voting will not be detrimental to the election. Also in the US, we know that some states usually go “red” or “blue”, so when people have the opposing view, they feel like their vote won’t count since the opposing side will overtake their vote. 

After reading the padlet, I saw that Derrick for Australia mentioned that in Australia if one does not vote they will be charged with a fine. I feel like more people should vote so if this was implemented where people have the choice to vote, obviously people would feel more inclined to vote. This brings up the question about why people care more about fines and money than who the leaders of their country/state will be?

-firstly; when you ask citizens about something Related to politics or law You notice that they are ignorant of many things that should be known for any native. For that  ; I think  they need to carrying out awareness campaigns through the media( for example); which they explain how any governing council works and what its goal .

-secondly; the candidate for elections has to speak with the mother language of that community. not using a Incomprehensible language  . Also  he has to be close for the citizens ; not being radical.  And all of that helps people trust  in this person and go to vote.

-thirdly;  if they made the day of polling: Holiday or national day; people will consider the voting like  important thing to do. 

-Finally: the responsible is the citizen and the community who can change the judgment ;because just giving a blank paper  shows that the people are not satisfied with the candidates.

But the important thing is the credibility for anything  said

“Be confident enough to encourage confidence in others”

The end 

I understand that not everyone is available to go to the ballots on voting day because it is a Tuesday and many people still have work, however I feel that this is not a valid excuse for this year’s election because of the option to complete a mail in ballot.

Some people feel that their vote doesn’t really count or won’t make a difference, but this year’s election has clearly shown that every vote counts. During this year’s election, I woke up one morning and there was a difference of just 900 votes in Georgia, one of the most important swing states in this year’s election.

Others decide not to vote because they don’t like “either candidate.” It is really sad that almost every year people act like there are only two candidates, a democrat and a republican, and this is awful because if people actually listened to what the other candidates from other parties had to say there would be more votes for that candidate. The idea of a two party system is very flawed and basically presents an ultimatum for the voting population.

Some people do not vote because they know that no matter which candidate is selected, their life will not change. To be able to say this and not be involved in politics in general shows disgusting amounts of privilege, ignorance, and selfishness. Even if you know that you won’t be affected, you should still vote for the candidate that you believe will most benefit the general public. People are way more likely to vote and engage in politics in general if they know that it affects them, which is really sad.

In many countries, voting is mandatory, or compulsory, as it is called, and I think that this would benefit the USA, because it would reinforce our democracy, and make more people become engaged in government and policy.