Blog 8

This post is very well written! I agree that the government should step back on trying to control citizens and only focus on protecting them.

I am also a Catholic as you describe in your bio. Although my religion is against same sex marriage, I believe everyone has the right to love who they want. If same sex marriage is not hurting anyone, it should not be illegal.

On the other hand, being attacked for what you believe is something the government should focus more on, whether that is allowing same sex marriage or opposing it.

As time passes I hope to see improvement and less power in our government. Instead of disagreeing with each other, we should all unite to fight for something we all agree on.

Blog 7

My blog has consisted on ways to increase voter turnout and my last advice would be to reward those who vote. Those who go through the difficult process of registering and waiting in long lines deserve get more than just an “I voted” sticker.

Studies have shown that once you vote, you are more likely to continue voting. Rewarding voters would be better than penalizing those who do not vote because it would still be a choice and not a requirement.

The Washington Post mentioned a nonprofit organization in Philadelphia and Los Angeles who conducted an experiment of a voting lottery. In Philadelphia, a man won $10,000 and “Los Angeles netted another Voter a $25,000 purse.” Voter turnout increased in both states during local elections.

To prevent people from voting only for the incentive, before inputting the ballot, there should be information on each party and what each candidate plans for the future. This will educate voter on who and what they are voting for.

Although voter turnout has increased since the last election, Texas voter turnout is still considered very low. Texas needs to make a change to encourage people to vote and what better way to do that then to give them an incentive. People would not mind waiting in a long line for a chance to win $10,000. Not only are the people getting something they want, they are also voicing their opinion and potentially making our country better.

Blog 6

I really enjoyed reading your blog and I absolutely agree! Giving women free birth control will prevent unplanned pregnancies and decrease the numbers of abortions. Unfortunately, women get pregnant in horrific events such as rape and if a woman is on birth control it can possibly prevent the pregnancy.

You make a very good point in the beginning of your blog about the foster care system. There are many kids who are in the foster care system lacking love, care and safety. Childrensrights.org states that in 2017 there were nearly 443,000 children in foster care and has possibly increased since the past 2 years. I believe free birth control could decrease these numbers drastically.

I could not see a downfall in giving women free birth control. Those who want it could get it and those who choose not to get it could pass on it. This would be beneficial for women of all incomes and ages. I really hope to see this take place in the future and free health care as well!!

Blog 5

In the constitution, there are many amendments that touch on the subject of voting. If voting is a right, why are many people not voting? In my opinion, many choose not to vote because our state makes voting difficult. If Texas made changes to the system of voting, I believe our voter turnout will increase dramatically.

Voting registration is where I believe the problem starts. The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 was created to enhance voting opportunities for Americans. This act was suppose to make voting registration easier, yet it is still very difficult for some people to register to vote. In my opinion, people should not have to register to vote. In the United States, there are 16 states which automatically register those who meet the requirements. If Texas had an automatic voting registration system, it would not only save money, but would increase the number of people who vote.

Another problem that I believe could be fixed is creating online voting. If people could vote online, in the comfort of their own home, voter turnout would increase. During the past few years, people have been able to purchase or access anything online. Some people are not able to leave their homes whether its because of their children, a disability or other personal issues. Early voting has made it easier for people to cast their votes but waiting in long lines can cause a problem for most. If people could stay home and vote at any time during the day, I believe it could increase voter turnout.

These are only two solutions that with the right security could be very successful. If Texas made the voting process available online, it would not only benefit many but it will save money in the long run.

Blog 4

David Montgomery’s blog “Here’s Why Texas Voter Turnout Was So Low, And Why It’s Surging Now” on HuffPost covers how and why voter turnout has increased since our last presidential election. Montgomery writes this article to inform Texan’s on the increase of voter turnout since Trump’s election and what caused it to increase. The article describes the ways citizens helped influence those not registered to vote. HuffPost verifies information written by any blogger and corroborates information whenever possible to provide correct information to their readers.

This blog mentions how young voters and Latinos, who make up a large percent of Texas, are less likely to vote. During Donald Trump’s election, early voting levels raised and Trump’s negative comments about immigrants seems to energize minorities everywhere to vote. Trump plays a major part for our increase in voter turnout especially because our state is so diverse.

Non profit programs at the University of Texas gathered around campus to set up tables explaining the importance of voting and encouraging students to vote. Voto Latino registered more than 200,000 citizens during the election cycle. Lawsuits by students at different universities around Texas changed early voting restrictions making it easier for all citizens to vote. I agree that making voting easier and increasing the knowledge of citizens, will create a positive change in voter turnout during the next elections. If the passion for changing our voting system continues, voter turnout will also change in a positive direction.

Blog 3

William A. Galston, a senior at the Brookings Institution, wrote an opinionated article in the New York Times: Telling Americans to Vote or Else. Galston’s article covers voter turnout and why he believes voting should be mandatory. The intended audience for his article are citizens of the united states and the other 164 countries who have not adopted mandatory voting. Being a senior of a group that conducts research and educates the public, many people may find him to be a very credible person on this type of subject matter. In his article, Galston explains the increase of turnout in Australia after adopting mandatory voting. Although the data collected by Galston on Australia’s voting turnout was positive, I would have to disagree with his opinion. Yes, voter turnout will definitely increase if there is a punishment attached for those who do not vote, but citizens would be voting for all the wrong reasons. Instead of wanting to make a change in our democracy, people would be voting to not get punished. I believe many people would not take the time to educate themselves which will not help our country. Although, there is some way that this could work. All of the money that Galston claims mandatory voting will save can be used to educate the public on the candidates and their beliefs. More votes does not necessarily equal a better democracy unless the citizens are making educated votes.

Blog 2

Voter turnout is defined as the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election. Midterm election hit a record high during the senate race, even though Texas has been known to have a low voter turnout. According to an article from THE WALL STREET JOURNAL by Aaron Zitner and Dante Chinni, Austin had more votes in the midterm election than the presidential election. The article goes on explaining the rarity of midterm elections surpassing presidential elections which has not been seen in centuries. The article compares vote casts from the presidential election in 2016, and the recent senate election in Texas, Montana, and Georgia. Focusing on Texas, the article explains the increase of votes in and around Austin. “Together, three counties in the Austin area produced nearly 24,000 more votes than they did in the 2016 presidential election”. Although the democratic senate won in those counties, Beto O’Rourke lost statewide by less than three percentage points. This article is filled with information about voter turnout, not only in Texas but in different parts of the United States. Professor Michael McDonald gives calculations of voter turnout which goes as far back as 1914. Reading this article will help increase your knowledge of the voter turnout during the midterm election and the presidential election of 2016.