Voting In The State Of Texas
When it comes to the State of Texas and its politics there have been many historical barriers for voting. The barriers range from economic, political compromises, negotiation cost, and history its self. The people play a big role when it comes to voting, they have the right to decide if they want to participate in political situations that may arise. Barriers arise because people will not side with their thoughts and feelings about a topic. How is the voting information collected, how to pick the right candidate for the job, and if the person is qualified to participate in the voting process? Race and gender was a barrier that affects a large population.
Women have always been seen as less than equal when it comes to men throughout history. In Texas, women were giving the right to vote before the rest of the United States. African Americans fought for a right to vote and are part of politics. Early Registration was a barrier in voting since it had to be done nine months prior. This was illegal and made it harder for people wanting to participate. Texas required people to own land and live in Texas a certain amount of time in order to vote. Barriers that would make political participation impossible. A person race has always been a reason for everything in history, in “1923 Texas law allows the Democratic party to bar Africans Americans from voting in the primary elections.”(‘Timeline of Voting & Elections in Texas’) African Americans were not the only race with barriers when it came to voting in Texas. “During the early 1900s, poll taxes, direct primaries, and white primaries were adopted with the purpose of establishing voting requirements that the vast majority of Mexican Americans could not meet, although they already constituted a decisive voting bloc in many areas of the state.”(Perales)
Low levels of voting participation reasons are education, income, age, culture, and undocumented residents to name a few. If we split Texas in half, the southern part has a higher number of young people. The younger generation does no participate in politics as much as the older generation. There are different organizations that work with the younger generation when they turn eighteen to help them become a registered voter. People education and income level can affect the way they think about politics. Having a thought process as if their voice does not matter. The information about the different parties and candidates can be overwhelming for the low income and education personal also. People seem to participate in president level voting over state-level voting.
Voter Identification as always seems to be an issue when it comes someone casting their vote in the elections. Identification is needed to make sure no one is voting fraudulent, non-citizen voting and even trying to vote more than once. The different political parties will argue that voter identification laws affect people that have a lack of or no ability to get the required identification. Making it harder to get the votes needed for their party to win the election. I think the voter identification laws are reasonable to a certain point when it comes to making sure no illegal activity goes on.
When it comes to voter identification I do not that students should be able to use their student identification since it lacks certain information that can be found on a government identification card. There are several forms of government identification that someone could have in order to vote such as drivers license, passport, identification card from the DMV. With so many forms of identification, there is no need for students to be able to use their student identification. Another reason students identification should not be used to vote is that everyone can get one and do not have to be a legal resident. Voter identification can have a major impact on voter participation.
Voter participate has always been a topic of discussing. I believe that it will be a positive change in participate, the younger generation trying to get their voice heard. Social media has made it easier to get the word out. Social media has also made it easier for the younger generation to learn about the candidates and parties. The younger generation is all about being seen, they go vote and take a picture with their stickers and others will follow the trend. A short term solution would be to educate voters on voters identification and volunteer opportunities. A long term solution would be a new way of voting for individuals such as mobile voting for home-bound individuals, education the Texas citizens.
Lawmakers and election officials seem to be willing to change things to increase voter turnout in my opinion. I think lawmakers and election officials will see that the population of Texas is young and will try and reach them. Things will change as long as the integrity of the state and the legal system is not compromised. The younger generation needs to have trust in the lawmakers and election officials, with trust there could be a positive change happen.
Through history no matter if we look at the United States or Texas barriers of voting. Both the United States and Texas had major barriers and reasons that are the same. In my opinion, voting is a right that everyone has when they turn eighteen and are a citizen. Voting should never be taking away from someone, everyone should be able to have their voice be heard. Texas had voting barriers in the past, the future should have fewer barriers and more educational opportunities.
Works Cited
- Perales, Nina. THE MINORITY VOTING EXPERIENCE IN TEXAS SINCE 1982. 2006. www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/7-13-06ninaperales.pdf.
- ‘Timeline of Voting & Elections in Texas.’MyLO, 28 June 2018, my.lwv.org/texas/educators/timeline-voting-elections-texas.
