Comparative Politics

Name

nInstitution

nCourse

nDate

nComparative Politics

n“What We Know about Voter-ID Laws, Registration, and Turnout”

nVoter turnout is one of the most important aspects of democracy. Turnout play a major part at both the individual, community and country level. However, the economic model affects it, as voters are more likely to participate in voting if the advantages they anticipate to acquire are more than the costs (Hershey 87). Studies have indicated that the voter turnout reduces as the voting costs rises. Precisely, a minor rise in cost can significantly affect the turnout rates. In Indiana, for instance, the common problem of low turnout can be mitigated if those who participate in the elections are greatly representative of those who do not. In addition, some subgroups endure the most burdens of high costs associated to voting than others hence reduce the turnout of these groups (Hershey 87).

nSome of the costs associated to voting including, voter registration cost, institutional costs and voter-ID legislation. The cost of registration in American states is high as voters are compelled to visit registration centers before they are eligible to vote. Moreover, stringent registration rules and regulations lead to lower voter turnout (Hershey 88). For instance, early closing date during registration has substantial impact on turnout. Research has pointed out that if early date of closing registration were abolished, voter turnout would rise by 6.1 percent.

nMoreover, institution requirements also increase the cost of voting. Some of these include poll taxes, literacy tests, and residency requirement, which increased the voting costs (Hershey 87). Furthermore, institutional rules such as those barring convicted felons from voting. In 2000, more than 4.7 million convicted felons were prevented from voting. Significantly, these laws influence the voter turnout due to high rate of imprisonments particularly among the African American males in the U.S. similarly, cost associated to convenience of polling station, information costs and workers unpaid or paid leave (Hershey 89).

nLaws governing voter-ID impose huge costs to the voter that affect the turnout. Since the enactment of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), several states have enforced various kinds of voter-ID requirements. For instance, an individuals signature must match with that on the local election board. Reports have indicated that Indian has the most stringent laws on voter-ID. In this respect, all registered voters in the state should deliver a federal government of State of Indiana issued document having individuals photo (Hershey 89). Most of these documents are expensive to potential voters because of the cost of transportation, information, and time especially among people who live in counties where these documents are unavailable.

nThe cost imposed on voter because of registration, documentation and legislation is more devastating among disadvantaged groups. Studies have pointed out that most of the members of disadvantaged groups have lower voter turnout as compared to other groups because they have to bear huge cost of voting (Hershey 89). More obstructive registration laws extremely minimize the turnout of persons of low social-economic group. Similarly, less educated individuals are more likely to be denied chance to vote as compared to people with higher income and more education as they overcome voting cost.

nThe cost of voting has a huge impact among African Americans and other marginalized ethnicities and races. Scholars have noted the correlation between voter turnout and the cost involved in voting, which indicates that ethnic and racial groups vary in their access to politically appropriate resources (Hershey 90). In this respect, cost and relevant resources affect various ethnic or racial groups in diverse ways. In conclusion, the costs related to registration requirement, documentation and stringent laws on voter-ID reduce the voter turnout in the US especially in state of Indiana (Hershey 90). Therefore, appropriate measures should be enacted to reduce voting costs.

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nWork Cited

nHershey, Marjorie Randon. “What we know about voter-ID laws, registration, and turnout.” PS: Political Science & Politics 42.01 (2009): 87-91. Print