Voter turnout in the 2020 U.S. Presidential election was record-breaking – even

Voter turnout in the 2020 U.S. Presidential election was record-breaking – even with a pandemic. According to a Pew Research article, “Americans voted in record numbers in last year’s presidential election, casting nearly 158.4 million ballots. That works out to more than six-in-ten people of voting age and nearly two-thirds of estimated eligible voters.” Yet, despite the turnout, America remains behind other developed nations for voter participation. Browse the short article, Turnout soared in 2020 as nearly two-thirds of eligible U.S. voters cast ballots for presidentLinks to an external site..
The state of Texas, considered one of the more challenging states to exercise the vote, passed into law Texas Senate Bill No. 1Links to an external site. in August 2021 with the following new laws:
Bans 24-hour voting and drive-thru voting
New vote-by-mail ID mandates
Bans officials from mailing unsolicited mail-in ballot applications
Empowers poll watchers
New requirements for assisting voters (disabilities)
Monthly voter roll checks
Center for American ProgressLinks to an external site., a special interest group focused on creative ideas targeting specific policy areas – among them, increasing voter participation. CAP contends, “For the nation’s democracy to function properly and for government to provide fair representation, all eligible Americans must have the opportunity to vote—and be encouraged to do so.” Browse the article on some of the list of ideas CAP compiled to increase voter participation, Increasing Voter Participation in AmericaLinks to an external site.. In 2023, Tufts University published an article, Half of Young People Voted in 2020, Major Increase from 2016Links to an external site., with a state-by-state map indicating participation rates of Americans ages 18-29 and it shows some impressive stats… not everywhere.
What improvements would you suggest to foster greater enfranchisement (access to the vote and participation) for eligible citizens? Can you elaborate on your viewpoint?
Please remember the course academic standards outlined in Discussion Forum ‘Netiquette’. Rubric for the assignment, 30-point potential:
Rubric grading criteria
Points
Prompt initial post: Initial post is within 48-hours of the Discussion Forum opening. Post shows evidence the student has read the course material on the topic
10
Content length for initial post: Initial post is no less than 125-words and includes substantiates views and facts with academic-quality source(s). Provide MLA style citation(s) as needed at the end of a post.
5
Secondary post(s): Add value to the discussion with no less than three (3) engaging secondary posts over the span of the forum demonstrating an understanding of the material with well-developed ideas that sustain and/or stimulate further discussion.
Monitor posts for questions and comments.
10
Proofread: Grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization of proper nouns
5