Non-Citizens Should Have the Right to Vote
Tayler Gill
Ryerson University
Joerg Wittenbrinck Non-Citizens should have the right to vote
According to Elections Canada (2011), the right to vote is a major equitable right that is ensured by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It is the foundation of democracy. When we vote, we pick the representatives who will make the laws and strategies that represent how we live together. The authenticity of an administration lies in the way that it is chosen. Low voter turnouts may call into inquiry the legitimacy of authority. While democracy includes a great deal holding elections every five years, voting is an effective approach to make an impression on governments and legislators. The more votes, the more compelling the message is. Ultimately, each vote counts. To vote in Canada at any level of government, you must be a Canadian citizen. (“Why Should I Vote”, 2011) As a result, masses of adults who reside in Canada are denied the right to vote because they are not Canadian citizens. There is no question that the status of citizenship has been contested since the migration trend in Canada soared the past 20 years. (Siemiatycki, 2011) These residents work, pay local taxes, use city services, send their children to school but cannot vote. (Munro, 2008) Giving non-citizens voting rights would give permanent residents an opportunity to participate in decisions made on local services and issues, fostering a sense of
Everyone in Canada should contribute to the country through their taxes, because the money that we pay to the government goes to the country's important social programs, such as health care and education. Another key part of being an active citizen is taking part in the democratic process. In order for a democracy to work, it is imperative that all people take part not only in voting, but also in investigating the party and policies of the party that they intend to vote for. If everyone does not vote, then it is not a democracy, because what the majority of the country wants cannot be known. Although voting is important, it is not the only way that citizens can change something within the democratic system.
The issue of electoral reform has become more important than ever in Canada in recent years as the general public has come to realize that our current first-past-the-post, winner-take-all system, formally known as single-member plurality (SMP) has produced majority governments of questionable legitimacy. Of the major democracies in the world, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom are the only countries that still have SMP systems in place. Interestingly enough, there has been enormous political tension and division in the last few years in these countries, culminating with the election results in Canada and the USA this year that polarized both countries. In the last year we have seen
Voting in many countries is held in different ways. In The United States of America, voting is voluntary while the Australian citizen has to vote, it is compulsory. When an Australian citizen does not vote they receive a fine. Compulsory voting has now become a large political issue for many countries. Great Britain has seen a dramatic decline in the number of people voting in the last 15 years (Singh, 2014) and compulsory voting has become a large political and social debate. However, as with any political change, there are strengths and weaknesses. The Australian system is an excellent one to analyse as the question has to be asked when introducing compulsory voting what are the long term democratic, economic and social issues? Four key points can be outlined to consider the strengths and weaknesses of the Australian compulsory voting system. The first, compulsory voting provides a clear and accurate representation of an entire electorate. Additionally, this system may influence an increase in support for the leftist policy in a current democratic institution. Another key issue to consider is, does an active and informed citizen have a moral duty and obligation to vote to protect and further society? Key constitutional changes brought about by referendums can prove that compulsory voting is essential and needed in society for every vote to count. Lastly, compulsory voting when being a secret ballot can turn into a more compulsory “turn up” for many citizens as they can
A Canadian born resident have the right to vote at the legal age of 18 years old similar to other countries but you cannot be out of the country more than 5 or more years and planning on voting in your country. Being held responsible for their families
“The spirit of democracy cannot be imposed from without. It has to come from within”. (Gandhi) A lawful and fair democracy is one that represents the people, where the will of the people is done not where the government’s will is enforced. Here in Canada we believe a democratic government is well suited for its people but like any other system it has its flaws. This country was a model democracy. Canada’s wealth, respect for legal, human and civil rights almost promises that this country has the potential to uphold a legitimate democracy. Reading headlines today concerning the state of democracy in Canada we can see how our political system is slipping. A democracy should uphold the rights of its people rather than the rights of a
One of the most important rights for a Canadian is that “Every citizen of Canada has the right to vote in an election of members of the House of Commons
The term franchise denotes the right to vote in public elections for members of Parliament, provincial legislatures and municipal councils. The Canadian franchise dates from the mid-18th-century colonial period when, as a general rule, restrictions effectively limited the vote to male property holders. Since then, the particular voting qualifications and the pace of expanding the categories of eligible voters have differed according to jurisdiction and have reflected changing social values and constitutional
A very controversial topic in the United States is whether or not Americans should be required to vote. Voting is a very essential piece to democracy, but many Americans today are not attending their voting location and supporting the candidate they feel is best. In recent elections, just 60% of registered voters casted their vote for a candidate. This is an issue that many people are not happy about, but whether or not there is reason to fix it is the other side to the case. Voter participation is an issue that has been going on for years, and no laws are in place currently to bring it up. Americans have been proud to live in a “free country”, and a law forcing citizens to vote may be against America’s principles. Compulsory voting should
1. The opinion expressed by the speaker is that Canada should introduce a new law or legislation which makes people who are above the legal age for voting, actually vote during the voting process. Since many people don’t vote, it doesn’t truly represent Canada and we cannot call it a truly democratically elected government because like last time, 40% of the population didn’t vote. 2. The speaker sates that during the last elections only 60% of people voted.
Who our next leader is can rely on the voice of only one person. Before America was born we didn't have a say in who our next leaders would be. The king was the king no matter what the people thought about him. Since then things have changed. Therefore, all Americans should vote because we need to exercise our right to vote, our leaders have a direct impact on our lives and, because if you took no part in helping to decide who our next elected officials will be you have no right to complain about who it is.
The core values all citizens of the United States share are liberty, equality, and democracy. One right that falls under these guidelines is that of equal representation in the political atmosphere, namely voting. Undoubtedly, many Americans would consider the ability to vote fairly and freely a fundamental right granted by the Constitution. However, one would be amazed to realize that the right is not specifically stated anywhere within the original Constitution, any of its provisions, or the Bill of Rights. There are centuries of history and legislation that allows Americans the right to represent themselves as a “government by the people, for the people,” (Lincoln) like they do today. A long history of struggles to define what a citizen is, and by extension who has the right to vote, through various acts and amendments culminated to form a very structured and organized method in the election of a president.
Since the establishment of our great country, Americans utilized the ballot box as a freedom of expression. Voting is a basic right that many of us take for granted, some even viewing it as a “God given right.” As citizens, we expect the right to vote. Many oblivious to the fact that voting is a privilege that can be revoked. The process, commonly referred to as disenfranchisement, is the principle reason for my summary. Today more than ever, one of America's post-election concerns is voter turnout. Usually, the numbers are bleak, especially during local elections. As a society, we cannot afford to turn our back on one of the pillars of a democracy. If elected officials are to represent segments of voters, then people from all
In the Democracy video its states that in the United States everyone has the right to vote throughout the history of the country. Historically the two groups and people that did not have the right to vote, were woman and slaves. It states that they started at 1:28 that women, slaves, ad forgivers wern't able to vote. They gained their right to vote in 1920, when they gained their rights, when slavery was no longer allowed. It's important to all the citizens to vote because people's choice who they want to pick or think something should happen. People should really have that
EMVs are new technology and I belive that they are just evolving. Technology has evolved to the point where everything is electronic now. Emvs are easy to use in 2003 97% of a diverse group of people say that they had no trouble using the machine. Technology can intimidate people especailly for people who havent had it easy, like people with disablities. However, they have made accomadations for people with disabilities. From Everyone Should Be Able to Vote, they state the machines have audio and voice systems that accomadate people with disablities. also america has a lot of people who speak different langueages but they have people at the polls who can help them. Some people do not like people knowing who they vote for, but this is not
Everyone should be able to vote, voting is a precious right that we as Americans share. These passages, lets call them arguments, reflect the options that the voting public has to cast thier ballots. The debate that is up for disscusion is weither or not electronic voting machines (EVM's), or paper ballots, are more efficient in voting.