Importance of voting in a democratic society
Voting is that action or the process by which citizens of a particular democratic state indicate their choice, opinion or their will on certain decisions for example when choosing a candidate through a means such a ballot. In a society that respects democracy, it is usually essential to realize availability of a government that considers the will of its people a priority, thus a democratic government is a government that respects the will of the people (Boas and Taylor 72). Abraham Lincoln described a democratic government as a government of its people and it’s ruled and works for its people.
A democratic government that is functioning is usually approved by the people and considered the government that operates the whole nation. People pass the government that is to govern them through voting in the government that they want. Voting in most of the democratic governments has an age limit, these people are considered adults, and therefore they can make informed decisions on how they want to be ruled (Boas and Taylor 75). All the eligible people have the right to vote for their preferred candidate, and thus voting gives the citizens the right to choose who they want.
Leaders in most democratic states represent the people who voted for them and thus liable to them. It is also considered that one person represents a single vote and voting is a patriotic right of choosing a representative government, and it is the only way people express their opinions. An individual choice is then translated into the final tally where the decision of the majority is considered the final determination of the people. Abraham Lincoln said that no man could be good enough to govern another without consent from those men (Ezrow, Lawrence and Georgios 7). Voting is the way people permit to be ruled by the people they choose, and it is usually the priority duty of democracy as it stands for what the citizens believe in.
Furthermore, voting is the voice of citizens at any levels of the government and all the areas that affect the lives of the citizens, through voting the people have the power to eliminate an oppressive government and any threats that they may pose to the people. Voting in responsible government has a good impact on the lives of its citizens and also that of the future generations; thus being a patriotic citizen is making the right decision on voting because it matters.
Also, in a democratic society, voting is usually optional and it gives its citizens a chance to practice their right without any discrimination. People have the same rule of one person, one vote and therefore, all individuals are identical with a single opportunity to make decisions on their government (Gauja and Anika 32). When the citizens of a democratic society know the roles of their government, they are most likely to participate in creation and implementation of public policies.
Voting determines the future of a nation, and it shows the commitment that people have concerning the way they want to be governed. Through this, the leaders have to rule for the interest of its people and that of the nation in general. Voting also enables the people to vote for people with good and new ideas that will be able to transform the society to a better one, and it is the way to practice democracy (Gauja and Anika 36). It is, therefore, suitable to note that voting is the best way a patriot can show love for his/her country and exercise the democratic right.
Work cited
Boas, Taylor C. "Voting for Democracy: Campaign Effects in Chile's Democratic Transition." Latin American Politics and Society 57.2 (2015): 67-90.
Ezrow, Lawrence, and Georgios Xezonakis. "Satisfaction with democracy and voter turnout: A temporal perspective." Party Politics 22.1 (2016): 3-14.
Gauja, Anika. Political parties and elections: Legislating for representative democracy. Routledge, 2016.
