Get Out The Vote

Michael Parker
ENGL 1020 (046)
“Get Out The Vote”


“Get Out The Vote” was a very interesting article in that the author at first seemed to be pressuring people to go vote no matter what. Upon reading more into the story, I realized the writer was justifying people’s reasons for not voting as well as for voting. At first, I felt that I should feel guilty if I do not want to vote or cannot make it to a polling place on time. The phrase that most made me feel this way was, “Three years ago anyone who failed to vote had to face the combined scorn of both political parties, the schoolteachers, boy scouts, war veterans, chambers of commerce, and leagues of women voters. Last year bar associations, girl scouts, tavern keepers, President Eisenhower, radio and TV stations, and junior chambers of commerce joined the crusade.” I pondered, for a moment, who was telling this story and then I realized the speaker of these words to be the political machines that were mentioned in the article. Political machines are best described as the wealthier candidates who spend a great deal of money on campaigning and who wish to clog up the polling places with voters who don’t want to be there as well as voters who are not well-informed and do not know all that much about the candidates. “The notion that "getting out the vote" makes for better election results is neither non-partisan, patriotic, nor logical. It is a device to favor the machines of both parties.”
As a matter of fact, those apathetic and uninformed voters are the intended targets for the machines, as well as the primary audience for this article. According to this article, it seems like the candidates would almost prefer the majority of voters be the misinformed kind. The candidate would get the votes from the informed voters and the uninformed ones might vote for them not realizing any better. And pressure placed on the non-voter would most likely make them cast a vote that would cancel out an informed voter’s casting.
I was not surprised to learn this article was written in 1955. Near the very beginning of the article, I read , “There is every prospect that in future elections, nonvoters will face jail sentences or fines, or be called to testify before investigating committees.” Upon seeing these words, I was reasonably sure that this was a dated piece. Authorities today would not even consider arresting or jailing someone who didn’t vote. Though this was written in 1955, another slogan has sort of captivated the youth of America recently. MTV’s “Rock The Vote” has encouraged young people to go vote during an important local or national election by telling the youth that their voice deserves to be heard. Entire “Rock The Vote” parties and televised events have been held and they often immolate the political conventions held by both the Democratic and Republican parties. What MTV has failed to do with this slogan and with these events is place a sense of urgency on the youth learning all they can about the candidates that are running for a particular office or position.
The central argument of this article, I believe, is that voting is important. As stated in the article, it should be a privilege, and not a duty. A main point of this argument is that we should all attempt to learn as much as we can about the candidates so that we can make an informed decision.
Another point raised states that if you have learned all you can and you do not like or cannot support any of the candidates, then do not cast a vote just for the sake of voting. I believe this point completely undermines the cultural idea set forth by our politicians that we should all get out and vote and make our voice heard. “The silliest idea of all is the notion that it is un-American or unpatriotic not to vote,” is the phrase that I most agree with because I did not vote in the last Presidential election that we had. I didn’t like Bush and didn’t know Kerry. None of the other candidates appealed to me either. So, on election day, I sat at home and watched the news to see just who did win.
This article was extremely fun to read because I can identify with the author. I think it is great that the politicians want you to get out and vote, but I believe that they should encourage all Americans to learn as much as possible about the candidates. They should also let Americans know that if they cannot find a candidate that they like or agree with, then it is acceptable not to vote.