Two Goals: Civil Knowledge And Voter Participation
I admire Michael Waldman's idealism in matters of campaign finance, for I have long since given up any real hope for reform in that thicket. Given the pre-eminence of the First Amendment, most proposed reforms won't work. Given the clever minds attracted to the highest levels of politics, most regulations are soon circumvented. The combination of these givens is toxic to finance reform.
But Waldman is absolutely correct about voter registration, though he leaves out the essential companion to his idea. In my own book, A More Perfect Constitution, I proposed that registration be automatic for Americans--a legitimate function of the state, just as it is in most European democracies. Opposition to this proposal is based almost entirely on a fear of popular will. That is incompatible with democracy, but it is based on a legitimate recognition that most Americans simply don't understand the issues or the system. There is no question that ignorance on civic matters is widespread; a thousand studies prove it. But the solution is not to place barriers in the way of broader civic participation. Rather, the answer is to dramatically improve the quantity and quality of civic education in our schools, from kindergarten through college. Nothing will invigorate a representative democracy more than a combination of civic knowledge and voter participation. The two goals go hand in hand, and both must be strengthened and broadened simultaneously.
What a pleasure to have Larry Sabato here. And... seriously, can anyone think of a single reason why, when you turn 18, you're not automatically allowed to vote, wherever you happen to live at the time?
One thing is that if people want to opt out as some sort of protest they should have that right. But otherwise, this is simple psychology -- if you want more people to vote, start off by making them registered and make them opt out if they don't want to do be involved. The same thing has worked to get people to sign up for 401(k) plans at work. Opt out rather than opt in and you get greater participation.
January 23, 2009 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink