I think the question we need to be asking is do we want our electoral process to be more efficient or do we want it to be merely an exercise of one's freedom & right as a citizen? IMO, voting shouldn't be viewed as just a gesture or action. We have our process because we believe to a certain degree that it is the best way to run a nation. We are saying that the people, not the government, have the power. A citizen needs to accept some responsibility in the process. A person's vote is a *sacred* thing. By voting, a citizen is saying "This is my decision on how the country/state/city should be best run." Simply pulling a lever shouldn't be the only responsibility a citizen has in the process. If someone can't prove who they are, name the three branches of government, or answer some other basic civics questions, then they are doing a disservice to their country and devaluing the votes of responsible citizens. IMO, they are disrespecting the process because they are demonstrating that it isn't worth their time to accept even the smallest responsibility to make sure their vote remains sacred.

That's why I am all for voter ID and/or a small test. Make it free, fair, and available to everyone. If there is any kind of wrongdoing in the application of those standards, then throw the guilty parties under the jail. However, if proving your identity or your basic knowledge of our country dissuades you from voting, then you are admitting that your right to vote isn't that important to you.

Everyone should be allowed to vote, but they should acknowledge their role in the process. The government shouldn't be the one demanding this responsibility from the voters. The people should be the ones demanding it from their fellow voters.

Of course I also think Election Day should be on a Saturday, there should be no party affiliation listed on a ballot, judges shouldn't be elected, and there should be term limits for every office.

This post was edited on 5/12/15 at 8:28 am