I had this discussion with a friend the other day.

 

We both agreed that one of the biggest issues with the electoral process is the general lack of educated voters. Could a very basic test (done in the booth this way no one knows when they vote whether there vote is counting or not) help garner more education regarding politics?

 

We came up with basic questions such as:

 

1) What are the two Major Political Parties in America?

 

2) Who are the Presidential and Vice Presidential nominees from each?

 

3) What are the names of the two "houses" of Congress?

 

4) How many Justices are on the Supreme Court?

 

5) If both the President and Vice President die, who takes over the Office of the Presidency?

 

These are questions that anyone with just a very basic knowledge of American politics should be able to answer very easily.

 

And before anyone says I just want to restrict a certain group or political leaning group from voting, I assure you that's not the case. Heck, my mom and girlfriend both failed my "Test". :lol:

Voting polls would be very shallow.

Easy answer.

 

No.

 

Silly idea and not one we have had men and women fight for.

I'm with Clyde. This is a decisive "No." from me.

 

But I'm curious...

 

Given the average turnout in American elections, how many people do you suppose that can't answer those questions even show up to vote?

Totally. And there should be an IQ test on if you can procreate or not also.

Easy answer.

 

No.

 

Silly idea and not one we have had men and women fight for.

 

Totally agree. Next we will go back to the literacy Jim Crow tests and the poll taxes.

Wow, only took 6 posts before someone ignorantly brings up race.

Wow, only took 6 posts before someone ignorantly brings up race.

 

I'm sure that you had no intentions of this being race-related, but (not so) subtle laws like these have been used in the country's past to take away African American's right to vote. Did you intend it that way? Absolutely not. However, how do you think a 75 year old African American man would see this?

 

Every American has the right to vote, regardless of what they know or who they are (unless you're a felon).

I'm sure that you had no intentions of this being race-related, but (not so) subtle laws like these have been used in the country's past to take away African American's right to vote. Did you intend it that way? Absolutely not. However, how do you think a 75 year old African American man would see this?

 

Every American has the right to vote, regardless of what they know or who they are (unless you're a felon).

 

If they're intelligent, I'd assume they'd see it for what it is, a way to raise the education level of the voting public.

If they're intelligent, I'd assume they'd see it for what it is, a way to raise the education level of the voting public.

 

It's easy for you and me to say that.

I would settle for only Americans only once.

 

If they're intelligent, I'd assume they'd see it for what it is, a way to raise the education level of the voting public.

 

As loathe as you are to discuss race and its possible effect on society, his example is still instructive. Would it not be quite easy for someone in charge of such tests to write them in such a manner to disproportionately exclude certain segments of the population?

I'm sure that you had no intentions of this being race-related, but (not so) subtle laws like these have been used in the country's past to take away African American's right to vote. Did you intend it that way? Absolutely not. However, how do you think a 75 year old African American man would see this?

 

Every American has the right to vote, regardless of what they know or who they are (unless you're a felon).

 

I am not sure I believe this anymore. I would totally be for a simple national test requirement for voting registry. I am really tired of the extremely uneducated being able to decide the leaders of my country. We provide an education to everyone. Therefore, it is not a race or socio-economic issue. It is simply an issue of who takes advantage of the opportunity provided to them. I would be 100% for this.

I would settle for only Americans only once.

 

That would be a good start.

Easy answer.

 

No.

 

Silly idea and not one we have had men and women fight for.

 

^ This.

 

Obama must be winning.