The
editorial by the Houston Chronicle Where’s that Texan pride in the voting booth? argues that Texas
residents lack pride, and lack a true understanding of the importance in
voting, as the title may suggest. It
also suggests that Texas residents don’t show up to vote. The writer’s argument is supported by
evidence of recent statics by the University of Florida that have made apparent
of the decrease number of voters in Texas due to voter apathy and demographics,
such as ethnicity and age. The voter
apathy argument focuses on “statisticians ranked the Lone Star State among the
worst in the nation in voter turnout. Only
28 percent of the Texas voters participated in the 2014 general election. Compare that to Maine, which led the country with
58 percent of its voters going to the poll.” The demographics such as age and
ethnicity argument focuses on “a third of the state’s Hispanic population can’t
vote because they are under age 18, compared to 20 percent of whites. Just as
important is that only about a third of Texas’ 4.7 million immigrants are
naturalized citizens who are eligible to vote. “
Although the writer of this editorial remained neutral,
this editorial suggests that the Democrat party has a real fighting chance to
win the senate office this midterm election next month, which could break the 30
year run for Republicans in the state of Texas.
This editorial did a great job of trying to reach, educate, and
encourage voters, especially the young, and the minorities who believe in Beto
O’Rourke’s democratic views, that voting
is vital. That each vote matters and can make a difference for the
people. The writer suggests that Texas
voters are all bark but no bite; that Texas voters are boisterous about their political
views, but fail to show up when it is time to vote. I couldn’t agree more after reading the
statistics I mentioned earlier. This
piece in regards to the younger unregistered voters mentioned that Texas is
among 12 states that does not allow online registration. It also mentions online registration is a
proven way to reach that demographic.
The writer failed to make his own suggestions as to what could possible
help reach the young, the minorities, and immigrants to register to vote. One suggestion such as high schools and colleges
should educate and give incentives for the young demographic to register and
vote. Also developing programs to
encourage and help prepare non-citizen immigrants to become citizen so they too
can vote. The writer did end his editorial
on a strong note stating, ”With so much at stake in the November election, no
Democrat, Republican, member of a minor party, or independent should cavalierly
throw away an opportunity to be part of the outcome.” With that being said, I will shamelessly plug
in my blog “VOTING IS VITAL.”
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