Elections in the United States
Can someone clarify my doubts?
Today is the presidential election in the United States, and I have the day off from work. I’m not a citizen and can’t vote, but the office is closed for everyone, which isn’t very common since most Americans work as usual on this day.
Just like in past elections, I can’t resist the temptation to try to understand the electoral system in this country and end up failing again. When I ask my American friends questions, they can’t answer them, and I leave them confused about their own country.
How do elections work here?
🔸Voting is not mandatory. If you want to vote, you can; if not, you don’t have to. In the 2020 elections, 66.8% of citizens went to vote, and 61.4% did so in 2016. In comparison, in Argentina where voting is mandatory, 77.65% of the electorate voted in the 2023 presidential elections, one of the lowest percentages since the restoration of democracy in 1983. Voting is a right in both countries, but should it also be an obligation?
🔸Being eligible isn’t enough to vote. If you want to vote, you have to register. I asked my friend Nadia whether you have to register for each election or if you just register once and that’s it. She explained that each state has different electoral laws. In her case, in Texas, it wasn’t necessary to renew the registration unless she moved.
🔸Elections are held on the first Tuesday of November. Why not on a Sunday when more people are free to go vote? It’s a Tuesday because of a law from 1845 that makes no sense today. In fact, there’s an organization called Why Tuesday? that aims to change the voting day to encourage greater electoral participation.
In the 2016 elections, I remember accompanying my supervisor to vote because I was very curious about how the election worked. I was baffled that she didn’t show her ID, and she was confused when I asked her how she could vote without an official ID. She told me they knew her because it was a small town. “But do they know everyone?” I insisted. No one was asked for IDs. “What happens in big cities?” I asked. In Argentina, it’s unthinkable for someone to vote without their national identity document. My supervisor couldn’t answer me.
Now, after several years in the Northern Hemisphere, I understand the complexity of talking about a national ID in a country where there is no official identification at the federal level. Each state has its own laws for issuing documents and driver’s licenses, which in turn affects state electoral laws.
I remember that my Puerto Rican colleague didn’t want to vote in 2016. She didn’t believe in either of the two candidates, Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, and not voting was her form of protest. Puerto Ricans can’t vote in presidential elections from Puerto Rico, but they can if they are in the United States. I wonder if she has changed her mind and voted today.
In 2016, I didn’t stay up to watch the results. In 2020, it took days to know them. Tonight, I organized a dinner party with friends, all foreigners who don’t vote, to watch the results together and see what decision this country will make for the next four years.
Did you vote? How does it work in your state?
If someone you know might be able to help me understand voting in the U.S., please share my questions.
Thank you for reading me today.
Until next time!
Maria Pia
I couldn’t even imagine that it is not mandatory to show an ID. if I move from one place to another every hour, how many times can I vote? each one?
in Ukraine you are not allowed to vote if you don’t have your ID with you.
interesting fact about Tuesday, didn’t know that.
I personally believe that only people who pass the specific test should be allowed to vote😬
this moment is so important for everyone in the country, why should I rely on people who vote for somebody just because they don’t want to see a woman running the country? insane.
or am I insane?😄
Hi Pia,
Susan & I voted this afternoon. We did not have to show IDs because our next door neighbor was the person who signed us in and gave us paper ballots. We did have our IDs ready. Most of our friends had voted early. We hope to catch up with you & Biko soon.
Bob