Trotter 1

Kyla Trotter

Dr. Wynne

ENG 102-16

4/19/17

The Voting Registration Policy Needs to Ensure All Eligible Citizens Are Confirmed on Time

The Voting Registration Policy ensures the criteria one must meet and determines those

who are eligible to vote, yet, this has been a process that has been an obstacle for mostly

minority groups in America. A barrier for minority groups is not receiving their papers on time to

vote before the election. There is also history of African-Americans having more complications

than others with the voting process and there has also been false information advertised to block

them from voting on time or at all. America has history of preventing mainly minority groups

from voting on time and this issue must be addressed because this may have even affected the

2016 election turnout.

Minority groups in America have been. In the year of 2006 it was reported that 54

million eligible Americans are not registered to vote (Brennan Center for Justice). This means

that More than 25% of the voting age citizen population is not registered to vote (Brennan

Center for Justice) and this many people all have a voice that needs to be heard. There has been

record of false information advertised on fliers around African American neighborhoods listing

the wrong date for Election Day and warned that parking tickets and overdue rent should be

paid before voting (Voter Intimidation and Suppression in America Today). This is misleading

and prevents minorities from going to vote or even register for voting. Why do minorities vote

matter in the election count?

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The election turnout was a disappointment and had many in America shocked that

Donald Trump would even touch the White House. I dont believe he deserves to be in office not

only for his reckless statements and antics but for his values as a person that doesnt match what

a president should carry. My parents also have the same thoughts and were very upset about the

turnout because they were eligible to vote but werent able have their voice heard due to their

registration papers not arriving in time to vote. We had recently moved last summer and they had

to be registered in the state of Virginia and sent their papers off during that summer and did not

receive confirmation until a month after the election ended. Is it fair that this continues in

America?

The answer is no. We must force the Voters Registration Policy to make sure all of those

who are eligible and register to vote are either confirmed or denied in time for the next election.

It is unfair and against the law to prevent minority groups from voting because it is the 15th

amendment from the United States Constitution to prohibit denying citizens from voting based

on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Some may say the electoral college is what

really determines who wins and Hillary got the popular vote and didnt win the election.

However, if all eligible voters who registered received their papers on time or had not been

presented false information, there could be a higher number of people to favor Hillary Clinton in

those key states with more electoral votes. When people send in their papers for confirmation,

there should be a policy where as soon as they arrive, they should be either confirmed or denied

voters rights. America must hold its voting registration policy accountable for people receiving

their papers on time regardless of race to ensure everyones voice is heard through the next

election!
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Works Cited

Policy Brief on Restrictions on Voter Registration Drives | Brennan Center for Justice. Policy

Brief on Restrictions on Voter Registration Drives | Brennan Center for Justice, 12 Sept.

2006, www.brennancenter.org/analysis/policy-brief-restrictions-voter-registration-drives.

Accessed 20 Apr. 2017.

Voter Intimidation and Suppression in America

Today. Http://Archive.fairvote.org/Righttovote/PFAW-NAACP.pdf. Accessed 20 Apr.

2017.

Voter Registration Modernization. Nonprofit Vote Voter Registration Modernization

Comments, www.nonprofitvote.org/voter-registration-modernization/. Accessed 20 Apr.

2017.