By Federico Trabucci
05 Nov 2024, 11:59 AM EST
In the United States, voting is not mandatory. This Tuesday the United States will vote for president and all the focus is on Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
Unlike other nations where it is considered a mandatory civic duty, American citizens can decide whether or not to participate in the electionswhether presidential, state or local, without facing fines or legal consequences.
The history of voting in the United States
The law in the United States establishes voting as a right and a privilege, without requiring its compliance, as indicated in the Constitution.
Since the first election in 1789, voting access has been a central issue in American democracy.
Over the years, various constitutional amendments have expanded electoral rights, allowing different social groups to participate in the process.
The 15th Amendment, for example, prohibited racial discrimination in 1870; The 19th Amendment recognized the right to vote for women in 1920, and the 26th Amendment lowered the minimum voting age to 18 in 1971. However, neither of these amendments have made voting mandatory.
The American system defends the freedom of its citizens to participate or abstain, considering both options as an exercise of their rights. The democratic tradition in the US promotes that the decision to vote or not be completely autonomous.
Despite this, abstentionism is a recurring theme in every election. Participation is key for elected leaders to represent the needs of society.
Therefore, during each electoral cycle, various campaigns seek to motivate more people to vote and get involved in the democratic process.
Ultimately, however, the right to decide whether to vote remains a personal and voluntary act in the context of American democracy.