What do you think should be the requirements for voting (national, political)?

Question

Please explain why! Just wanted to know some opinions...

some examples: age, citizenship, wealth, etc.

Thanks!

Answer 1

You should be a taxpayer. Plain and simple. If you are retired or collect welfare, you shouldn't be allowed to vote yourself a new social program paid for by the taxpayers.

Answer 2

Reading, citizenship, 25yrs of age, a lack of a felony....

Answer 3

photo ID,no felony convictions

Answer 4

I think you should be 18 and breathing.  

Answer 5

US citizen, 21 or older, no felonies, basic political knowledge, basic economic knowledge, and able to read, should be able to recognize all or most the candidates stances, ADDED: tax payer is a good one that I missed that Julie listed first.

Now as to why, this would reduce campaigning by politicians because their is no point if dumb people can not vote, or the people who know nothing can't be of use, and the only people who could vote already know the stances then campaining would have little to no effect. Thus you get to the real issues.

Added: In response to what you added

Age is a requirement because unless you are living on your own paying for yourself, you do not know how politics will effect the majority of the people. So teenagers (unless they are tax payers) should not be able to vote. (if it makes a difference I'm 20).

Added: for your second response

If the people no longer care to go out of their way (which is just knowledge) for their government why should they have a say in what is right and what is wrong, since they don't know anything and are not willing to learn.

But that is my point, if people are not willing to go through the hassle to vote or care enough to be smart voters, why should their opinions be valued.

Answer 6

They should bring back the test.  You should have to name the three branches of government.  You should be able to answers questions about the function of both.  A voter should know how many bills the president presents on the senate floor and how often he is required to vote on them.  Then one should have to prove they are not influenced by the propaganda.  "Is this candidate this, or did he/ she do that".  

  There should be a basic understanding of economics, geography, history, cause and effect, and science.  Everybody should have righ to vote, but they must attend a class.  The class should be free and availble.  

If you took out the felons, 3/4 of the sitting members of government wouldn't be allowed to vote?

Answer 7

US citizen, Not a felon, minimum IQ of 100.

Answer 8

Republicans only, like it is every year cause we're the only ones who get off our asses and do our civic duty, thats why the dems lose every year

Edit: Like i said sleeping dog, republicans only