To work, democracy needs people to vote

In order for any candidate to win the nomination, their would-be constituents must support them and ultimately, cast a vote. But the problem today is that voter turnout is decreasing.

The 2014 midterm elections were the lowest turnout since 1942, with only 36 percent of eligible voters casting ballots. Surveys have found Americans are just "too busy" to show up and vote these days.

These results are frustrating. The whole essence of a democracy is a government for the people, by the people.

Both of the conditions of democracy (for the people, by the people) have been slipping recently, so Americans should be taking even more initiative to evoke change in politics.

What's astounding is how many options there are to be involved in politics including writing letters to a representative, canvassing for a candidate, or attending local town meetings.

In order for a true representative democracy to function, I believe every citizen should find a way to participate in politics, even if it's just voting one time a year.

An elected official should be given a mandate by a true majority of all of their constituents, not a majority of the 30 percent of people who decided to vote.

Jimmy Corbin

Hawthorn Woods