Requirement test for voting in the US

[DeXoh]

This thread was inspired by the voting age thread, but it's a completely different topic so I made a new thread.


I believe there should be a requirement test for voting. Something along the lines of a basic US government test primarily testing for understanding of concepts imperative to knowing what you're voting for.

I obviously see the negatives to this, and I highly doubt it will ever be implemented but I believe it's fair. If you don't have the mental capacity or knowledge to pass the test, you shouldn't be voting. I'm aware that it's arguable unconstitutional. However, anyone can pass the test provided they know the knowledge, so it's not exactly barring certain people from voting.

Another quick counterargument I'd like to address is "bad test takers", maybe a verbal test could be administered?

I foresee a lot of flame for this, but I truly believe the positives outweigh then negatives.

And, if anyone has heard of a similar process in another state or time, let me know.

EDIT:
It is unconstitutional. I am aware of this. Answer as if this was not the case.

 

[T V]

No... everyone should have the right to vote, regardless of "mental capacity". It's an unalienable right.


edit: Yes, has been a similar process to this, during the American Civil War and for a while after it. African Americans who wanted to vote were required to pass literacy tests, recite passages from the Declaration of Independence, and other tasks that many whites themselves couldn't accomplish (I can't remember the name for these laws but, I'll look it up in a bit). These laws were implemented for the sole purpose of preventing African Americans to vote, because a large majority of them couldn't read or write.

 

[Rebecca Black]

And what would this test be based on? Your mental stability and leadership skills? Everyone has different needs and opinions these tests would be so biased and not fair to anyone who doesn't agree with mass majority.

EDIT: Also, who'd grade these tests?

 

[DeXoh]

No... everyone should have the right to vote, regardless of "mental capacity". It's an unalienable right.

According to the US Constitution, I'm aware. I'm proposing, if you want the right to vote you pass a knowledge based test regarding the US government. In my eyes that is not a huge violation of rights. (disregarding the US constitution, speaking theoretically)

And what would this test be based on? Your mental stability and leadership skills? Everyone has different needs and opinions these tests would be so biased and not fair to anyone who doesn't agree with mass majority.

EDIT: Also, who'd grade these tests?

No. Knowledge of US government, basic politics and whatnot. Things that should be known if you know what you're actually voting for.

And, multiple choice. Graded by machines.

 

[T V]

If someone failed the test, they'd be denied of their right to vote because they weren't deemed fit to vote by whoever created the test. It sounds biased no matter how you put it.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

 

[DeXoh]

If someone failed the test, they'd be denied of their right to vote because they weren't deemed fit to vote by whoever created the test. It sounds biased no matter how you put it.

An unlimited amount of retakes. This whole process would be very similar to a driving test. To the average American the ability to drive is probably a lot more pressing than voting. You have to pass a written exam to drive. Similarly, you pass this once and you can vote. Study guides could be distributed just like drivers tests.

The idea of universal suffrage is noble and all, but in reality I fear that most people have no idea what exactly they're voting for. Implementing a simple test that 99% of people that applied themselves could pass would not be a huge violation, in my opinion.

 

[MohtasaUnique]

No. Everyone is supposed to be equal and should have equal rights to vote. No one should be excluded after becoming a legal adult from voting, especially if they fail any sort of test (or fail to take it). It would be unconstitutional to say the least

 

[Rebecca Black]

An unlimited amount of retakes. This whole process would be very similar to a driving test. To the average American the ability to drive is probably a lot more pressing than voting. You have to pass a written exam to drive. Similarly, you pass this once and you can vote. Study guides could be distributed just like drivers tests.

The idea of universal suffrage is noble and all, but in reality I fear that most people have no idea what exactly they're voting for. Implementing a simple test that 99% of people that applied themselves could pass would not be a huge violation, in my opinion.

What would be the point when a person who just wanted to pass could as easily google the answers. Corruption would be marketing these tests to children, just to exploit the system and get ahead of the race against other candidates.

 

[DeXoh]

No. Everyone is supposed to be equal and should have equal rights to vote. No one should be excluded after becoming a legal adult from voting, especially if they fail any sort of test (or fail to take it). It would be unconstitutional to say the least

Everyone is supposed to be equal and have equal rights to drive. No one should be excluded after becoming a legal adult from driving, especially if they fail any sort of test (or fail to take it).

What would be the point when a person who just wanted to pass could as easily google the answers.

It would be a test with varying questions. Administered by the government, and proctored.

Corruption would be marketing these tests to children, just to exploit the system and get ahead of the race against other candidates.

.....What? I have no idea what you're talking about. You're misunderstanding something.

 

[MohtasaUnique]

Everyone is supposed to be equal and have equal rights to drive. No one should be excluded after becoming a legal adult from driving, especially if they fail any sort of test (or fail to take it).

Voting doesn't put people in physical danger like driving can, but nice try

 

[Imagine]

No... everyone should have the right to vote, regardless of "mental capacity". It's an unalienable right.


edit: Yes, has been a similar process to this, during the American Civil War and for a while after it. African Americans who wanted to vote were required to pass literacy tests, recite passages from the Declaration of Independence, and other tasks that many whites themselves couldn't accomplish (I can't remember the name for these laws but, I'll look it up in a bit). These laws were implemented for the sole purpose of preventing African Americans to vote, because a large majority of them couldn't read or write.

Jim crow laws?

 

[DeXoh]

Voting doesn't put people in physical danger like driving can, but nice try

Knowing arbitrary driving laws hardly decreases your chances of physical danger, I would know, considering I forgot them all. Although, I know what's potentially worse than physical danger: a state in which the people don't know what they're voting for and continually vote in unqualified presidents. But, nice try.

 

[T V]

What makes you feel that the majority of people today don't know why they make their choices for who the vote?

 

[MohtasaUnique]

Knowing arbitrary driving laws hardly decreases your chances of physical danger, I would know, considering I forgot them all. Although, I know what's potentially worse than physical danger: a state in which the people don't know what they're voting for and continually vote in unqualified presidents. But, nice try.

The average person's vote does not elect the president. Our votes only go as far as the electoral college and from there, it's the elector's votes that determines who becomes president. They're a college of men and women who are politicians and therefore know what they're doing, so uneducated elections of electors don't do nearly as much damage that an uneducated driver possibly can.
Also, if a candidate is "unqualified" then they can't run according to the constitution. The very same failsafe that ensures every adult gets the inalienable right to vote... but again, nice try.


P.S. Will you quit copying me with the "nice try" and my reasoning from my first post on this ridiculous topic? It makes for a better debate when you come up with your own thought processes

 

[DeXoh]

The average person's vote does not elect the president. Our votes only go as far as the electoral college and from there, it's the elector's votes that determines who becomes president. They're a college of men and women who are politicians and therefore know what they're doing, so uneducated elections of electors don't do nearly as much damage that an uneducated driver possibly can.
Also, if a candidate is "unqualified" then they can't run according to the constitution. The very same failsafe that ensures every adult gets the inalienable right to vote... but again, nice try.

The same principle applies to voting for electors. My use of unqualified was loose; I feel that an election voted by knowledgeable people would always result in the more qualified politicians being elected for any office, not just presidency.

What makes you feel that the majority of people today don't know why they make their choices for who the vote?

Experience. I can't really prove this.

 

[T V]

So... you're making a generalization without any real evidence...

 

[-Ryan]

No, there shouldnt be a test. Although there are many uneducated people in the US today, the people of the country have always had the right to vote and it should remain that way.

 

[NAG]

I think this is crap tbh, why would they even think that.