Why do we let ignorant people vote? This question, often asked during presidential election periods, brings to light that we have an issue with the voting public. In general, Americans do not vote. The public feels that they are too busy, or even feel as if their vote doesn't matter. Perhaps the most shocking statistic is the incredibly low young voter participation statistic. These young voters often say they don't vote because they simply don't feel as if their vote matters, that they are 'lost in the system'. The only fix for our catastrophic voting system is to enact term limits. By putting term limits in place we will engage the younger voters, eradicate people voting mindlessly for the incumbent, and help inform the general public. 

The first thing to look at when voting is the future, the younger generation. The younger generation, despite being far and away the most informed, vote the least of any. In a society filled with social media, countless news outlets, and  --  at least where I am from  --  an excellent school system, it is hard to understand why the freshest group of voters participate the least. A new report from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University found that just 19.9 percent of 18-29 year olds cast a ballot in the 2014 midterm elections (Rampell). So why is this? Rightfully so, the American youth feels betrayed by the institutions that once claimed to represent their interests. From unprecedented student loan interest rates to a poor economy with even poorer job prospects, the new generation has little to believe in. A recent from Harvard's Institute of politics, being reported on by The Washington Post, concluded that the vast majority of 18-29 year olds have little to no confidence that the people of authority within the government will "doing the right thing". 

Besides those who don't want to vote because they simply do not have time or it is inconvenient, its also common area these days to simply not vote because of a strong distaste for what there is to vote for. This idea, that people would simply rather not vote at all, than vote for the trash that we elect into politics. The American public's congressional approval rating is at 16% the lowest in history, and yet our congressional incumbent reelection rating is above 90%. We daily talk down what the government accomplishes, and how awful congress is  --  and yet we re elect these people we hate at a rate higher than in the past. This fact only shows that the American voting system needs a change. 

Other than, but not excluding, the younger voters, the general American public is undeniably uninformed. The people who vote, which is lower than ever before in history, just don't know what they are voting for. A Pew Research Center poll found that approximately 40 percent of Americans cannot name the Vice President. A similar study, conducted by the Annenberg Center, found that only 38 percent of Americans know which party controls congress. This trend shines light on the population that continues to re elect their congressman/congresswoman, despite such poor performance. A 2016 Gallup poll found that congressional approval rating is at an all time low 11 percent, and yet a 96 percent incumbent reelection rate. There seems to be a population within America simply voting the incumbent to 'keep their way of life', believing in the idea that things could be much worse. This topic brings about the question of when a democracy begins to fail? Why do we allow people who are incredibly uninformed to vote for matters that greatly affect them? The truth of the matter is that we should not, and there is an easy fix.

These questions are not completely discussed without attempting a solution. The best way to solve each aspect of this long run issue is to enact Term limits for members of congress. Enacting Term limits of approximately 6 years in congress would drastically change how the country works. A CBS news report cites that in 15 states where congressional term limits have been brought to court over 66 percent of the population gathered in support. By setting a limit on how long congressmen can serve it would increase the amount of elections, and more importantly, engage the young voter. This idea begins to trickle down within the younger generation, not only increasing voter engagement, but also increasing the chance to become a member of congress. A continued supply of fresh political candidates and congressman will increase the flow of ideas, as well as publicity surrounding each election. This new way of electing political officials will transform our government, working at speeds far greater than the traffic jam that is our lawmaking body today. The younger voters, whom have always believed they are simply not important enough to affect the voting process, will now have a much higher say in politics. 

Things must change. We as a society have had an issue within the voting pubic since the beginning of voting, and that is that people just aren't voting  --  and those who are voting, are uninformed. The statistics tell the horrible truth that is our congressional approval ratings, at 11 percent, the lowest they've ever been, yet with incumbent reelection as high as ever. How can we continue to criticize and pick political parties when in fact less than half of eligible voters, and less than 20 percent of 18-29 year olds voted in the midterm election. The only true and real solution to this issue is enacting term limits. Term limits will increase the younger generations voter turnout, increase the information available to the public, and will motivate the public to eradicate the understood truth that it it is not a big deal to not vote. 

