One of the goals of this page is to encourage wise and responsible citizenship. I hope that we find value in practicing common sense citizenship as a part of everyday life. We look around and wonder if that goal has “left the station.” Let’s look at a few items that Americans are dealing with and decide what the common sense (and, of course, the constitutional) thing is to do.
Virginia voters of one party will be choosing their nominees for Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General at a drive-thru convention. It is legal in VA to choose nominees using this method. Opponents contend that this is a way to protect establishment candidates. Proponents say that a drive-thru convention is a way to protect people from Covid-19. If this was the case in your state, what would you, as a voter, do? What would be some options?
In another scenario, I came across a picture of young students’ desks surrounded by plexiglass dividers. Imagine 15-20 desks surrounded by clear plexiglass. If these dividers are employed, students would be socially distanced and wearing masks. Is it better for students to return to school in any way possible? Or are dividers detrimental to a student’s ability to concentrate? How would you apply common sense to this situation?
Here’s another one for you. Should you have a legal obligation to vote? If some in Connecticut legislature have their way, Proposed Bill No. 180, aka Universal Civic Duty Voting, would become law. Here is a portion of this proposed bill:
“That title 9 of the general statutes be amended to provide that (1) at the 2024 state election and each state election thereafter, all qualified electors shall either cast a ballot or provide a valid reason for not casting a ballot..”
“Electors,” in this case, are citizens of legal age in Connecticut. According to the proposed legislation, if a Connecticut citizen does not vote, they must give a valid reason. As I understand it, the Secretary of State would decide if your reason is valid. If your reason is deemed invalid, you would receive a fine of $20.
If we have the freedom to vote, should we also have the freedom to choose not to vote? Should we be compelled to vote, or else have the state track us down and fine us?
What do you think? Join the discussion on Facebook at Common Sense Civics and Citizenship, if you would like. We’d love to hear from you.
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