As an introduction, I would like to quote Thomas Jefferson (3rd US President, 1743-1846): “the rational and peaceable instrument of reform, the suffrage of the people” (Family Guardian Fellowship, 2006). The right of suffrage is being exercised by means of election and the free will to vote (Kurland & Lerner, 2000). We may now realize that Thomas Jefferson addresses the right of suffrage with three fundamental rationales as a civic duty, right and privilege.
The importance of voting as a civic duty may correlate the envisioning of family welfare reflective of a progressive community and the prosperous way of life in society. This envisioning may only be achieved by having the right to choose a government for the people, by means of elections or by voting national leaders, hopefully retaining the interest of the majority of the population.
Thus, the effects of civic duty and having the right to establishing a government or national leadership extends the freedom or privilege to participate in the governance, wherein participatory democracy is provided by the State. The democratic participation or interaction of people and government secures the State’s political and economic stability, and supplant the socio-religious-cultural barriers with harmonization of national identity. The importance of voting is the essential obligation of every citizen for the “franchise” of governance and stewardship of the Constitution inherent from our forebears.
Thus, Thomas Jefferson may further emphasize on the rational and peaceable instrument of reform; to vote means caring of family and community, to believe in people empowerment, to preserve the patrimony of a nation and persevered in pursuance of democratic processes.
References Family Guardians Fellowship (2006). ‘Quotes on the Importance of Voting’. Retrieved 30 June 2008 from http://famguardian. org/Subjects/LawAndGovt/Articles/ImportVoting. htm. Kurland, P. B. and Lerner, R. (2000). ‘The Founders’ Constitution’. The University of Chicago Press, Vol. 1, Chapter 16, Document 26. Retrieved 30 Ju