I once had a college professor who told the class, “If you haven’t done your homework, get out of my classroom.” The idea was that unprepared students hindered the ability of prepared students to make academic progress.
The Constitution establishes the right of citizens to vote with no educational requirements. With a few exceptions, such as restrictions on convicted felons in some states, you get to vote even if you cannot name your congressperson, identify the three branches of government, or even recite at least three rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.
Democracy demands that we respect that provision in the Constitution, but we are forgiven if recent elections prompt us to wonder if it’s still a good idea. Thomas Jefferson is credited with saying, “An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.” He was suggesting that democracy doesn’t work if citizens don’t get educated on issues and candidates before exercising their right to vote.
Dare I say it, many of us could do a much better job of preparing to vote. I will also say that if more voters “got educated” before voting, election outcomes would change.
I am firmly against any new requirements or restrictions on voting. The risk of a modern form of a literacy test being used to disenfranchise one group of voters or another is too great. We are better off not opening that Pandora’s Box.
But that should not stop us from encouraging everyone to use their vote wisely. Right now, the country is a divided mess with upcoming elections threatening to send election deniers and unqualified candidates into office. Think about Dan Cox, the Republican candidate for governor, Hershel Walker, a semi-literate candidate for Senate in Georgia, and, of course, our own Andy Harris, who was at the infamous December 19, 2020, White House meeting that helped set the stage for the January 6 insurrection.
We need voters who are better informed, and I do not just mean Republicans. We need voters better able to sift through campaign lies and who understand enough about the issues to make better decisions. Deciding for whom to vote should be based on more than celebrity endorsements or clever campaign ads. Voters also need more information about the character of candidates running.
I would like to see more in-depth candidate interviews. The recent Avalon Foundation-Spy Talbot County Council Community Town Hall is a good example of an event that not only was educational in its discussion of issues, but also provided an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate civility, knowledge of the County and its challenges, and their ability to communicate with voters.
I would also like to see more objective scrutiny of candidates. This means candidate endorsements by newspapers and organizations. One recent example in Talbot County is the “Reset Lakeside” campaign that has identified candidates who want to stop Lakeside development because sewer issues were not properly resolved. A non-profit group of community members identified candidates—Democrats and Republicans—who are committed to “vote right” on the issue. That is helpful.
Educated voters, whom I will call “well-qualified voters,” are those who seek information on candidates, follow the news sufficiently to make informed assessments as to what our problems and challenges are, and know how to spot lies when they are told. Well-qualified voters also talk to their friends and neighbors to exchange information, encourage everyone to vote, and call out nonsense when they see it.
Election day is almost here. The future of the country may depend on whether people vote and how those votes are cast. Thomas Jefferson wanted us all to be well-qualified voters. I aspire to be one. I hope you do too.
J.E. Dean is a retired attorney and public affairs consultant writing on politics, government, and other subjects.
Susan Andrews says
An issue is the selection of the candidates in the primaries when the opposing party campaigns for the weakest candidate to run against (i.e. Democrats campaigning for Cox in the primary since he could easily be defeated). An open primary might help to solve that issue. Maryland would be wise to pursue an open primary format.
John Dean says
Thank you for your comment. I agree. It was wrong for the Democrats to contribute to Cox. The state would have benefitted by having a better Republican candidate, even if, as expected, Moore wins.
Thank you for reading the piece. I appreciate it.
Matt LaMotte says
Not much more need be said! Thank you, J.E. Dean!!
John Dean says
Thank you for your kind comment and for reading the piece.
Harriett Page says
Your vote does matter—
“IF you don’t want a government that will do nothing to protect your child from a troubled teenager with an assault rifle–vote!
“IF you don’t want a government that can force you to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term–vote!
“IF you don’t want a government that can deny you contraceptives–vote!
“IF you don’t want a government that can tell you with whom you can make love and whom you can marry–vote!
“IF you don’t want a government that can ignore the people’s voice at the polling place–vote!
“IF you don’t want a government that will do nothing about rising temperatures and the danger they pose to all of us–vote!”
an excerpt from The New York Review of Books
article by Mark Danner
submitted by Harriett Page, Easton
John Dean says
Thank you for this comment–Voting matters, educated voting matters more.
Deirdre LaMotte says
And I would add the Democrats are looking after the American worker with pro-worker policies.
the last time Republicans were pro-worker was when Lincoln freed the slaves.
Barbara Denton says
Dan Cox is an excellent candidate for Governor. His pursuit of election integrity is well grounded and eventually the truth will come out about how the Democrats in 5 crucial states stole the election. Herschel Walker is genuine. He did not beat his wife and try to cover up child abuse at a camp he was running while a pastor in Baltimore. Andy Harris was invited to a meeting at the White House with a President who is in the same party that he is in. No one was planning an insurrection. January 6th was not an insurrection. This will be another Democratic lie which will be debunked when the Republicans take over Congress. You may be surprised how well informed many voters are. We are well informed enough to know that voting for any Democrat for any office is voting for the destruction of Country.
John Dean says
Thanks for reading my piece. As you may be able to tell from my previous columns, I am on a different page.