Secret Ballot Bill – Case Study

On March 7, 1891, in the California state assembly, there was a move to vote in a crucial Secret ballot bill. However, there was so much absenteeism so that members can shun away from voting it. The Australian secret ballot ensured the privacy of voters and fairness in voting. Due to many promises on the effectiveness of the secret ballot, the assemblymen would return on 9 March to approve the bill, and only three assemblymen voted against it.

Two days later, it would be presented in the upper chamber and on one of the senators would oppose it. The bill was passed and got a majority backing from various states. In the era, people regarded women as second-hand citizens, and in this, there were restrictions to vote. Unlike their husbands who worked for the family’s survival, they were left to stay at home and take care of the children and other home duties. Therefore, many believed and had assumptions that women have no responsibility whatsoever in the political affairs of the country at large. Also, most women that were married can only double their husbands vote for a particular candidate. Hence it was left for their husbands to exercise the right for them.

I do agree with the secret ballot in a way as it ensured the privacy of voters. The secret ballot is important as it made voters anonymous hence would not be victimized. Also, there was a slight chance for voters to be bribed by the elites being voted. The old system made party representatives pay votes to vote for their candidates and punish those who did not. Also, the old system was full of chaos, unlike the secret ballot. In this, voter’s card would be snatched from them and placed in the ballots not intended. The case study confirmed my stand on the issue of the secret ballots. In the overview, I believed the secret vote to be the ultimate and perfect definition of democracy.

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The case study provides several cases where the system prove useful. An examples is the bribery claims where unlike in the time of the “political machines,” no voter could be monitored and coerced or manipulated to vote. There was also an improvement in the way states conducted elections and in most of the states that adopted the secret ballot system, the polls were useful. Social media era would in a way increase a substantial amount of voter turnout. There is a significant audience in the social media platforms, and sensitization of people to vote would prove useful. Also, people are very selective in what they post or talk on the internet and the social media in general. People do not tend to publicize their political affiliations. By the case method, learning was smooth and efficient. The case study accompanied various scenarios that one can relate as the topic of democracy is concerned. In this, the case method is more interactive and ensures there is broad participation. The case method provides relevant evidence and concepts hence I found it enjoying.

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