The ways in which value can be assigned are infinite. A simple materialistic approach would be to determine the amount of money it would take to cause one to vote a particular way. In some cases it might be the amount of money to cause someone to simply cast a vote. That’s a present day value.
Another means of value assignment would include all that has occurred in order to secure one’s right to vote. That cost would include intellectual property, defense spending, and life. Our founding fathers first declared our independence, and then some lost their lives defending that declaration. The survivors spent an incredible amount of time, treasure, and talent creating our constitution.
One other consideration might be to consider what those in other countries might give to be able to freely cast a vote as we do here in America. Determining a vote value is next to impossible but the fact that a vote is of considerable value isn’t debatable.
A vote is clearly more valuable than say a: driver’s license, credit card, opening a bank account, boarding a plane, or the long list of things for which an ID is required. Yet, the movement to require voter ID is shrouded in controversy. One argument is that ID requirement disenfranchises minorities. That word disenfranchise is fodder for its own blog.
Georgia has had voter ID laws for several years and recently enacted photo ID legislation. What is the voter registration experience in this most restrictive and disenfranchising state? Since the passage of voter ID laws, minority voter turnout has increased. From the 2004 to 2008, the Black and Latino vote increased 42% and 140% respectively. Certainly President Obama’s run for office contributed to the increase in minority registration, but with an increase such as Georgia experienced, it’s difficult to use the disenfranchisement argument.
The constitutionality of the Obama Health Care law will most likely depend upon a single vote. Consider the impact of that single vote. Again, what is the value of a vote?
