I want to propose the policy that individuals should have to pass a simple IQ test before voting for any candidates. This will eliminate low-functioning and emotionally driven voters and allow higher level intellectuals to vote for candidates.
Ever test is designed for IQs passed 100. Every test changes every election. These tests can be completed in five or maybe ten minutes and are a requirment to proceed to vote for a candidates.
Do you think this is a good or bad idea and why?
This proposal wouldn’t pass Constitutional muster, as this is just another form of a Poll Tax, which was outlawed in the 24th Amendment:
The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.
This Amendment was then codified into law in Section 10 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
SEC. 10. (a) The Congress finds that the requirement of the payment of a poll tax as a precondition to voting (i) precludes persons of limited means from voting or imposes unreasonable financial hardship upon such persons as a precondition to their exercise of the franchise, (ii) does not bear a reasonable relationship to any legitimate State interest in the conduct of elections, and (iii) in some areas has the purpose or effect of denying persons the right to vote because of race or color. Upon the basis of these findings, Congress declares that the constitutional right of citizens to vote is denied or abridged in some areas by the requirement of the payment of a poll tax as a precondition to voting.
Yes, this specifically calls out payments, but those payments were specifically designed to deny minorities the right to vote, and thus even a “test” of any sort to deny any voter from voting would likely be blocked.
It’s not a payment, it’s just a regular test. I can see how it would interfere with the idea the right for everyone to vote, but I still have to ask the question in case this is something we should consider changing.
I think it is bad idea. IQ only tests for 1-2 types of intelligence, which do not correlate to understanding the job of being a citizen. It would better to teach people civics to make better voters. It’s amazing how poorly many members of Congress understand the Constitution or how people actually live.
Teaching civics is a very good idea, perhaps people can have a class before the time comes to vote. If they pass the test, they can get a voting card or voting registration. The issue then becomes how do busy people have time for it.
For starters we need to have a civics course, preferably multiple courses throughout K-12. Make it a mandatory course for college even for foreign exchange students. Then work through the various media outlets, think School House Rock type ads or mini shows. Advertising. Links to Hillsdale College free online courses. I am not sure how you would set up qualifying people as you want though.
Congress and bureaucrats should be required to go through the Constitution and Bill of Rights annually to get paid.
Agreed