One difficulty encountered by the citizen who wishes to vote intelligently is the large number of persons to be chosen.  There have been cases where the names of several hundred candidates appeared on the same ticket.  In a small community a voter may know personally all the candidates, but in larger communities this is not so.  It was once thought that to make as many of the government offices as possible elective was a step in the direction of democracy, and that it gave the people direct control over them.  But it has not worked out this way.  It is impossible for the average voter to choose wisely among so many candidates, and he therefore falls an easy prey to “boss rule.”  The short ballot is now quite generally advocated to meet this situation.  By this plan the number of officers to be elected is reduced, and includes only those who are responsible for determining the policies of government, such as members of legislatures and the chief executive officers.  These few important officers and representatives are then made responsible for the appointment of all other subordinate officers whose business is to carry policies into effect.  This really gives the people better control over their government by fixing responsibility in a few places, and is therefore no less democratic than the older plan.

Do you have a long ballot or a short ballot in your county or town?  In your state?

How many offices in your county government are elective?  How many of the men holding these offices do you know?  Consult your parents as to the number of these officers they know personally.  How many does your teacher know?

At the next election, get a copy of the ballot used in your community and ascertain the number of candidates for all offices, including local, state, and national.

What national political parties exist at present?

Are the voters of your local community divided into parties on local questions?  If so, what are some of these questions?

Investigate the organization in your county (or town) of the political party of which your father is a member.  Who is chairman of its local committee?

Investigate the work that a party organization does in your community during an election campaign; on election day; in the time between elections.

Why is secret control over government dangerous?

What is meant by “social unrest”?

Are all men of your acquaintance equally capable of directing the affairs Of government in office?  Why?

What is meant by “responsible” and “irresponsible” leadership?

What does it mean to say that a leader must be “responsive as well as responsible” to the people?

THE SECRET BALLOT