The 2004 election has seen the most voter registration since Nixon battled McGovern in 1972 thanks in part to media campaigns. Taking the initiative to “rock the vote,” deserves praise, but filling out a form while waiting to renew a driver’s license or completing a class assignment doesn’t make someone walk down the street to cast a ballot.

The United States boasts a working democracy, but national turnout numbers are pathetic compared to the rest of the world. Over 90 percent of Italy’s voting population comes out to pick their leader while less than half of American voters participate in presidential elections. Granted, the Italian government along with others like Argentina, Singapore and Egypt force their citizens to vote. In Australia, voter participation nearly doubled when they began fining citizens who objected to the process – conscientiously or not.

So what can the American government do to increase voter turnout?

Closing the bars on Election Day doesn’t seem to work. Mexico tried it, and their numbers are worse than in the States.

How about declaring the first Tuesday of every November a national holiday. It could be called Patriot Tuesday or Election Extravaganza and employers would be compelled to compensate workers for their civic duty. There would be a parade in every city, township and village celebrating the gift of democracy, and after all the returns were counted we could get back to working too hard.

One suggestion has been tossed around since the 2000 election debacle. The Electoral College could be scrapped for a majority vote. California would certainly benefit. George W. Bush might find it his best interest to visit San Francisco for the first time and John Kerry would make a better effort to boost his base.

We could reform the two-party system to include a greater diversity of voices, but with all the ridicule cast upon Nader voters, you can’t expect an individual to take a stance.

It’s time for young voters to stop relying on the efforts of media and non-profit organizations for motivation. The simple truth is that without your vote, the voices of the future will never be exemplified.