Although this question is academic, what it really boils down to is the choice of whether it is better to have citizens who are ignorant or citizens who are apathetic.
Ignorant voters may not be aware of the candidates’ campaigns in detail, or of the strengths and weaknesses of each party’s arguments, but at least they have some desire to take an active role in their government. If they didn’t, then they wouldn’t be going out to vote. To put it simply, apathetic citizens just don’t care at all and doing nothing about the affairs of our nation is a waste of the freedoms we are granted in the United States. I would most definitely favor having voters who may lack formal knowledge in the political arena but show an interest in the business of our state, than citizens who demonstrate no desire to be involved whatsoever.
In addition, I value the importance of citizens contributing to the society in which they live. Even if they are voting ignorantly, they are nevertheless engaging themselves in the democratic process. Citizens need to feel that their voice is being heard and know they have a vote.
Lastly, it is highly unrealistic for anyone to be completely uninformed; everyone has some knowledge of something. Even if they are voting based on shallow reasons, (which happens with voters, ignorant or not) at least they are participating in the democratic system our country prides itself on. Thus, they are fulfilling the role of an active citizen, which is the core of our democracy.
Therefore, the question whether it is “better to have an uninformed vote than no vote at all” cannot be answered in such terms. Rather, it comes down to whether we want our citizens to be active participants, regardless of their potential lack of knowledge, or completely uninterested in the business of our government.
Democracy is the strength of our nation and my vote is that everyone needs to be a part of it.
I agree with your argument that every citizen (in the United States) has the right to cast a vote and should exercise that freedom. The idea of an "uninformed" voter is indeed a relative thought, and I think it would be very difficult for one to claim that a voter is completely uneducated in every regard. Most participants in government will base their vote on something (even if this is as simple as party affiliation), which is certainly better than not voting at all. Based on the founding principles of our nation, I concur with the idea that it is not so much about voting or not voting based on education level, but more about voting based on level of civil awareness and want to participate in one's government.
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