People hear about how “it’s our duty to vote,” especially the closer an election gets; yet, most people don’t understand the real importance of voting.
Out of the vast number of people who are 18 and older who have already registered to vote, the number of people who actually take the time to do so is astonishingly small. With the general election approaching on November 7, some have already placed their votes through absentee ballots, but there are still others who will vote in person the day of the election. More so, there are some who will choose not to exercise their right to vote at all under the delusion that their vote will not make a difference.
Voting makes a much larger difference than some think it does, and it definitely allows the voter to have a say in how things are run and what decisions are made. The following are just a few reasons why it is important to get out and vote:
- It’s your right. People have died defending the right for you to vote.
- If you don’t vote, someone else will, and they may not think the same way you do. You have no room to complain if the other person’s choice wins and isn’t the outcome you wanted when you didn’t bother to make your voice known at the polls to begin with.
- You’re choosing the people who will represent you and your interests in whatever office they are to uphold. You should want to have a say in who is making decisions and policies that will directly impact your life in the long run.
- The people elected can have an impact on the safety of the community. You should want to vote and pick people who you know will use their position to benefit the safety of the community. Depending on the position, it could relate to any of these: uphold the law, be fair and by the law in a courtroom setting, make ordinances or other decisions that could have an immediate effect on the safety of the community.
- Some of the positions that are being voted on have a direct impact on how tax dollars are being spent. Your vote could make a difference in things like road and bridge repairs and how funds are spent in different areas.
That one little vote may not seem like much, but when it is combined with others who think and desire the same thing, it makes a huge difference. Not going out to vote and thinking that everything will just work out is like playing governmental Russian roulette, and it doesn’t always turn out the way the individual who chose not to vote hoped it would.
Of course, it is important to look at each of the candidates before going to the polls. Make sure you agree with their views and plans for when they take office. Look at their background and ask questions to ensure that they are the best candidate for the position. Once you find exactly what you are looking for in a candidate, make it known at the polls by voting.
A vote isn’t just another number; it makes a difference and is important.
