“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, so ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” — Preamble of the Constitution
The Constitution was written in 1787 and ratified in 1788 by the people, for the people. The Constitution is the highest written form of law in the country. As a United States citizen, you must follow the law, and in turn the people are given their constitutional rights.
Voting is the simplest and arguably the most important way to have your voice heard. Local elections happen more often than presidential elections and can affect a person more directly. Protesting and calling representatives are amazing ways to share your thoughts on a matter, but to me, it starts in the ballot box.
When you don’t participate in voting, you are showing that your voice doesn’t matter, and you don’t care how the country runs. The 2020 presidential election had the highest voter turnout from the past couple of decades. The problem is that roughly 40% of eligible voters don’t vote.
Fundamentally, voting gives the people the ability to choose someone they believe will represent and be good for the country or area that the governmental official is overseeing. The right to vote starts at a local level, voting for your city council, the governor and at all levels of state and federal government. Complaining about the state of the country, how the government is acting or underhandedly taking rights away, when you have never shown up to vote is hypocritical.
Voting in every election matters. When you turn up to vote it shows, and it also shows when you don’t. If you are only using the right to vote during the presidential election, you aren’t involved with how the government is running.
Being able to vote helps keep the check and balances in place. People vote for the president, Senate and House of Representatives, all of which are designed to keep each other in check. When one branch pushes the fundamental framework of the Constitution, the courts are supposed to step in and make sure that the structure and law stay intact. If the branch of government will not follow the court rulings, then nothing is stopping the president or Congress from overstepping any amendment or constitutional right a citizen has.
I started voting the year I turned 18 years old, and was surprised other families didn’t take voting seriously. I have met people from college who have never voted at all. I grew up in a house where talking about politics was never frowned on. My parents always made voting and creating my own opinions about candidates a big deal, way before I could even vote. It’s one of the reasons why I take voting very seriously.
The best way to be involved is to register to vote. This can be done online, by mail in some states or in person at a local election office. Every state is different regarding the needed documentation to register. However, in most cases, a driver’s license or state ID will work.
The website usa.gov is a fantastic resource to gather all the information needed to know how to register by any state. On the home page, scroll to the bottom and click the box titled voting and elections. This page is filled with information on registering to vote, state and local election offices, congressional, state and local elections.
Perhaps people don’t vote because they don’t see a point. They think that one vote doesn’t matter, or they hate how only two parties win anyway. My answer is simple: on average, 40% of people who could vote don’t; your one vote matters and adds up. Only around 60% of people who do vote are getting their opinion heard. If you want to see change in the government, then you have to vote. Vote and tell your representatives what you want to see done.
You should be registered to vote, especially those between the ages of 18-30 years old. This group of people are the ones entering the workforce and will be living in this country for years to come. Make your voice heard.
If you think the government can’t take your rights away, pick up a history book because they have, they will and they already are. If you only start caring after they have stripped you of your right to vote, then it’ll be too late.
“First they came for the Communist / And I did not speak out / Because I was not a Communist / Then they came for the Socialist / And I did not speak out / Because I was not a Socialist / Then they came for the trade unionist / And I did not speak out / Because I was not a trade unionist / Then they came for the Jews / And I did not speak out / Because I was not a Jew / Then they came for me / And there was no one left / To speak out for me” — “First They Came” by Pastor Martin Niemöller
