Are you registered to vote? Do you vote? Does your vote matter? If you answered no to any of these questions, you are not alone. I am registered, but honestly, in the past, before last year’s presidential election, I thought my vote didn’t make a difference. Someone else’s ballot would inevitably cancel mine out, so why bother? Don’t get me wrong, I voted, but not in all races, and rarely in a local one. People used to consider casting their ballot to be an honor. Our right to vote didn’t happen overnight. When did the patriotism fade? When did it become okay not to participate?If you look at the history behind your right to vote, you will find it has not been an easy road. Initially, only white Protestant male property owners had that right. Through the blood, sweat, and perseverance of those before us, Amendments XV and XIX have solidified the right for a U.S. citizen to register and cast a ballot. Unfortunately, the battle continues. In 2008 certain states passed measures that make voting harder for some eligible voters. Stricter voter ID laws require a photo ID, and while this seems harmless, it is a huge deterrent to some demographics. Believe it or not, we don’t all have driver’s licenses or other forms of identification with our pictures on them.
The special election, in the Sixth District of Georgia, ended in a runoff between Jon Ossoff and Karen Handel. I initially became obsessed with the presidential election, trying to understand how Trump won the race. (Political Awakening) My interest in the voting process was re-ignited. How much thought or research occurs regarding the candidates or referendums before marking the ballot? If none and they vote, how do they decide? You might be surprised at the answers given.
Here are a few of the reasons I’ve heard:
Well, I know the previous incumbent was a doctor, so I thought we should have another doctor in office.
I kept passing her signs on the way to work, and when I got my ballot, I didn’t know any of the other names.
I thought he seemed much nicer than the other ones running.
I won’t vote for someone who committed a crime. I saw the commercials. She was a criminal. She just had enough money to pay her way out of it.
Granted these are not the norm, at least, I hope they aren’t. Citizens may vote a straight party ticket. Some people voted for Trump because they couldn’t stand Hillary or vice versa. How much should the likeability factor play into this? I don’t know that answer. Do the issues matter? Of course, they do. If you feel strongly about a specific issue, you may forego concern over all the other ones. If you are pro-life, you may have voted for Trump because Hillary supports Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood. This topic has long been a volatile one for both sides. In order to champion pro-life, you overlook the candidate’s views on gun rights, same-sex marriage, education, or immigration. You may be on board for same-sex marriage, or be against building a physical wall between us and Mexico, but pro-life tops it all, even if it means voting for a man so many found dreadful.
Voter turnout last November, was 59.7 percent of eligible voters. The 2008 presidential election captured around 62 percent. If people don’t like the candidates, they are refusing to go to the polls. People exercising their right to choose candidates to represent them has been on the decline overall. Shouldn’t this percentage increase over time? Why don’t they vote? I'll bet the number of people taking a survey on Facebook about which Steel Magnolias character they are most like, has a higher percentage than the presidential election.
One reason voters stay home, is the dominance of the two parties. My beliefs don’t fit neatly into a category. The more people I talk to these days, the more I realize others feel the same. So, what’s the point of voting for the Libertarian candidate, when you know it is a waste of time? A Democrat or Republican will win anyway. Another reason is the increasing difficulties of our registration process. The multi-facets of these excuses are minimally plausible. I wonder what Susan B. Anthony would think about them, especially for women, who have only held this right for a mere 97 years. In the blaze of history, this is barely a flicker in the ongoing flame to ensure civil rights for all. Yet, we are taking it for granted.
How dare we, as a country which advocates our freedom to the world, become the hypocritical nation stifling our own liberty at home? You could be in North Korea where voting is mandatory, and there is only one option. Is it too farfetched to think we could be in that position one day? If voter apathy continues, it may not be just another Hollywood movie script about the decline of the society as we know it. Remember Charlton Heston’s famous final scene in Planet of the Apes? “They blew it up! God, damn you! Damn you all to hell!” (If you’re too young to remember this, stream it. Ignore the cheesy ape masks and costuming, I promise it was cutting edge in 1968. Watch it for the political messages, and they are "aplenty".)
Another factor of whether to go to the polls or not is the negativity between the candidates and their respective parties. I am not proud to admit that in past races, fed up with the finger pointing, and trashing of each other, I chose not to vote. One reason I like Jon Ossoff is his positive campaign. I will be sorely disappointed if he deviates from that approach. Currently, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is airing attacks on Karen Handel. While she does not meet my requirements for a candidate, can't we run this race on merit and platform? The hypocrisy from both parties regarding money pouring in from outside the district, or state, burns me up. I want to know what they will do if elected. I could care less if Jon lives in the district, instead of few miles outside. I don’t care about Karen’s outdated hairdo or pantsuits (more irony, from the Dems this time, considering HRC’s attachment to the style.). What motivated you to enter the race? How do you plan to make Georgia and the Sixth District a better place to raise our children? Why should I vote for you? I’m tired of why I shouldn’t vote for someone. Jon has answered all those questions, just so you know.
Let’s cut to the nitty gritty. Voting is a right. It did not come easily to most of the citizens in this country. Registering to vote is a pain. However, not voting and ending up with Trump as the POTUS, is much more painful than that process could ever be. (IMHO) To those of you who think your voice doesn’t count—you could not be more wrong. Get out and vote. Imagine what could happen if the 40 percent no-shows added their voices to the mix. I say to women like me who have been silent, or deferred to a spouse, parent, or friends, stop it! Think for yourself. Read. Listen. Vote.
Voting is a privilege. Voting is a necessity. Voting should never be a question.
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