The Importance of Voting

(Just a forewarning, this first paragraph is probably really confusing with all the parenthesis and differing rules that I am trying to briefly explain. I'm really sorry about this, but the regulations that are involved in the voting process are also confusing, so it is a tad hard to simplify an already complicated process. Just skip over it if it all becomes too much. Nevertheless, enjoy.)

In a little less than a week, my little town will be holding its local election. Generally (and I say generally because voting varies from town to town, county to county, state to state, etc.) most local elections (mayors, school board, etc.) are held on the first Tuesday of November (following the first Monday) in odd years (example the year 2015) with national and state elections (presidential, US Congress, state legislatures, etc.) held in the first Tuesday of November (following the first Monday) during even years. Although there are a lot more logistics to this (such as we do not vote for a new mayor every odd year, there are special elections that happen year round, primaries do not happen in November, etc.), this is simply a quick overview that will allow me to get to my most important point: you should really, really vote.

This is especially true in your local elections. A lot ton vast majority decent amount of people complain about the US Government and their respective elected officials. They say they're inefficient, they do not listen to our concerns, they're rich, they're greedy, they're entitled, etc., etc. I could seriously go on and on about the numerous times I have heard of people complaining about the president, congressmen, and so on and so forth, yet there is totally something they can do about it...VOTE.

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The United States has one of the lowest voter turnouts of any first world democratic country. Voter turnout usually hits around 50%-60% for presidential elections, 30%-40% for non presidential mid term elections (national/state elections happen every two years, but we only elect a president every four years so every other national election we vote in just US senators/representatives and State senators/representatives but no president), and local elections vary dramatically depending on how big of a city you live in but they average a 21% voter turnout.

Now if you think about this, a presidential election that rakes in a measly 60% voter turnout means that whoever wins at least half that amount will win the election. Theoretically, a person who only received the votes of 31% of registered voters could easily win if only 60% of registered voters come to do their civic duty of voting in the election.

Then when we look at local elections things get even more messy. If you really want your voice to be heard, you would vote in your local election. Because local elections involve a smaller pool of people, your sole vote can make all the more difference, and yet people don't show up.

Voter turnout is a public record, and I urge you to visit your local board of election's website to view how voter turnout ebbs and flows as the years progress. In our last municipal election in 2013, my county had a 15.78% voter turnout; it is truly sad to me that people care so little about the value of our democracy that they do not bother to do their research and vote.

In our world where not everyone has the opportunity and freedom to have their political concerns voiced and expressed, you would think that Americans would find a way to express their right that is a rarity in many parts of the world, but I digress.

Anyways. Have a fabulous day and of course, vote.