Why I vote
Photo: myJon via creative commons, some rights reserved.
When I was younger, I was an occasional voter–and almost always voted for a third or fourth or tenth party candidate. My way of rebelling against the powers that be.
I still seem to have opinions that are a bit outside the mainstream but, with rare exception, I vote.
Here’s why:
1. I can. I have met too many people through the years–mostly from other countries but even African Americans back in the ’60s–who could not vote. People gave their lives for the right to vote.
2. I like to complain about politicians and government. Voting gives me griping rights.
3. I like being part of my community. Like basketball games at the local school, voting at my polling place puts me in touch with others in my town who are long-time residents.
4. I love the polling place ladies. These are the (usually) middle-aged or older women (mostly) who sign you in and walk you through the year’s ballot.
5. I don’t want to be a hypocrite. Throughout his childhood, my son heard from me about voting as the essential tool of the citizen in a democracy. Beginning when he was four or five, I schlepped him to the voting booth so he would yearn for the day when he could mark his own ballot.
So, back at you:
Why do you vote?
If you don’t vote, why not?
I’m cynical about voting. I think the two major parties are both controlled by corporation cash, the media blacklists smaller parties and many voters won’t even consider these other options. But I vote anyways until I can find a better way to effectuate change. Still, when I look at my ballot and see 7 elected offices and 6 of them are running unopposed (and the other one bans candidates by law from saying anything of substance), it’s easy to see why others don’t bother. And it’s not always because they’re lazy or don’t care.
I vote because it is not only a right and a responsibility, but a privilidge.
I, too, observed the disparity in rights for people of a heritage different than mine not that many years ago.
Yes, I agree our system is not perfect, that politicians often leave much to be desired but, today, especially today, seeing THREE…yes THREE women running for public office in Canton gave me great joy! The North Country as a progressive place to live. I like that. And I suspect other folks do or will as well.
Brian–I resist the cynicism as best I can. Local elections are a good place to make a difference, and the candidates are generally regular people like you and me…not corporate stooges. I also have a personal policy about unopposed candidates, even the ones I like: I won’t vote for them. It’s not an election if there aren’t at least 2 candidates for a given office.