Why vote? Voting gives you the power to decide how the Federal, State and local government run
Elections have impact on all of us because they determine who sets the policies that shape our daily lives. An elected official’s decisions affect us directly, i.e., tax, minimum wage or healthcare policy, etc. Collectively, these decisions made by our elected officials determine the environment in which we live and do business.
Every eligible voter should want to decide whom they want making decisions on their behalf, yet a lot of us won’t cast a ballot during federal, state and local elections.
Voting is often referred to as our “civic duty” and speaks to the idea that we need to play a part in shaping our future. Voting is our chance to do something to benefit our society through the democratic process. Equally important is what we do to engage in the political process before and after elections.
Be a part of your own future by calling your senator, writing your city council member, or visiting your co-op’s board members. They’ll listen to your concern and value your feedback, and in the long run we will have elected officials doing the will of the people rather than what they think may be the will of the people.
“We do not have a government by a majority of the people, we have a government by a majority of the people who participate.” Thomas Jefferson
Get politicians working for you
Elected officials will sometimes look at voter turnout before making key policy decisions. If a certain demographic‘s turnout is high, elected officials are more likely to make policy that benefits that demographic to win their votes and retain their support.
Be a part of your own future by calling your federal and/or state senator, writing your city council member, or visiting your school board members. They will listen to your concern and value your feedback, and in the process, we will have elected officials doing the will of the people rather than what they think may be the will of the people.
Voting in you state and local elections
Remember, voting enables us to decide who we want to make decision on our behalf in state and local governments, too. State and local elections are just as important as federal elections. We must vote in every election be it federal, state or local government.
Many movements have campaigned to give the right to vote to all American citizens
America has seen a number of movement campaigns to spread voting rights over its history:
History of Voting Rights — MassVote
US Voting Rights — Infoplease
Voting Rights Act Major Dates in History — ACLU
Election Timeline – CivicEd
Why you should vote? “The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men.” Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th President of the United States