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Speak Out
The Path to the Presidency: Why is it important to vote?
Every year, many students like you turn 18 and cast their first ballot on Election Day, fulfilling the most basic action in a democratic society. Sadly, these students are in the minority, as the greater part of Americans age 18 to 22 do not vote, squandering their chance to have their voices heard.
Voting is a fundamental process that keeps our system of government working. Through elections, citizens have the ability to decide on who represents them in government, be it a local official, a state or national representative, or the president.
On Election Day, voters will not only be able to select their representatives in government for the next term, but they also often have the ability to decide on measures like bond issues that grant the government permission to borrow money for construction projects and other developments. And sometimes voters cast their ballots on social issues such as defining the bounds of civil unions or banning smoking in restaurants and bars.
But before you head to the polls, you will probably have to register to vote. Reading up on the issues, the candidates, and researching the ballot is also the responsibility of the citizen voter and a responsibility that should not be taken lightly, because it is your voice, with the many others, in unison, that can change the direction of a community, state, nation, and even the world.
Registering to Vote
In all states, in order to vote, a person must register. Each state, though, has different rules and deadlines for voting. To register to vote, go to the federal Election Assistance Commission and find out the voter registration deadline for the next election in your area, then find out where to register. In most cases, you must be registered 30 to 60 days before an election, although some states allow registration at the Election Day polls. Additionally, many states allow you to register to vote online. Check out the website of The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan voting education and advocacy organization, which has additional information to assist you in registering to vote.
When you register to vote, you are asked to supply identifying information, such as your name and address. However, you are also asked to select a party affiliation. Party affiliation can range from the two major parties - Democrat and Republican – to minor parties like Libertarian and Green. If you pick a party you will be allowed to vote in the primary elections for that particular party and that party only. If you do not wish to declare a party affiliation, you can leave that question blank or mark “Independent.” Voters with no party affiliation, under most circumstances, do not vote in party primary elections. The only exceptions to this can be found in states that allow voters to choose which party they will vote for in what are called “open primaries.”
Registering to vote might seem like a cumbersome and unnecessary step in the voting process, but the registration process allows the local election board (the government body that oversees elections and makes sure they are fair and free from corruption) to run an election smoothly and accurately. Without registering to vote, voter fraud and ballot stuffing might be easier.
Reasons, Excuses, and Why Voting Is Important
Given the importance of elections in the United States, why would so many people choose not to vote? Why do some refuse to participate in elections when the officials and issues voted on have such strong influence on nearly every aspect of their lives?
Many argue that their vote really doesn’t count. Some say that they don’t know enough about the issues and think they shouldn’t vote. Others still say that they do not know where or how to vote or how to register.
What do you think of these excuses and how would you respond to family or friends that used them? With a government elected by its citizens and that effects every aspect of our lives from schools to health care to homeland security, voting is an important right in our society. By voting, you are making your voice heard and registering your opinion on how you think the government should operate. Enough voices in unison can elect someone to office, reaffirm or even change the course of our government.
To find out more about the elections in your area, read your local newspaper starting a few months before the election to see the local coverage of the race. Most candidates also have websites which detail their ideas and goals for the office. To find out where to vote, you can contact your local board of elections and they will tell you where to go to vote. You can also visit vote411.org, a voting information site created by the League of Women Voters.
What do you think?
Why is it important to vote? What would you say to your peers or family members to convince them to vote? Do you think you would be interested in volunteering at your local precinct? Have you already voted in an election? If so, what was your experience like? Join the discussion and let us know what you think!
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