Our View

Why Should You Vote?

It’s election season again. And yes, it seems like it’s ALWAYS election season of some kind these days, but this one is a big one. Every four years, we as Americans have the right, the privilege, and some might even say the obligation to head to the polls and make our choice for President of the United States.

It all starts in the spring with the primaries.

This time around we the people are being asked to re-elect the current president Donald Trump or replace him with one of a half-dozen Democratic hopefuls. No matter which side of the political spectrum you fall on, it’s important to exercise your right to vote. Make your voice heard … it sounds like a cliche, but it’s true… “Every Vote Counts!”

The importance of voting can not be understated.

It’s important to remember that we’re not just electing a president. There are dozens of state, county and local races and issues that we as voters will be asked to decide on in the March primaries and in the November general election.

Voting is one of the most important rights and responsibilities that U.S. citizens have. About 150 million American citizens are qualified to vote.

Unfortunately, many don’t. They give up on a chance to choose leaders and representatives who will do things that are important to them.

Why Vote?

Nobody can force a citizen to vote. But many citizens do vote, because voting lets them tell the government what they want it to do. If citizens think they’re paying too many taxes, they can vote for a person who promises to lower taxes.

If citizens want more services, they can vote for someone who will promise to spend funds to gain more services.

It’s also important for citizens to know how to work the voting machines or to mark the ballots they’ll be using when they vote, so that their votes will be counted. Why is that so important?

Because every vote counts! An election might be decided by a single vote and history would be changed because a person got…or lost…that one vote!

Don’t believe us? Here are some important events in U.S. history that were decided by just a few votes: Richard Nixon, not John F. Kennedy, would have become President of the U.S. in 1960 if one person from each voting place had voted differently. If just one U.S. Senator had voted differently. U.S.

President Andrew Johnson would have been removed from office in 1867. Texas might not have become part of the United States in 1845 if one U.S. Senator had voted differently. The vote in the U.S. Senate was 27-25 to invite Texas to become a state. If it had been a tie, Texas would not have been asked to become part of the Union.

As recently as the 2000 presidential election, the results were very close. It all came down to the State of Florida. In the end, only about 300 votes made the difference.

You Can Make a Difference! Here’s how… Play a role in choosing our leaders and changing our laws by voting.

If you’re 18 or older, vote in every federal, state, and local election.

Learn about the candidates and issues before you vote in any election.

Know what’s going on in your country and community.

Write letters to public officials about issues that are important to you.

Remind everyone 18 and older to vote.

Respect your right to vote! It’s a privilege that many people in the world don’t have.