I have voted in at least 95% of the elections since I first voted in 1972. The only elections that I have missed were on the local or state level. I've never missed a national election. Most of the time, I have studied the candidates and questions on the ballot and know how I will cast my ballot, well before election day. And during the last few years I have relied on absentee and early voting more. But why do I make the effort to get to the polls? Why bother? Does my vote even count?
I vote because it is my right to vote. As a citizen of the United States of America I have the right to cast my vote for the candidate of my choice. I can say that I am a citizen, because my ancestors who built this country never got any of the benefits of citizenship. Sometimes my choice is the lesser of two evils. Sometimes my vote for one candidate is a vote against another candidate. And sometimes I stand with my choice and agree with them fully.
I vote because my ancestors fought and died for the right for me to vote. Yes, this is the old civil rights issue. My parents instilled in me the importance of the vote and talked about the poll taxes, and literacy tests that were used to suppress the votes of people who looked like me. They would be saddened by the fact that voter suppression still exists, but surprised that some of us are suppressing our own votes.
I vote because it is one way that I can express my approval, not of a candidate but of some of the things that I believe that they stand for. I have never been in 100% agreement with any candidate, but I'm not a one issue voter either. I look at the whole candidate and make my choice based on which more closely aligns with my wants and needs.
I vote because not voting is a vote for the candidate that I definitely don't want. I actually believe that my vote for my candidate cancels out the vote for the opposing candidate. If I don't vote, then I am choosing the candidate that I don't want. This doesn't make sense to you? That's okay. Your not voting doesn't make sense to me.
I am not giving my vote away to any party, I am choosing to not be the reason that the other party gets one more vote.
I am not seeking a party to save me. I am seeking a candidate who more closely aligns with my beliefs.
I am not playing into the hands of a political machine. I am choosing to throw a wrench into that machine that may pay off for me. Yes, the system was built against us from the start. But I believe that we can affect more change from the inside than from the outside.
At the end of the day, we are all going to do what we want to do; vote or not vote. I will vote, because I am a control freak. I want to make the choice for myself and not let someone else choose for me. I'm not going to set on the sidelines and complain. I am going to vote! And after I vote, I am going to continue to use my voice, my, gifts, my talents, and my skills to seek justice. That's what I'm doing!
So, what are you going to do?