Check out these reasons
We hear it before every major election: “Remember to vote.” We’re told “it’s our civic duty,” “It’s the right thing to do” and “We need to stop [fill in the blank] from winning.” Even so, 40 percent of eligible voters didn’t cast ballots in the 2016 general election. That’s in line with past elections. At Circle Voting, we have more compelling reasons to vote.
Here are a few:
I don’t like the candidates.
The truth is, your options are limited to the candidates on the ballot. By voting, you get to exercise your power by choosing the candidate that most closely matches your views. If you don’t vote, you let other people choose the victor. In other words: If you don’t voice your opinion, you let others speak for you.
My vote won’t matter.
People in the Women’s Movement and the Civil Rights Movement knew voting mattered. That’s why they, and so many others, have fought for the right for every person to vote. They’re not the only ones who know every vote matters. Under the guise of protecting the vote, Republicans have passed laws that make it harder for black and brown people to cast ballots. If voting didn’t matter, why would Republicans invest time and money to disenfranchise so many voters?
The system is rigged, pt 1
Each state uses a unique system to control its own election, where votes are counted at the county level -- and there are more than 3,100 counties in the U.S. To rig a national election, countless people would need to be in on the game. Given that the National Security Agency, the nation’s top intelligence agency, couldn’t hide it was spying on U.S. citizens, think how hard it would be for officials in 3,100 counties to hide a rigged election. It’d be nearly impossible.
The system is rigged, pt. 2:
As it stands now, the electoral system is problematic. But by voting, you have a chance to elect someone who can help change the system from the inside. Your vote may be only one step, but the only way to reach the mountain top is by taking one step and then another. Besides, your step, taken in tandem with others taking their own steps, makes the journey more enjoyable. And all those steps can lead to a giant leap.
Money controls politicians
Money wields such influences in politics because, at this point, there isn’t a force to counteract it. But one thing that can upend the power of money is the power of people. Passionate voters can shift the focus from money and corporations back to people. We can give voice to issues we see as important. By voting, by coming together and speaking truth to the moneyed interests, we can show that voters matter more than dollars.
My state’s not even close, so why bother?
The media is obsessed with the presidential race, but ballots also contain other races, state referendums and initiatives. Turnout for down-ballot candidates and issues matter. People involved in politics study election results, and if progressive-minded candidates have strong showings, it will be noticed. Those wins could have a serious impact on what seems possible for future elections.
It’s too much trouble to vote
Given recent efforts by Trump and Republicans to suppress voter turnout, this sentiment makes sense. But in 2019, the average person spent 144 minutes a day on social media Depending on your home state, registering and voting may take 60 minutes. If the winner’s political beliefs are in direct opposition to yours, you could spend a lot more time protesting that person’s policies -- which sounds like a whole lot of trouble.
I don’t want jury duty
It’s true: In the past, potential jurors were chosen from voting rolls. Today, that only happens in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee’s Eastern District and Western District. Everywhere else, states find potential jurors by merging multiple data sources, including voter registration rolls, driver’s license/state ID records and info on residents 18 and older. Chances are, if you’re old enough to vote, your name is probably on a jury-duty list.
For more , check out “The Most Common Myths About Voter Registration Debunked..”