Why should you vote and why you should not not vote? Because voting is a magnificent right, privilege, and responsibility of each U.S. citizen over the age of 18.
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| Credit: Variety |
Voting is a right, and one that was hard-fought for some of us. The U.S. Constitution did not originally have language about who was eligible to vote. States were left to determine voting rights. And it was generally white male property owners who had the right to vote with a few exceptions (female property owners were able to vote in NJ until 1807; a few states allowed freed slaves to vote; some jurisdictions allowed non-white voters provided they were property owners). By 1856, white men who didn't own property were able to vote.
It wasn't until 1870 -- nearly 100 years after the birth of our country -- that non-whites were allowed to vote, when the 15th Amendment was passed. The 15th Amendment reads, "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." Of course, this wasn't functional by any means, as black people were disenfranchised using many methods (poll taxes, literacy tests, intimidation, etc). It wasn't until much later, when the Civil Rights movement rose up and the Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965, that black people were more able to vote. Many people were harmed during the fight that gave rise to the Voting Rights Act. It was hard fought.
Women achieved the right to vote when the Suffragettes fought for passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, 46 days after the birth of my mother, and 144 years, one month, and 14 days after the birth of our nation.
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| Thank you, Suffragettes! Cartoon by Tim Eagan |
Eighteen-year-olds didn't win the right to vote until 1971, when the 26th Amendment was passed. Citizens were going to war in Vietnam at age 18, yet they weren't allowed to vote. The 26th Amendment changed that.
Do not let our forebearers' struggles be in vain! Respect their struggle and VOTE!
Voting is a privilege. Though the American system is extremely powerful, disenfranchisement tactics and voter suppression are happening right now. The power to vote was hard-fought, but for many, the fight continues. Not one of us should take that privilege for granted!
Even today, 241 years after this brilliant experiment in a new kind of government began, there is still a struggle for the rights of the people to vote! Many people will have a lot of trouble making their voices heard on November 6, 2018. And that's just not right.
There are reports of Voter Registration purges in multiple jurisdictions, most notably in Georgia and in Ohio. Voter intimidation, especially toward the black community, continues to be a problem, for example in Georgia and in North Carolina. There are voter identification requirements keeping the poor and disadvantaged away from the polls. And we should all be concerned and outraged that the Native Americans in North Dakota, who live on reservations and don't have street addresses, have suddenly been told they can't vote unless they have a street address. That is not right. Period. If here is just one vote suppressed, we have a problem.
Voting is a responsibility. It's one of the biggest responsibilities we have as citizens. We the People are handed the power to choose the people who serve us in our government. It's a huge responsibility to assess and choose the citizens who will do our bidding and do the Right Thing. And to do the Right Thing for the oppressed, for the still-disenfranchised, and for the next generation. We have a responsibility to them to make the world a better place for them.
Voting is Power. Do you want to give your power away??
President Obama filmed this charming video disarming many excuses about not voting.
And why should you not not vote? Well, would you have someone else choose your menu for you every day for the next two years? You craving a steak? Nope, it's gluten-free, vegan broccoli buns for you! Wanting a nice slice of watermelon on Independence Day? Nope. That day is Thirsty Thursday! Only beer, all day. (Ok, maybe that wouldn't be so bad!) Don't give your power away. Just don't. Don't not vote!!
But the one overwhelming reason you should vote in these midterms is because we have an illegitimately chosen, lying, bullying, misogynistic, xenophobic, Fascist "President" in cahoots with a hostile foreign power and who has pissed off our allies, who is actively working to oppress and and harm every group of Americans other than the richest of the rich, and whose party, in majority power, doesn't call him on his shit. Our wise Founding Fathers, in order to create a more perfect union, created a brilliant system of checks and balances that is wayyyyy off the rails. We must flip at least one body of Congress so that a modicum of checks and balances can be restored before more damage is done.
As a side note, I never bought into the argument, "If you don't vote, you don't have the right to complain." Yes, you do. Whether you vote or not, you have Rights of Free Speech and Freedom of Assembly to complain as much as you want about your government. And that is powerful. But it's more powerful to take the reins, exercise your right to vote, and have a DIRECT impact on the course of our nation. How great is that? It's government of the people, for the people, by the people. But only if the people get involved.
Need another reason to get involved? I'll let comedian Nato Green outline it for you:
"Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting." -- Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Please, please, take your right, your privilege, and your responsibility to the polls! There's only two weeks left before Election Day! Some of you can go now! Or mail your ballot in today! Me, I love the trip to the polling place on Election Day, with my loved ones, taking the pen in hand and marking that lovely, powerful ballot. To me, it's like Christmas. And I get a sticker!
Spread the word that Uber is providing free rides to the polls, and Lyft is offering reduced fares. Offer a ride to a neighbor. Talk about the issues and the candidates; get people excited!
This group of Massachusetts thinkers brainstormed ways to increase voter participation. It was sobering that more people skipped voting than the number who voted for the winner of the 2016 Presidential election! I love their idea of making Election Day a holiday and really making it special!
And don't stop at casting your vote. After Election Day, I implore you: Stay involved! Pay attention! Read (more than just the headline!). Keep in contact with the Members of Congress who are working for YOU and make sure they work in YOUR best interest. I point you to a previous post, in which I give resources for finding and communicating with your Members of Congress. Make them do your bidding!
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