With the US Presidential Election mere hours away, millions of Americans are bracing for another turbulent outcome. November 5 promises to bring an incredibly tight election that will undoubtedly upset much of the country no matter who emerges victorious. Early voting has been well underway in many states, and many other Americans are eagerly anticipating Election Day, where they can cast their ballots for their preferred candidate.
However, millions of Americans will not go to the polls on November 5. As in every election cycle, a considerable portion of the electorate chooses not to partake in the election process, either through indifference to politics, struggling to choose between two candidates or a dislike for all available options. The point of this article is not to convince anyone to vote a certain way, but simply to convince people to cast any vote.
One of the defining characteristics of a democracy is the ability of ordinary citizens to participate in fair and free elections to elect politicians and policymakers. However, this cannot occur if nobody votes. The common argument against voting is that “my vote won’t make a difference” since millions of others also vote. There is some logic to this; even in small local elections, the result is rarely determined by a single vote. However, if enough people have that mentality, only those with a vested interest in politics or the future of the republic would vote. The point of democracy is to have all eligible citizens vote, not just political enthusiasts. Everybody deserves, and has a voice, so why not use it?
A common facet of political conversation is complaining about policy, inaction, and scandals. That is all justified and is an essential part of political discourse; but if someone takes the energy to complain, they could instead use that energy to create change, by actively and wisely voting for candidates and policies. Instead of complaining only amongst each other, complain at the ballot box, and use your complaints to do your part to help make a real difference. Voting helps institute the change people complain about.
Millions of people choose not to vote or participate in politics simply because it does not interest them. Maybe the proposed policies do not apply to them, or solve problems that don’t affect them. But regardless of whether you vote or not, you and your fellow citizens will have to face the world where either one of those candidates will be in power, regardless of how the election pans out. Not voting out of contempt for the candidates is a weak argument and a refusal to accept the reality that either candidate would be in power after election day.
Especially in recent elections in 2016, 2020, and now 2024, undecided voters sometimes choose not to vote entirely, due to undesirable characteristics of the candidates or their policies. For this reason, it is vital that one take a close examination of the temperament and track record of each candidate, and evaluate them accordingly. Simply watching pundits or ads on TV won’t provide the whole unbiased picture, hence the importance of actively conducting independent research. Most of the candidates have their policies and proposals outlined on their campaign websites, as well as their history on certain issues.
Especially in recent elections, politicians and campaigns frequently encourage voters to cast their ballots in November as it is “the most important election in our history”. However, any election can be the most important in our history depending on who gets elected and the policies that result. Citizens should feel an obligation to elect their leaders and representatives through the means available to them, regardless of how important they feel the election is. If nobody votes, how can a democracy function, much less move forward? Those who are elected have their responsibility to craft sound policies to benefit and improve the lives of their fellow citizens, but it is the responsibility of the citizens to determine who will be placed in those positions to make policies on their behalf. It is the responsibility of citizens to decide the future of their country, and hold their leaders accountable when they feel dissatisfied by them and their politics.
It is better for a nation that every eligible citizen has their voice heard at the ballot box than for any specific candidate to emerge victorious. A more sound democracy exists when everyone, not just partisan and fanatical supporters of either side, determines the direction of their country’s future. On the eve of this momentous election, if you still have yet to make your decision or are hesitant towards voting on Tuesday, take the petitions presented in this article into consideration. Know what choices are on the ballot, make an informed decision between the options, and make that decision heard at the polls. As with any election, you have the opportunity to influence the future of our American republic. Once the date hits November 5 and the polls begin to open, take this opportunity to exercise one of our most cherished rights, and play your essential role in shaping the future path of the United States.
A high school senior, he is fascinated by politics and aims to help get more people informed and involved in civics and politics. Additionally, he is very passionate about aviation and aspires to be a commercial airline pilot in the future. On Election Day, Justin will be working the polls in New Jersey’s competitive 7th district.
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