Today is midterm election day and
up until last night I wasn’t sure I was going to vote. I realized that aside
from the ads on TV I really had no idea what the candidates stood for which
meant I didn’t know who I should be voting for. Which was the lesser of two
evils: voting uninformed or not voting at all? I admit I was leaning towards
not voting at all since I knew my decision would affect policies for the next
two years. Then I was with my mom last night and I mentioned this to her and
she told me about this website vote411.org (which seems to be affiliated with
The League of Women Voters). I went there, put in my address, and it showed me
who was running in my district and the candidates responses to questions on the
issues. I was able to read a brief sentence about where the candidates stood
and then was able to make a decision on who I wanted to vote for. I wish I had
more time to delve deeper in to the issues, but at least I wasn’t heading to
the polls blind.
So this morning I had a nice short
walk to a nearby school to exercise my right to vote. There was no wait time
and as a bonus the PTA was holding a bake sale so I got a terrifically yummy
piece of Pumpkin Brownie Bundt Cake for breakfast. I left and on my walk home I
felt an enormous sense of pride at what I just did. This is not new, I feel
this every time I’m done voting. I think of the countries who fight for their
right to vote and the countries where the people have no say in their
government. I think of the women who fought right here in Rochester and Western
New York for the right for women to vote. And I realize how lucky I am to be
able to fill in that circle and cast a vote for my government leaders.
Now, I’m sure many of you are
reading this and giving all the excuses as to why you’re not voting. “I don’t
have time.” Polls opened at 6 am and close at 9 pm. There’s time. “Who will
watch my kids?” Take them with you and show them how cool it is to be American.
“I don’t know who to vote for.” Go to the website I mentioned. And in some
cases none of the candidates answered the questions so I just didn’t vote in
that category. “My vote doesn’t really matter.” It does. If every person who
thought that went out and voted think of how much more it would matter. “I’m
not registered.” Yeah, true I can’t help you out with that one, except to say
make sure you register so you’ll be ready in the next election. I’m pretty sure
you can do it online. “I don’t know where to go.” They should have sent you a
letter and if they didn’t I’m sure you can go online. In fact, I think
vote411.org actually has a link that will tell you where to vote.
Our system isn’t perfect, this is
true. But if the alternative is not having a voice at all then I don’t want
that. Maybe my candidates won’t win, but at least I tried. My vote was a voice
heard for the issues I believe in and stand behind (the environment, education,
and women’s rights in case you’re interested). And I would rather cast my vote
than sit back and complain about something I made no effort to fix. So if you’re
reading this and it’s still Tuesday November 4, 2014, if you’re registered
please go out and vote. It’s important.
