According
to The Economist Intelligence Unit's 2013 report on democracy throughout the
world, only 15% of countries have full democracy and 33% of countries are
controlled by authoritarian governments.
So why are citizens of the United States, one of the most democratic nations
in the entire world, not voting? In the
2012 U.S. presidential election, only 57.5% of eligible citizens voted. The percentage is even lower for local
elections, which is unfortunate since the results of local elections have a
more direct impact. For example, only
15% of Wake County voters turned out for the 2013 mayoral elections. Compare this number to the 74.6% of Wake
County voters in the presidential election in 2012. These are disturbing statistics, especially
during a time when many people are fighting for their right for representation.
On
Sunday, September 28, Hong Kong police officers used violent force to break up
a group of citizens and students protesting Hong Kong’s lack of democratic
elections. Many of the protestors were
hurt and faced extreme consequences for their actions, but cared so much about
their right to vote that they were willing to face any punishment. Meanwhile,
millions of U.S. citizens take their right to vote for granted. Huge chunks of our population only gained
their right to vote within the past 100 years.
Women gained their suffrage in 1920, and African Americans truly gained
the right to vote in 1965 with the passing of the Voting Rights Act. Now, many people don’t bother to show up to voting
booths despite early Americans working tirelessly to set foot in one.
Apathetic
attitudes keep a huge number of Americans from casting their vote. People implying that citizens shouldn’t
partake in voting is negative for younger voters. While you may feel indifferent to the
candidates, doing research on the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates
can help you make a decision.
There
is also a common sentiment that one vote doesn’t make much of a difference. However, your vote can make a
difference. When multiple people have
this feeling and don’t vote, it seriously impacts elections. Votes add up, and each and every one has a
great value. Take, for example, the
presidential election of 2000. On
Election Day, the margin of victory in the state of Florida was in the
hundreds. It was so close that the
government called for a recount and couldn’t decide who had won. At one time, it was around 300 votes. The candidate that received Florida’s electoral
votes would win the election and become the president of the United
States. Imagine how much those votes
counted. If more people had voted it
could have changed the course of our country’s history. This is why Americans should never feel
insignificant when it comes to their political voice. Getting out to vote on Election Day, even if
it is inconvenient, is essential.
