Should you vote?

“The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men.” –Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th President of the United States

Get politicians working in your favor.

Regardless of whether or not they like to admit it, politicians will often look at the turnout of voters before they make certain policy decisions. If the turnout of one demographic is higher than another, politicians will be more likely to make decisions that cater to that demographic over those that didn’t support him/her. In other words, politicians will support the people who support them.

Voting gives you the power to decide how the country is run.

All too often, people become a voice for the disengaged by sitting at home on election day. We live in a great country where we are given the chance to choose our own leaders! Citizens in other countries can’t always say the same for themselves so we should take advantage of the opportunities placed before us as citizens of the United States of America.

Many movements have campaigned to give the right to vote to more people.

Voting is a fundamental right; that means the opportunity to vote is freely given. However, if you don’t use your rights, they’re taken away. If you ask me, not exercising your right to vote is disrespectful towards those who sacrifice so much so you could have that right. It took nearly 100 years for suffragists to win the fight and work towards the 19th amendment that declared women should have the same rights as men.

Nobody cares about things that involve you more than you.

People often vote with other groups in mind, elderly, unemployed, etc. But voters rarely vote with college students in mind. Student loan rates, educational standards and admissions policies are issues currently on the ballot, and there aren’t any other people more qualified to vote on these issues than those who are currently experiencing implications of said issues.

Voting gives you the power to have a voice. By participating, you can make the system better. It may never be perfect but improvement is possible.