It is the season for presidential elections and you have until November to vote for your favorite/best presidential candidate. Before you can vote, you first have to register. The registration process tends to discourage potential voters and cause less voter participation in elections. I am here to tell you: “Do not get discouraged because your vote matters!”
1. It is a Privilege
When you turn 16, you have the right to drive legally. Whether you realize it or not, driving is a privilege. Being able to vote is also a special privilege. If you are 17.5 or 18 years old, you are eligible to register to vote. Just as your driving rights can be removed, so can your voting rights. In some states, if you are a convicted felon, you cannot retain your voting rights. By this statement alone, you should be grateful that you have the opportunity to vote. Some people wish they would have taken the advantage of this opportunity. The next few points will explain the privilege and significance of your vote.
2. Voter restriction laws have been passed
This is an issue that I feel a lot of people (particularly the youth) are not informed of. One of the most known voter restriction laws are those restricting early voting. A federal court ruled that a Texas voter identification law was unconstitutional and discriminated against minorities. Some states have transportation for churchgoers to go to the polls early to vote on the Sunday before Election Day. The Texas state legislation made a law preventing such acts. Various voter restriction laws have been introduced, passed and prohibited, discouraging voters and limiting their rights. Being able to vote is your constitutional right and should not be taken away or limited.
3. Gives you a voice
All of us have different political views and opinions. Are you for the Republican or Democratic Party? What do you think about our president, senators, the justice system, etc.? These questions and plenty others can be answered through our votes. By speaking and voting on these issues, this causes interests in perspective and discouraged voters. A lot of people want to have a voice on local, state and federal issues. Some want to have a silent voice. Others want a known voice that everybody can relate and listen to. By letting people know that they have a voice and can act by voting (showing them that their vote counts), voter participation will increase.
4. Voting Rights Act
To this day, we still fight for equal voting rights for everybody. People have been threatened, thrown in jail, beaten and even killed to achieve equality in voting for everybody. Somebody has suffered and paid their dues for you to be able to register to vote. It is our turn to take advantage of this opportunity, make sure everybody has equal voting rights and pass it down to the next generation.
Not everybody will understand or realize the significance of voting, but through informing individuals on their voting rights and privileges and importance of voting, more people will be able to understand the importance of submitting a voting ballot. Your Vote Matters! The question is, “are you awake?”
