Dear Anti-voter,
You have to vote. I know you have reasons for not wanting to vote, but I also know there are more beneficial reasons for why you should vote. Voting gives you a way to express your voice, and understand people who can’t vote wish they could.
Remember, you don’t just have to vote for the two candidates. You can write in a name. Yes! Magazine: 5 Reasons to Vote Even When You Hate Everything on the Ballot, “In 1992, Ross Perot won nearly 19 percent of the popular vote running as an independent candidate. That was nearly 20 million votes — plenty, but not enough to win an election”(2/5). Although Ross didn’t get elected, people were still satisfied that they got a chance to express their opinions. Also, their efforts weren’t in vain. The republicans observed that they lost the election because the votes for Ross had a significant effect on the votes for their candidate. The meaning behind why we have the democratic process is to allow all members of our community to express opinions on who controls our lives.
I’m not great at making decisions, and I understand where you’re coming from. However, I’ve learned that if you don’t make decisions there are always consequences. Other people will have to make decisions for you which usually ends poorly. Furthermore, your decisions help determine your future and the world’s future. One time, I went to protest for dolphins and orcas being killed for food in Japan because I am especially passionate about animals and their rights. When we got there, I started thinking that after many personal and educational experiences, compared to how many people protest about other injustices in our world, the amount of people who protest for animal rights is less. Animal rights are important, but my protesting won’t make a huge difference. Animals will still be abused and killed, so what’s the point? After some conversations, I quickly realized that of course it’s impossible for all animals to get their rights as soon as I want them to, but we can only take little steps at a time. If we all join together, meaning every person does their part we can and will achieve our goal. In society, everyone is expected to contribute because the people are the foundation of the community. Together, they determine what becomes of their society. Even the smallest contributions are important, and though slowly, they do effect change.
There are 3 rules required to be eligible to vote. They all are somewhat unfair, but I am despise the rule that you can’t be a felon. The New Jim Crow, written by Michelle Alexander states that, “Drake’s vote, along with the votes of millions of other people labeled felons, might have made a real difference in 2004. There is no doubt that votes would have changed things in 2000… ‘People aren’t even trying to get their vote back,’ she said. ‘It’s hard just getting them to attempt to register. They’re terrorized. They’re so scared of going back to jail that they won’t even try it.’ … ‘I have no right to vote on the school referendums that… will affect my children. I have no right to vote on how my taxes is going to be spent or used, which I have to pay whether I’m a felon or not, you know? So basically I’ve lost all voice or control over my government… I get mad because I can’t say anything because I don’t have a voice’ (160-161). It’s unfair, that just because people are felons they are stripped of their voting rights, sometimes for the rest of their lives. They already paid their debt in jail, so why should they have to do anything else to get their voting rights back? Voting is a benefit, so understand that there are many people who want to vote, but they can’t. By choosing not to vote, you are not respecting them.
The ability to vote is an extraordinary privilege, so take advantage of it. Don’t hold back! Contribute to society by speaking your voice, and I know it will make a difference!
Sincerely,
Sophie