I believe I can speak for Bella (she’s napping at the moment), when I say this :
We have never understood why citizens of the United States choose not to vote. We are fortunate to live in a participatory democracy, at least for the time being, and that good fortune comes with some responsibilities. Perhaps the most important of those responsibilities is to research the issues and the candidates running during each election cycle and then VOTE. That’s why every campaign has a rigorous “Get Out To Vote” (GOTV) effort, so if you’ve been getting lots of emails, texts and phone calls in the last few weeks and are bombarded today, it only means that each campaign wants each eligible person to vote. Why? Because they know that your vote and every vote counts.
If per chance you have not yet registered to vote and believe all is lost, remember that twenty-two states and Washington D.C. have same day registration and voting. You still have plenty of time!
And here’s a more sobering statistic: In the presidential election of 2020, at least 80 million U.S. citizens who were otherwise eligible to vote, did not. NPR produced a detailed, statistic-driven piece shortly after the 2020 election that should infuriate you. Let me provide the reasons why, according to their surveys, those 80 million otherwise eligible voters chose not to vote:
“Nonvoters' reasons for not voting include:
not being registered to vote (29%)
not being interested in politics (23%)
not liking the candidates (20%)
a feeling their vote wouldn't have made a difference (16%)
being undecided on whom to vote for (10%)
They are disengaged, disaffected and don't believe politics can make a difference in their lives. They are also more likely to be Latino, younger, make less money and have lower levels of education than voters.”
Recognize anyone you know and love? Voting is one major way we can affect change in our country, and with any luck and enough power, reverse the cruel cycle of inequality and poverty in the United States, the richest country on earth.
Let me make one last plea for you to exercise the most sacred right we have in this country…
GET OUT AND VOTE!
Bella and I would love to hear your thoughts in the Comment Section below! Have you voted or not, and why?
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There's Still Time...