Voting is an issue that has plagued our country since we established our democratic voting system. What is the motivation to vote? Why should someone take time out of his day to cast a vote? I know many people may see it as a waste of time or that their vote doesn’t matter – their vote a mere drop in an ocean of votes. Now, obviously, the motivation of an individual differs from one person to another but the main cause should remain constant between all Americans, right?
When I was growing up, watching my parents and other loved ones vote, I often questioned what the point and power was of a single vote. What difference could once citizen make? It took me a long time to finally have a moment of clarity and understand the importance of casting a vote. Perhaps my single vote will not make a huge impact, and perhaps the candidate I vote for will not win. However, now that I am voting age, I have found that maybe it’s not so much about voting for president itself, but more for us as a country.
For the nation, it is a way to express our democratic right to vote. It is a way to respect those who have fought for our freedom to vote and a way to respect our Constitution. By casting a vote, it is a way for us to give our respect to the 15th, 19th, 23rd, 24th and 26th amendments and to those who fought to make it a constitutional privilege. Voting not only shows our thanks to those who had previously sacrificed so that we may be able to have the right to vote but keeps our most democratic right alive to keep our country of “we the people.”
Molly Whitbey
Bayfield
