Voting: Why You Should & Why Some Don’t Want You To

Photo by Glen Carrie on Unsplash

“To make it hard, to make it difficult almost impossible for people to cast a vote is not in keeping with the democratic process.” “The vote is precious. It’s almost sacred, so go out and vote like you never voted before.”

~ John Lewis

Every election cycle, ad campaigns focused on getting people to vote tout the importance of getting to the polls on Election Day. Politicians encourage their supporters at campaign rallies, in email messages, on social media, and through robocalls to get out to vote in the primary and general elections. It can seem as though everyone is engaged in the process and encouraged to exercise their right to vote.

Voting is our civic responsibility and the main way we get to make our voices heard and influence public policy. The idea of one citizen, one vote is central to the practice of representative government. As citizens, we vote for those who will represent our interests on local municipal boards and councils, in state legislatures, in Congress, and in the White House. In turn, they are supposed to act in the best interests, and according to the wishes, of their constituents.

Fighting for Voting Rights

Although many of us take our right to vote for granted, activists fought long and hard to secure voting…