Vote: it’s your right
Whether it’s the race for the United States Senate or a local contest, there’s something on Tuesday’s ballot that will impact virtually all voters at some point writes staff reporter Madeline Aronson.
November 6, 2018
You’ve probably heard it quite a few times recently, but everyone over 18 should go vote. It’s November 6, 2018 midterm Election Day, and in Texas, this is an election for the history books. This year is the first time since 1988 that a Democrat has come this close to their Republican opponent in a Senate race, but that is not the only important election you should participate in.
There are so many spots up to the vote, and each one impacts everyone in the state in some way. The race for the Texas Commissioner of Agriculture affects our food and water supply, the Presiding Judge of the Criminal Court of Appeals affects how crime is handled in you area, and the senator creates laws for your state that you and your family have to live with and abide by. If you want to be happy with the way your state is being run, make your voice heard at this year’s election.
I’ve also heard people say that “their vote doesn’t count,” and this is completely untrue. While one vote isn’t likely to decide the election, the mentality that one person can’t make change is hurting society more than anything. If everyone thought that, thn no one would vote. We are fortunate enough to live in a society where we have the right to participate in our government, and to exercise that helps citizens work toward what will help them best. If a large portion of people don’t vote, then the elected is a poor reflection of the needs and goals of the people as a whole.
And even further, not voting is a plain disregard for the work that people have done to get their lives to get their voting rights recognized. Historically, only white land-owning men had been able to participate in the government, even when the constitution gives voting rights to all citizens. Women, racial minorities, and the lower class put blood, sweat, and tears into pushing for their right to vote, and to skip the election is a disrespect to their life’s work, and a disrespect to democracy as a whole.
It doesn’t take much time, any money, or cause people any major inconvenience at all to go to the polls. Just a little research on candidates, and a trip to the voting box and you have become a contributing and heard member of society. It’s the easiest thing to start change, especially if all you have to do is make choices on a ballot.
