Your vote counts — so you’ve got to make it count! Here are five reasons why it’s important to take the time to vote in every election.
by Laura Bray, Deputy Chair, Kendall County Democratic Party
Reason #1: Your Vote Counts
In 2018, Texas ranked 44th for voter turnout. Texas isn’t a “red” state—it’s a “non-voting state.” Conservatives win because all of them always vote. Moderate and left-leaning voters think their vote doesn’t matter, and they stay home. “Nonvoters [are] putting their lives and futures in the hands of the people who probably don’t want them to vote.” (New York Times editorial, 3/10/2018) Get out there and vote! Your voice matters.
Reason #2: It’s easier than ever to find out about candidates and issues.
Nonvoters often claim, “But I don’t know about the candidates.” These days, there are more options than ever to easily research candidates (and issues) with non-partisan online resources. The best ones include BallotPedia and Vote411 (sponsored by the League of Women Voters).
Reason #3: You have plenty of opportunities to cast your ballot.
Can’t show up on Election Day? No worries. Most jurisdictions hold early voting in the two weeks prior to Election Day (some jurisdictions even have Saturday hours). If you qualify, you can even vote by mail. Find out more here. (If you don’t live in Kendall County, Google your county’s Elections site.)
Reason #4: Local Elections Matter.
National and state elections often draw all the press. But local elections are where the rubber really hits the road. Our local state senator (Donna Campbell) and state representative (Kyle Biedermann) have voted repeatedly to centralize control over all local matters with the State Legislature in Austin. That means our locally elected officials have less control over what happens in our neck of the woods. (And those local officials matter, too. Kendall County Commissioners—every one of them a Republican—recently denied pay raises to deputy sheriffs while—in the same court session—voted to give themselves a pay raise.)
Reason #5: One vote can decide an election.
A 2018 Kentucky House election was decided by one vote.
Learn more about how to register to vote here—and share with your friends! We’ve given you five reasons — now it’s up to you to make a plan, and take the time, to vote in every election!
