Ten Reasons to Vote

Post date: Aug 21, 2018 2:49:40 AM

Did you know that Pew reports that fewer than 50 percent of eligible voters cast a vote in the midterm elections, and fewer than 60 percent vote in Presidential elections? We need to step it up! Most developed countries around the world do better! In a survey, the United States came in at 26th place out of 32 countries for percentages of voters who participated in elections.

So, do you need a reason to vote--other than the fact that you are a citizen and it is your right and responsibility?

Here are ten reasons to vote.

1. Vote to support public education in your community and state.

2. Vote to make sure your voice is heard. Don’t assume, “I don’t need to vote—other people will make sure that we support our schools, take care of veterans, the elderly, and the mentally ill, etc.

3. Vote to make our country a better one. President Lyndon Johnson once said, “The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men.”

4. Vote to advocate for change, because communities with higher percentages of voters get more attention from elected officials.

5. Vote for those people who cannot vote. Children and teens under 18 can’t vote but depend on us to look out for them and their futures.

6. Vote to make your voice heard on an issue or candidate, because every vote counts!

7. Vote to send a message. More people voting sends a stronger message that we want new policies or people in office.

8. Vote because of what’s at stake in the next election: a specific issue, a specific race, a specific candidate, or an important ballot measure.

9. Vote to make sure that we continue to have free and fair elections, civil rights, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and protection of private property. Don’t take freedom for granted.

10. Vote like your future depends on it! Remember, elections are sometimes decided by fewer than 100 votes.

However, you can’t vote if you aren’t registered!

Am I registered to vote? Not sure? Search with this easy to use form.

https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/regtovote/search.aspx

Have you moved in the last two years or gotten married? Have you updated your Voter Registration with your new address and/or name change?

If not, go to http://www.vote411.org/register#.W0PgDtJKhPY

Find the form at the Black Hawk County Election office website,

https://www.co.black-hawk.ia.us/206/Voter-Registration

Find the form at the State of Iowa Elections link,

https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/voterregistration.html

Sources

"Reasons to Register and Vote."

https://www.nonprofitvote.org/documents/2015/07/reasons-register-vote.pdf/

"U. S. trails most developed countries in voter turnout," by Drew DeSilver. May 21, 2018.

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/05/21/u-s-voter-turnout-trails-most-developed-countries/

"Voting Rights." https://www.lwv.org/voting-rights

Last updated July 15, 2018