By Hannah Tuckett
As election day is approaching quickly, early voting is already taking place across the country. Some people have voted in person, some are in the process of sending in or dropping off their absentee ballots, and some are getting ready for in-person voting. 2020 has proven to be a year unlike anything we have ever experienced, and that is why voting has been deemed more crucial than ever before.
In the 2016 election it was estimated that around four in every 10 Americans did not vote; that’s roughly 100 million Americans! Roughly 43 percent of eligible voters didn’t bother filling out a ballot in the last election, so this year we are all working hard to get everyone out to the polling booths. Many Americans don’t vote because they believe that their one vote among millions won’t make a difference, but this mindset is the core of the problem. While one singular vote may not directly elect the president, each one undoubtedly matters when it comes to electoral results.
Almost every citizen over the age of 18 has the power to change our nation, and while you may think the result of the election won’t affect you personally, you have to think of the people who will be affected. Our community and our nation are depending on you to vote! Not very long ago, only white men were allowed to vote in this country. Women, people of color, and other minorities weren’t permitted voting rights, so it’s important to not take for granted our freedoms that past generations have fought so hard for.
In the fight against inequality in our country, voting serves as a platform for people to voice their opinions and elect leaders and officials. The current administration has cut back on protections, and initiated detrimental measures further marginalizing minorities such as immigrants, LGBTQ+ community, people of color and those who follow different faiths. In this upcoming election we have the power to create change, to shape what policies we want, and to decide what the future holds for us.
2020 is definitely a tricky year to vote with social distancing regulations and an increase in the turnout of voters, so the polling booth lines will be very long. Many are voting by mail, but not all states are equipped to deal with the millions of absentee ballots that are flooding the postal service.
While the circumstances may seem discouraging, we need to maintain the mindset that the freedom to vote is America’s most important political right.
Op-ed submitted from Dr. W’s current events class.
Presentation created by Ethan Dwyer in Dr. W’s current events class.
