COLUMN: Voting necessary for democracy
Don’t like what’s going on in Iraq? Vote. Disagree with Logan City policies? Vote. Think the Utah education requirements are a little off? Vote.
Vote. There’s no simpler way to tell you what I think on the subject. Vote, just do it. It will be one of the most important things you ever do.
I know come this time of year there is a lot of harping on the voting subject. TV sitcoms, letters to the editor, pamphlets handed out on campus – the whole shebang, everyone begging, pleading and commanding you to get up off your rump and poke holes in a piece of paper on Nov. 7.
I understand the desperation. Voting is how we run the country, and in America, we believe everyone should have a part in running the country. We call it democracy, and it’s an idea we are currently trying to spread around the world.
What we don’t realize is democracy is not without its problems. For example, once you give the people the right to vote, how do you get them to do it? And what happens when they don’t?
I’ll tell you what happens. A lower percentage of people at the polls means the minority of people are calling the shots for the majority of citizens – a situation that may not seem a big deal unless the minority votes don’t happen to agree with non-voters on the issues.
But by then, what can be done? Not much. Those that don’t vote have no right to complain about how things are run.
The question I have is, why? Why are citizens not voting?
I’ve heard the normal excuses, and I get it. Voting does take some time away from other things. It’s probably an hour or so at the polls, depending where you live, punching in your opinions. But that’s not a big deal. One hour every couple years for the good of the country.
Truthfully, I think the biggest problem comes because voters don’t feel informed, and I get that, too. Being informed is hard and more time-consuming than anything.
I remember the hours I spent last presidential election, reading about every piece of literature I could find on Kerry and Bush’s platform issues. It took forever, and I’m still not sure if I was more confused or informed when I cast my vote.
But I tried, and sometimes that’s the best you can do. Being informed doesn’t mean you have to understand everything perfectly. I think it means making the best choice you can from the things you do understand.
Being informed is important, but don’t let it keep you from the polls. America needs to know what you think. Do your best. Cast your vote.
Mikaylie Kartchner is a senior majoring in journalism. Comments can be sent to mikayliek@cc.usu.edu.