Joni Mitchell, a Canadian singer-song-writer, coined the phrase, “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone,” in 1970, and it couldn’t be more true for Americans when it comes to voting this fall. Though some might think that there’s no point in voting this election because of our choice in candidates, that is still no excuse. Regardless of which candidate you’re supporting (or even not supporting), it’s your duty and right to get out and vote.
You might think your vote doesn’t matter, but it does. You might be a Democrat in Wyoming, or a Republican in Vermont, but your vote still matters. I promise.
Millions of Americans struggled for your right to vote. Our Founding Fathers fought for it in the 1700s, women fought for it in the 1900s, and hell, really until Lyndon B. Johnson passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, many African Americans had a difficult time even registering to vote. So, don’t take this right for granted, as there are thousands of people in the world who want to have a say in how their government is run and can’t. So why wouldn’t you participate when you can?
You might not feel like your voice is heard, but it is. You have an opinion on the issues. Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton represent the options for important issues in the United States such as women’s rights, immigration and education.To be blunt, the only way for either Clinton or Trump to get those issues off the ground and improving is if you express your opinion through voting.
Regardless of whether you choose to vote or not, a new president will take office this fall. Look, Bernie Sanders was great, he was, and I definitely felt the Bern, but he isn’t a viable option anymore. You have two, solid choices in candidates: Trump or Clinton. You can feel that neither of them is worth voting for and decide not to, but your blatant disregard for your amazing right to help lead this country isn’t going to change that on Nov. 8. Whether you like our options or not, you’re going to have one of them as a president. So you have to ask yourself, who do you want more? I’m not going to tell you who to vote for, but every vote that you don’t give to Clinton, or you don’t give to Trump is going towards the other candidate. Listen to President Obama’s advice and “Don’t boo; vote!” Seriously. Head to the polls when the time comes.
If that isn’t a good enough reason for you, think of it this way: it’s not just the president who matters on the ballot, as he future of the Supreme Court depends on whomever gets voted into office, too. Since Antonin Scalia died, a new spot is open and ready to be filled. Not only that: three of our Supreme Court justices are above the age of 75, so the new president will more than likely choose three new justices. The new members of the Supreme Court and the values that come with them will greatly effect the next generation.
On top of that, 88 percent of Congress is up for election. Important ballot issues like healthcare, terrorism and education are on the table as well. Helping choose the future leader of this country isn’t the only important topic up for discussion; please remember that this fall.
Don’t say you haven’t seen people around campus encouraging you to vote. We have all been lowkey harassed by the voter registration people. However, they aren’t doing it to annoy you. They are doing it to remind you of the importance of casting your vote. Talking to them isn’t the only way to register to vote. Other ways include going to your local clerk’s office and registering online. Through the Center for Community Engagement & Learning at DU you can even learn about registering to become more a part of this country. So go vote.
