Reasons You Shouldn't Vote In The 2016 Election | The Odyssey Online
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Politics

Reasons You Shouldn't Vote In The 2016 Election

There are none.

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Reasons You Shouldn't Vote In The 2016 Election
Huffington Post

There are none.

But there are a few reasons why, despite the two imbeciles we have narrowed ourselves down to, you should.

1. You're not just voting for the President.

Unless you live under a rock, you have heard of the importance of the 4 Supreme Court justices whom the next president will elect. This is arguably the most lasting impact of any United States president because you are not just voting for four years, you are essentially voting for 30. If you can't find yourself supporting either president, try to think about the fact that you're supporting the people who will be making important government decisions for potentially the rest of your life.

2. A Democracy doesn't represent the people if the people are not voting.

The whole point of our government is that it is supposed to represent the people. Sure, it's a representative democracy, but how do our elected officials know how to represent us if no one is voting? It is very easy to sit around and make a list of the ways that you would do things differently if you were in charge but guess what? You're not. But, you do have a say in it. However if you do not vote then you have no room to talk about the problems in our government when you didn't contribute to the decision. No one likes a hypocrite.

3. Yes, your (1) vote does indeed count.

I have heard this excuse countless times. "Why does it matter whether I vote or not? I don't like either candidate anyways. It's just one vote". Wrong. For so many reasons. Let me break this down for you. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, based on the 2012 Presidential Election there were 218,959,000 Americans eligible to vote based on age. Approximately 146,311,000 actually registered to vote. However, only 126,144,000 actually voted.

Additionally, there are right at about 20,000 cities in America. They range in population from 1 person in Buford, Wyoming to 8,176,000 in New York City. Let's just, for arguments sake, pretend that each city in America held the same amount of eligible voters. This would mean that there would be approximately 10,948 eligible voters per city. If only 100 people per city decided not to vote, then that would be 2 million Americans whose voices were not represented. That is 2 million votes that could certainly change the outcome of an election. Still think your 1 vote doesn't count?

4. Your children can't vote.

If you can't seem to vote for your own benefit, then think about the fact that you are voting for your children. As stated before, this election will likely have a much longer lasting impact than the previous ones. Whoever is elected into office will be making decisions that will greatly effect the future of your children. You are their only voice.

5. To honor the 2,852,648 United States citizens who have given up their lives to protect the Constitution which allows you the right to vote.

Your vote determines how our 1,369,532 active service members are utilized and honors those who have fallen to given you that opportunity. Our military protects us, but who protects them?


At this point, I don't really care who you vote for. I can appreciate your opinion whether you agree with mine or not as long as you are voting for what you truly believe in. But what I cannot appreciate is someone with no opinion. Vote for Trump, Hillary, Johnson, or you third grade teacher for that matter. Just vote. Your future, and mine, depends on it.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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