Class is now in session. It's time to talk about the ins and outs of election day. On Tuesday, November 6, 2018, hangs the balance of the house and senate as it is time to re-elect or elect new members of Congress to represent our nation's voice. Voting is one of the most crucial rights to our democratic society. Today, class, we will discuss why you need to show up to the polls and debunk myths that hold people back from voting.
You CAN make a difference!
You don't like something that's happening in our social and political world? CHANGE IT! How? GO VOTE! Often people feel hopeless like they can not make a difference but that is why we vote. Your vote does matter. We vote for representatives to make the change that we want to see. So yeah if you don't like that you need to get yourself to the polls.
If you can put it on Facebook, go to the polls!
Yeah, me too, Dwight. This is basically everyone's reaction to the current political climate whether you are left or right everyone is frustrated at everything. We can not begin to fix this situation until everyone's voice is heard and the only way to do so is to go out to vote. Don't just sit behind a computer screen and rant about everything you hate without even going out to vote.
Make yourself aware.
Never have this face again when people talk about what is going on in our government today. Voting and being politically aware forces you to be conscious of what is happening. For those of us who do not stay up to date with what is happening in our world election season at least gives us the reminder to make ourselves aware even if it is just for this time period. It is however very important to stay up to date with the laws and bills being passed through our state legislature as well as federal.
You can not complain if you do not go vote.
If you ever find yourself screaming this at the news ask yourself did you vote last year. No? Then be quiet. Because you can not complain about what is going on it you did not step up to fix the problem. Many believe that it makes no sense to vote for someone to vote for your but it does. Many also believe their vote does not count. I am sad to say it does a lot, and your silence counts as well when you don't show up to the polls.
The process is quick and simple.
It takes no time to go out to the polls to vote and do your civic duty. Many act like they do not have time to participate in this one simple task. Regardless of your polling place, it does not take long to drive there vote and then continue about your day being proud that you at least did your part. Especially on campus JMU students only have to go to the convention center to vote.
Silence will not spark change.
The worst thing you can do is be silent. You are abandoning a right that took as many as four amendments for some to even have. Regardless of your political stance, it is important to our political democracy to go out and do your civic duty. The worst thing is to sit at home and act like it doesn't affect you. Because it does.
This concludes our class lesson. Remember to show up to your local poll on November 6, 2018!
