Why Voting Is Important | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Why Voting Is Important

Think about these things before deciding not to vote.

39
Why Voting Is Important
FairVote

There are many people in today’s society who don’t want to vote. Whether it be because they don’t care, or they think it doesn’t matter- they don’t go out to the polls. However, I happen to believe that voting is very important. You may think your vote doesn’t matter, but it does. There have been times in this election when Bernie Sanders lost by half a percent — meaning if more people had voted, he may have won. It may seem like the media has already declared a winner in some respects, but there is a way you can change that. Vote.

And I don’t understand people who “don’t care.” Because they do. I was talking to a woman who was legitimately thinking about moving to Canada if Trump won the Presidency. I told her to vote so that maybe that wouldn’t have to happen, and she responded that she didn’t care and wasn’t in to politics. So, you care enough that you would move, but not enough to vote? There is a reason that minorities in the past fought for the right to vote: it was because they wanted their voice heard, and they wanted a say in their country. And this is still an important thing today. Everyone deserves the chance to decide who they want to run the country, or help run it.

If you actually don’t care at all, then try to take a step back. Think about the Muslim children who are fearing for their lives because of Trump’s comments. Think about your aunt with the small business. If you don’t care, then what about them? Surely you want to vote for a candidate who will help these people you care about.

As for not caring about politics, I can see why people wouldn’t want to vote because of that. It’s scary to make a decision that you aren’t really sure about or aren’t informed enough about. However, there are several resources for you to become more educated and make the proper decision. I know that a lot of people just don’t like politics, but sadly, you kind of have to. We’ll be stuck with one of the five candidates for four years, and they’re going to change a lot, so I really recommend learning all you can and voting.

Voting can be stressful, and it can certainly cause heated debates in your family. However, it is an important process that all Americans should take part in. I think if you don’t vote, but you complain about the candidate chosen, then that really isn’t fair. You had your chance to make your opinion heard, but you didn’t take that chance. And posting statuses on Facebook doesn’t count. You have to actually go to the polls and make sure you get your voice heard. Weather your voice “actually matters” or not is another debate that I don’t want to discuss here. But, in my opinion, voting really helps. One vote can be powerful, and it can have an effect that you could have never thought.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Gilmore Girls
Hypable

In honor of Mother’s Day, I have been thinking of all the things my mom does for my family and me. Although I couldn’t write nearly all of them, here are a few things that moms do for us.

They find that shirt that’s right in front of you, but just you can’t seem to find.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Reasons To Thank Your Best Friend

Take the time to thank that one friend in your life you will never let go of.

6172
Thank You on wooden blocks

1. Thank you for being the one I can always count on to be honest.

A true friend will tell you if the shirt is ugly, or at least ask to borrow it and "accidentally" burn it.

2. Thank you for accepting me for who I am.

A best friend will love you regardless of the stale french fries you left on the floor of your car, or when you had lice in 8th grade and no one wanted to talk to you.

Keep Reading...Show less
sick student
StableDiffusion

Everybody gets sick once in a while, but getting sick while in college is the absolute worst. You're away from home and your mom who can take care of you and all you really want to do is just be in your own bed. You feel like you will have never-ending classwork to catch up on if you miss class, so you end up going sick and then it just takes longer to get better. Being sick in college is really tough and definitely not a fun experience. Here are the 15 stages that everyone ends up going through when they are sick at college.

Keep Reading...Show less
kid
Janko Ferlic
Do as I say, not as I do.

Your eyes widen in horror as you stare at your phone. Beads of sweat begin to saturate your palm as your fingers tremble in fear. The illuminated screen reads, "Missed Call: Mom."

Growing up with strict parents, you learn that a few things go unsaid. Manners are everything. Never talk back. Do as you're told without question. Most importantly, you develop a system and catch on to these quirks that strict parents have so that you can play their game and do what you want.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends
tv.com

"Friends" maybe didn’t have everything right or realistic all the time, but they did have enough episodes to create countless reaction GIFs and enough awesomeness to create, well, the legacy they did. Something else that is timeless, a little rough, but memorable? Living away from the comforts of home. Whether you have an apartment, a dorm, your first house, or some sort of residence that is not the house you grew up in, I’m sure you can relate to most of these!

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments