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You Should Get Out and Vote today!

November 7th, 2022 by Kenneth Abrahams

This blog will be published on November 8, 2022, election day from coast to coast. No, the occupant of the White House will not change but a lot of other things could. Every single seat in the House of Representatives, technically, is up for grabs. I’m certain that in some districts in some states there are unopposed races happening but every two years the House of Representatives must go before the voters and be reelected, or they will be looking for a new job. There are also contests for open Senate seats, Governors races, and many local contests as well.

As far back as I can remember, politics and elections have been a part of the fabric of our family. If you walked into our house during election season, our dining room table would be piled high with envelops and solicitation letters for one candidate or another. Stuffing, stamping, and mailing those letters was a family affair. I couldn’t have been more than 5 or 6 when I started to help but it was important to my mother, so it was important to us. Like many parents, Mom reminded us that people had fought and died in wars to give us the freedom to vote and elect our representatives. She would talk about the fact that groups like minorities and women didn’t always have the right to vote, so exercising said right was vitally important. Not only did she send out letters but she held signs on election day and encouraged anyone she knew to cast their ballot. As soon as I was old enough to participate and cast a vote, I did so. Trust me my mother would never have allowed me to sit on the sidelines.

Voting is more than simply going into a booth and filling out your ballot, at least it should be. Many years ago, an artist that had worked with us wrote a piece shortly before an election, imploring people, certain uniformed people, not to vote. His concern was that being an uninformed voter was perhaps worse than not voting at all. In my opinion, his concerns were justified, even today there are many folks who walk into a booth and simply vote red or blue, without really bothering to learn about the people who they are putting into power. Just because of party affiliation are they automatically the best people for the jobs? For all I know, they may be, but before I color that circle on my ballot, I want to know for certain.

Elections this year, as they have in years past, can come down to one issue for many voters. Those issues vary for every individual. For some, it will be the economy. Others are concerned with reproductive rights, or crime. Still more will focus on energy or the environment. Not all, but some, will research which candidates are favorable to their position and vote accordingly. It is only that one issue that gets them to vote for a person. Others look at a whole slate of positions before identifying which candidate they will throw their support behind.

In many states, there are not only elections for people but there are ballot questions as well. Topics like legalizing marijuana, taxes, gas or oil pipelines, giving undocumented aliens drivers licenses, wind farms, and so many more. Some of these questions are binding, which means that however the masses vote will determine if they are enacted into law. While other questions are non-binding, non-binding means they are simply getting your opinion and are not required to act upon it.

Even though there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary, many still believe that their vote doesn’t matter, it isn’t important. Some feel that because they live in a “red” or “blue” state and are not voting with the majority party, their candidate has no shot at winning. Please keep in mind that states do change or there may be a candidate that is attractive enough to a wide range of voters that they can win, even if they are not attached to the dominant party. If you get in the habit of voting in every election, you will soon realize that your voice does matter.

It has been said that all business is local, the same can be said of politics. Even politicians that seem to have little connection to their towns, districts, or states, still make decisions that can very directly impact you and where you live. Bills are passed all the time that impact funds for a wide range of people and businesses. Things that you may not think will impact you, like closing military bases, can have both negative and positive impacts on different areas. They can affect people in a variety of ways. Closing a base in one town can mean that other bases are expanded. In a scenario like that, it is possible that one location will see a negative impact on local businesses and the local economy while another city or town sees an economic bump.

Take time to study the issues and the people. Some elected officials are only in office for 2 years while others get 6-year terms. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is running to secure her 19th term as a member of the house while Republican Mitch McConnell has served for 37 years. Remember, whoever you cast your vote for could be there for a very, very, long time. Yes, it is important to vote and it is your right. We are lucky in this country to have a voice and that we can go to the polls, without being threatened, and cast our ballots for whomever we choose. Our elections do matter, so get out there and vote today.

About the author

Ken Abrahams is somewhat of a political junkie and what is referred to as a habitual voter. That means there aren’t too many elections that he doesn’t vote in.

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