Are you on the fence on whether you should vote this presidential election or just skip it? Do you feel like your vote doesn’t count, or won’t make any difference? You aren’t alone in these thoughts, but it’s vital that we, especially as college women, exercise our right to vote. The other day, a friend asked me if I was voting this election. I hadn’t even considered not voting, and I expressed my opinion. My friend almost laughed, and responded with, “it doesn’t really matter, voting doesn’t really do anything.” I didn’t continue the conversation, but I encourage anyone who feels that way about voting to consider the opposite. Voting is a choice, but it does do something, and it does matter. Here’s why.
It’s your chance to make your voice heard
Chances are if someone asked you if you cared about climate change, reproductive rights, or health care you would have a vocal opinion to share. Voting is your chance to express that opinion. You have the opportunity to vote for the candidate who represents the topics and political conversations you care the most about. Use your vote to express that you care about climate change and that you care about healthcare for all, or whatever the topic may be. Your vote is your voice.
Voting is your constitutional right
Women got the right to vote in 1920. Now, in 2020 let’s continue to exercise our right to vote. Recently I attended a museum exhibit at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland Oregon. The museum exhibit explored the women’s suffrage movement, which inspired me to want to take action and vote. Women who dared to cast ballots in elections were arrested and thrown in jail. And even though white women received the right to vote in 1920, women of color were excluded for years after. The right to vote has been well fought for.
I don’t like either candidate—what do I do?
We may not always like our options when it comes to the two presidential candidates we have to choose from. However, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t vote at all. Which candidate aligns the most with our vision of politics? What about the potential vice president option? Which candidate is going to take action and sign legislation to combat climate change? Which candidate is most likely to fight for reproductive rights? Who will fight for underrepresented communities in the United States?
Sadly, sometimes this means voting for someone who has a less than perfect track record in office. One of the two candidates will most certainly align more with your beliefs. And as college women, we have the responsibility to vote for ourselves and for future generations. And this is why we vote.