With the upcoming 2024 presidential election, you’ve probably heard dozens of people telling you to register to vote. Yes, it may be a bit overwhelming when you walk down the street and there are people constantly asking if you are registered. However, there is a strong reason for these calls. Millions of people are eligible to vote in the United States and choose not to. But why? Why is it important to vote?
First off, the United States has one of the lowest political participation rates relative to other Western democracies. In the 2020 presidential election, only about 66% of eligible voters turned out to vote. Again in 2018, only about 49% of the eligible voting population turned out for the midterm elections. Despite the abundant resources the United States has–from a large number of voting polls to absentee ballots–many people still choose not to vote. These reasons include voter apathy, ineligibility, and discouragement due to the way our electoral system is set up. Despite this, the privilege to vote is not extended to everyone in the world and it is something we often take for granted.
To show the power and privilege that accompanies voting, I think it is important to first recognize that only 33 countries in the world are considered fully consolidated democracies. This means that while there are plenty of places where citizens can vote, there are fewer countries where the people are truly given power. Here in the US, our states are divided into districts in which only a single member can win the votes of these districts. The winners of these districts are part of a system of “First-Past-the-Post,” in which the candidate who receives the most votes–not the majority–wins all votes. For example, if candidate 1 wins 40% of the votes in a district, candidate 2 wins 30% of votes, and candidate 3 also wins 30% of votes, candidate 1 still wins despite not receiving the majority of votes. This means that because candidates do not technically require a large number of voters to win, a lack of voters means a lot of missing representation and many changed election outcomes.Â
When it comes to the ability to vote, it is not only kept from noncitizens but also from some convicted felons, in select states, and those without proper ID. To demonstrate the weight of being able to vote, it is also crucial to recognize that many marginalized groups have been historically barred from voting and are still being excluded from practices that contain some indirect bias. For example, there are only 2 states where all have the right to vote. The practice of disenfranchising convicted felons or requiring voter ID means many people of color and those of lower socioeconomic status have been prevented from voting. With that being said, if you are eligible to vote, I highly encourage you to show up to the polls and speak up for the voices that cannot be heard.Â
We live in a society and political environment that has been increasingly polarized over time. With this upcoming presidential election, it is so important that we vote and make sure we are getting the representation we need. If you are someone who usually strays away from voting and getting political, I think it is important to consider that politics and the government affect every aspect of our lives. We should do what we can to ensure we are shaping these structures. If you aren’t registered to vote and you can, I hope I have encouraged you to go register today!