By Randy Palladino
√ Voting is a way to speak your mind and let your voice be heard! When we vote, we are actually telling elected officials and lawmakers how we feel about education, public safety, social security, health care, and other important issues. It was through elections that we voted in officials who were champions for civil rights. Voting is our chance to make a difference in our own lives and within the world.
√ One voice, one vote really does count! There is power in numbers, and when we vote and get our family members to vote, we can truly make a difference. If you don’t vote for what you believe in, others will – and you may not like the outcome.
√ Our children are depending on us to represent their voices too! That’s how we make our concerns about schools, safety, housing, and other issues heard. When we vote, we are looking out for our kids, and their futures.
√ Voting changes communities! Do you ever wonder why one neighborhood gets passed over for things it needs, while another seems to get it all? One big reason is voting. When we vote, we can get results that we can actually see.
√ Voting is a way of honoring our history! As long as our country has existed, there have been people who did not want us to vote. There were several freedom fighters that stood up for the right to vote. It’s now our turn to stand up and vote to preserve the honor of those who went before us.
√ Last but not least, voting gives you credibility! Often times, we voice our concerns to elected officials, but if we aren’t voting, our concerns may not matter at all to them. Voting can actually give you the credibility to make your concerns a top priority for legislators.
