Tomorrow is election day…. I’ve voted in pretty much every election since I was old enough to vote — even when I was out of the country and it was more “inconvenient” to do my right as an American.
The freedom to vote is America’s most important political right — outside of maybe the Bill of Rights — and it is also the most hard-won right. The United States Constitution, as originally written, didn’t define specifically who could or couldn’t vote — but it did establish how the new country would vote.
Article 1 of the Constitution determined that members of the Senate and House of Representatives would both be elected directly by popular vote. The president, however, would be elected not by direct vote, but rather by the Electrical College. Over the years, many people and groups have have fought for the right to vote — a lot of us were born with that right, so we probably don’t appreciate how precious it is.
The 2022 midterm elections hold tremendous importance, and the results will impact every American. These elections go beyond who will represent us in Congress — voters will also elect representatives at the state, county, and city levels.
Voting is your chance to stand up for the issues you care about, like affordable housing, economic justice, environmental protection and quality education.
Everyone pays taxes and yet, most people don’t know that money is being used. Voting is your chance to choose how your tax dollars are spent.
Voting is your chance to make a positive impact on your community.
Participating in elections is one of the key freedoms of American life. Many people in countries around the world do not have that freedom, nor did many Americans in years past. No matter what you believe or whom you support, it is more important than ever to exercise your rights.
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