The Future Belongs To Those Who Vote

Vote Vote Vote, The Importance of Voting, Get Out and Vote, How to Be an Informed Voter, The Future Belongs To Those Who Vote

"If you don’t like what’s going on right now – and you shouldn’t – do not complain. Don’t hashtag. Don’t get anxious. Don’t retreat. Don’t binge on whatever it is you’re bingeing on. Don’t lose yourself in ironic detachment. Don’t put your head in the sand. Don’t boo. Vote."  ~ Barack Obama

Election Day is Tuesday, November 6, 2018

If you live in the US and you're not happy about the current state of politics, participate in our democracy and get out and vote. The midterm elections are coming up in a few weeks and if the last election proved anything, voter turnout is important and elections have real consequences. If the past two years have taught us anything at all, it's that the people that we elect to represent our interests in government matter. Not voting is not the answer, Your voice matters and your vote matters.

Voting is a hard fought privilege and right of every American citizen. There is just too much at stake right now and every vote counts so there is no excuse to not vote. And if you don't vote, then you don't have a right to complain. The upcoming midterm elections will decide key state and federal government positions. Unfortunately the current president is in place for another two years but all of the seats in the House of Representatives ( 2 year terms) are in play and there are 35 available seats in the Senate (6 year terms). This is a big deal because in order to get legislation passed, a bill needs to get a majority vote in both the House and the Senate. Whichever party is the majority is usually in control of the deciding vote). The House and the Senate can both be the deciding factor of a bill becoming law. So if the president vetoes a bill, they can override his decision with a a 2/3-majority vote. These positions carry an immense amount of power especially now so we all need to vote to ensure that whoever represents our state will prioritize our interests and values.

If you're not registered, the first thing you need to do is to make sure you’re registered to vote. How to Vote In Every State explains the election rules, registration process and the absentee or provisional ballot process for every state via a short informational video. To enroll as a new voter or if you’ve moved and need to re-register in a new state, start at Vote.gov. If you think you're already registered but aren’t sure, you can check your status at Vote.org.  Prior to election day, make sure you know the location and hours of your polling location so you can plan ahead for the optimal time for you to go.


Voting is important but so is being an informed voter. A daily news digest service like The Skimm can be very helpful to help you stay aware of current events and public policies that pertain to the interests of you and your community. Look at both sides and do your research especially if something sounds out there because politicians do lie and misrepresent the truth (surprising!). Just because someone in office says something doesn't make it true. Sites like FactCheck.org and PolitiFact.com exist to help people discern fact from fiction.

Educate yourself to figure out which of your elected politicians and potential candidates best align with your interests. I personally really like Ballotpedia which will show you your potential ballot along with comprehensive information about your candidates and a breakdown of how they voted on key measures and policies. The non-partisan informational articles on the site are also a really useful resource.  Project Vote Smart lets you search for U.S. House and Senate candidates by state. You can look at where they stand on major issues and see a comparison of all of the candidates’ platforms. Vote411.org is a longstanding resource that lets you input your address to pull up a Voter Guide that allows you to compare candidates and their positions. These guides can be printed for reference to take with you to the polls.

No matter where you live, the best way to make an impact on future of your country is to vote.

Illustration: Libby VanderPloeg // Photo: Giphy

20 comments

Doctor Anne said...

So true for every country - go vote, every vote counts! And the right to vote especially for women isn´t that old, i really don´t understand why some people don´t appreciate what others risked their life for only 70 years ago.

Anne|Linda, Libra, Loca

Unknown said...

It's important to vote. We've got the voting in Poland this Sunday and as long as Inu can't vote because she's from the other city and travelling there takes too long and it costs and it's really hard to make it possible to vote in different place, I'll vote this year as always because I hope that finally we will have different parties in Poland, not only one party that does what they want.

Jackie Harrison said...

Glad you speak about the importance of having a voice in a Vote to make change.

Amy Aed said...

Yes I love this! When I was first given the chance to vote, my mum was literally like "if you don't vote I will be so disappointed in you, you'd be giving up a voice of which women decades ago didn't have' - and because of that, I've voted ever since.

Have a great week :)
Amy x Wandering Everywhere

Lilli said...

Morning Rowena! Yes, I just agree with everything you said, voting isnt just a right but is something more that involves the freedom and the human being. I know whats going on there and I hope this election will turn out as everyone hope and wish. Here in Italy policts would need others and more serious elections. Have a nice week my dear! xo

Emmylou said...

Amen, chingu! I've never missed voting since the day I turned 18. I really do believe every vote counts, and with what is going on there in the USA, it's so important now more than ever not to be complacent. Let me tell you....it truly boggles my mind how your president could have that much support from his base. It's truly like living in an alternate universe where truth doesn't matter!

R.ChamberofBeauty said...

I'm totally agree with you Rowena, we all should go for voting because it's our right and sometimes our small step can change the destiny of our country. I have noticed often women saying ' there is nothing happened with one vote, the truth is that every vote is precious for a country. Very nice topic and well written. My English is not perfect so please correct me where I'm wrong. hehe
Have a nice day.
Kisses
http://www.rakhshanda-chamberofbeauty.com/

Beauty Unearthly said...

Hello, thanks for the information. Have a nice day

ALLIE NYC said...

It is incredible how many people don't vote, if you don't vote you have no right to complain or even voice an opinion as far as I am concerned. And I hate to say this but people on the left or so called liberals are the worst offenders. I remember last year speaking with an ex-coworker a 28 year old female who said she was not sure if she was going to vote as BS who she supported did not win the primary. She said she HATED HC and said it with such vehemence she was gritting her teeth and practically foaming at the mouth. The only thing I could think of was "issues" insert eye roll.

You should vote for what you think is best for the situation of the country not on if you "like" someone. None of use know these politicians personally so can not really say if we "like" them or not. It is ridiculous. Or you vote for the person who best represents your ideas and get as close to them as possible.

I don't even have the energy level to hate DT it is more the people who voted for him and even more so the so called liberals who sat out the election. I am sorry but that is just whiney emotional baby nonsense. But sadly that is the way %80 of the populace ( those who actually vote) make decisions. Based on childish emotions.

I had a friend who said HC was a crook when I said based on what and inquired if there was more information that came out in the news she had no answer and then got very flustered and said "Well maybe I used the wrong word", again--insert eye roll. Wow is all I thought to myself. And this was a person who I considered intelligent. It truly is amazing how the average person takes in the umm "news" like baby birds eating regurgitated food and then they spit out an opinion and actually believe they came to this conclusion on their own.

Well I certainly stated my opinion didn't I?

Allie of
www.allienyc.com

little luxury list said...

Thank you for the reminder! Luckily my husband has a short trip to the US and can return our forms by election day. I don't even want to get into the rabbit hole of the state of US politics and the division and misinformation available. Time to vote out those who don't truly represent the people and misrepresent themselves/facts!

little luxury list said...

Well said Allie and unfortunately true!

Bambi said...

We have elections this week, I take part in them since I'm able to vote - I was 18 when I tried first time and I hope that this year we will change something but there's like 1% chance that people will change their opinion - people usually vote by money. This party gives them money? They'll be all in even if the party is doing bad stuff afterwards.

Pilar said...

Thank you for sharing the importance of voting Rowena.

Gabrielle said...

I absolutely love how you've used your blog here as a platform to spread such an important message Rowena! I couldn't agree more with your words :)

aglassofice.com x

Paola Lauretano said...

Totally agree, Rowena. It's really important to vote!!!
Kisses, Paola.

Expressyourself

Rebeca Muñoz López said...

I do not know what happens with politics lately, but in my country a good percentage of the population is not happy with the results of the people who govern them, recently it was the mayoral elections and I must admit that I was very unmotivated, even so take strength to go to vote, but it is time for politicians to do their job well! Kisses dear.

Ivana Split said...

I think that sometimes people don't vote because they feel like it doesn't make a difference, especially since there is so much corruption in the politics, but in life often there is a lesser evil to choose for.

iamperlita said...

I love this!! Thank you so much for posting about the importance of voting. It is so refreshing to see such an important message being shown in the blogging world. You are amazing!

-PerlaGiselle | iamperlita.com

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R's Rue said...

Yes.

Pilar said...

This is such an important message about voting Rowena. Voting does make a difference.