By Betty Fox
Hot, cold, night, or day it does not matter. Many people have been coming out to vote early even if they have to wait all day. The commitment to vote is one of many countless symbols of the importance eligible American voters are placing on preserving America’s democracy. Forty states and Washington, D.C. allow in-person early voting, and with over 26 million Americans who have already voted, early voting is already six times more than the number of such ballots in 2016.
Readers ineligible to vote may be thinking that there is not much they can do to help push the vote, but that is a false narrative. Even as a student they can still help. At LREI, the Democracy Project has been creating projects that students can take part in to help promote voting and democracy as a whole.
Voting allows Americans voices to be heard. During the first Presidential Debate, President Trump made a false claim that mail in ballots would be manipulated, though in the past, there has never been any evidence of such in U.S. elections.Prior to his remarks, an NPR poll showed that half of the voters would vote by mail but now only 35% feel comfortable doing so. Once Trump said that mail in ballots would be fraud more Republicans decided to vote in person. And with fears about the U.S postal system, Democrats shifted to voting in person afraid that their ballot would not get counted. Many people are worried if voting by mail is even safe. Instead many citizens have decided to come out and wait on possible 3 plus hours lines just to vote.
The fear that not all ballots will be counted negates citizens ability to vote. Voting allows people’s voices to be heard, and the fear that ballots will not be counted is a fear that our democracy is in jeopardy. Exercising the right to vote ensures that America maintains a democracy. On the long lines for early voting all around the U.S., CNN reporters interviewed voters. One woman in Arizona said “This is the most important election of my lifetime, and I didn’t want any confusion on a mail in ballot, so that’s why we came early”. Another man in Virginia said if he has to stand in line all day it does not matter, he will vote today. Voter behavior has changed drastically this year because this is a very important election for America.
What are the major motivations for people to vote in this election? A poll created by WBUR in Boston, Mass said the highest motivation is to stop Donald Trump. Matthew Donohue a 19 year old from Kingston, Mass said “The xenophobia and ignorance of the Trump administration must be stopped. With my vote, I will fight back.” The second highest motivation from WBUR’s poll was that voting is people’s civic responsibility. “I vote as an expression of democracy and against complacency. If I don’t vote, I’m part of the problem.” said Deborah Sosin, a 64 year old, of Watertown, Mass.
What if you can not “fight back” through your vote like Matthew Donohoe. Even so, it is important to do your part. There are many events and projects that students can do to take part in the presidential election and preserve America’s democracy. Here at school the Democracy project has created projects surrounding education and action. Throughout the past couple of weeks on the red doors slideshow there have been movie recommendations like “All In” which talks about voter suppression, or “Frontline” which teaches the viewer about the two possible next presidents, and there are many more. There are workshops and seminars for example one was about finding the truth in our media. Action is also very prevalent in using your voice for example this week, students could write letters to Iowa voters(RD).
At this time in history “your actions will directly impact the course of history. This upcoming election has major implications, more so than any other election in recent history”. This election is a time that Americans will never forget therefore this is a time to act. No matter your age or gender you can commit to learning about the election process, and the importance of democracy. America is a democracy and it is important to keep it one. The advisory who does the most projects for the democracy project can get tacos. If the LREI student body do not do their part we might be drowning our sorrows in tacos on election day.
Sources:
- https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/14/politics/voting-lines-election-coronavirus/index.html
- https://www.npr.org/2020/10/18/924182086/early-voting-analysis-historic-turnout-drives-long-lines-administrative-errors
- https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/elections/100000007281582/vote-by-mail-michigan.html
- https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2018/11/02/we-asked-you-answered-why-ill-vote
- https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vQKLVRrbcWp-VmE1bJxtmlFTtzVZNyCp8gfGuVeZBcgGE6ErUAroc5nreItYvq8whip2H38ab1Bg1oE/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=5000&slide=id.g9a357320b3_0_12
- https://www.lrei.org/middle-school-news-detail?pk=1369524&fromId=252305#