Every Vote Counts
Every Vote Counts
Next Tuesday, November 7, is election-day across the United States. Voting is the most important fundamental right and power given to all Americans over 18 years old to truly decide the government that will impact the future of our country. Yet, many Americans regularly fail to exercise their right to vote. By voting, you participate in a process that determines who will represent you, your family and your neighbors in your community, your state and this nation.
The right to vote was established in 1789 with the adoption of the U.S. Constitution.
The underlying cause of the American Revolution was taxation without elected representation. The Founding Fathers fought and risked so much because they placed such a tremendous value on the right to vote. After the Civil War, the 14th Amendment was ratified. It extended the right to vote to African-Americans. Women's suffrage was granted by the 19th Amendment in 1920. In 1971 the Constitution was amended again in order to lower the voting age to 18. During our nation's history many have risked and given their lives to safeguard democracy, including our right to vote.
As the candidates and political analysts rightfully remind us, this year's election is shaping up to be one of the most important of our lifetime. Every seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, a third of the Senate, a number of Governorships, state legislatures and countless state referendums will be decided by those who participate by casting a ballot on November 7. Each of these elections will be important and many may be decided by a handful of votes.
Throughout our history a number of elections have been decided by only one vote:
Several of our states, including California, Idaho, Oregon, Texas and Washington became states by one vote.
Lyndon B. Johnson, our 36th president became a U.S. senator in 1948 by a one vote margin.
In the 1960 presidential election, one additional vote per precinct in Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, and Texas would have denied John F. Kennedy the presidency.
Encourage everyone to do everything possible to get out the vote. Often election-day just sneaks up on many people who haven't planned for a time to vote in their busy schedules. Here's an idea you can use on the Friday or Monday before the election: Send out a global email blast to your entire address book. Sending out an email to everybody in your email address book and reminding them that the election is coming on the following Tuesday is non-partisan and legitimate. Remind your friends to take 10 minutes, right now, to make sure they know where their polling place is as well as arranging their schedule to allow time to vote.
Voting is one of the most important ways each citizen can participate in the great American experience. Every election can change the course of our country's history. That's why it's worth reminding family, friends and co-workers to arrange their schedules accordingly to make their voice heard at the ballot box on November 7th. Remember, each and every vote is the voice of a citizen of the United States of America. And on election-day, every voice counts equally.
http://www.house.gov/miketurner/news/columns/10.27.06.shtml