Voting early? I tried it for the first time, and it worked beautifully. Our early voting took place in the town area where illicit activities are known to occur. However, at 2:30 in the afternoon, there were no distractions whatsoever. The people lining up to vote were carefully and quietly assembled. The line moved steadily, with pleasant ( ! ) election officials giving clear directions verbally and in writing.
The Benefits of Early Voting
What’s the advantage of voting early? Where I live, it’s the weather! I chose a lovely fall afternoon at my convenience. Also, one tends to plan ahead and pay more attention to researching the down-ballot candidates rather than doing a last-minute scramble or, worse, guessing who to vote for and leaving the election to chance.
Reasons People Choose Not to Vote
On the other hand, considering not voting at all?? A recent survey of likely nonvoters caught my attention. Here are some of the reasons people might ignore the polls:
– “I dislike the candidates.”
– “I don’t care.” (apathy)
– “No candidate reflects views and interests that are important to me.”
– “They’re all dishonest.”
– “The results are fixed, and my vote won’t make a difference.”
– “Too much bickering.”
It may seem that way, but consider this: An election IS a serious matter. Mature American adults prioritize their civic duty. This is no time to throw discipline to the wind. All of the above excuses won’t matter if your country, state, or city is run poorly. After all, deep down, you know your vote matters to you and those you love.
Remember, each vote is a small step toward shaping the future we want—let’s make it count together.
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. 🇺🇸