30 Before 30: #6 – Vote in a Local Election

I am a firm believer in the “no vote no voice” concept.  One of the best things about our country is its democratic nature.  We, as members of the community, have the power to influence exactly how that community is run.  If you don’t want to exercise that power, fine, that’s your prerogative.  But if you choose not to vote, I don’t think you should be allowed to complain.  I would vote to suspend your freedom of speech.  It may sound a little harsh, but I don’t like seeing people squander rights they are so lucky to have.  And I don’t want to be bothered with your rants against a politician or a law when you don’t even care enough to get out there and attempt to change things with your vote.

It’s easy to put your money where your mouth is for the Presidential election since it’s so high profile.  Sadly, the local elections don’t always get us so fired up but impact us just as much.  I admit I have let these elections slip by in the past but now realize I need to get out there and vote, especially when it directly affects the state I live in.  That’s why I included voting in a local election as one of my 30 Before 30 items.

The midterm elections were my first opportunity to cross this one off my list.  In NYC there is really no excuse to miss out.  There are tons of polling locations and they are open from 6 AM til 9 PM so even if you work longer hours like I do, you can still make it to the polls.  It took me a total of five minutes to sign in, vote, and scan my sheet.  The second I was done, I felt good about myself.  I felt ballooned up and proud with the notion that I was making a difference.

Many people told me that as a Republican in New York, my vote doesn’t matter.  I don’t count.  But you know what, if all those people stayed home and trusted their Democrat candidates would win because they “always do”, people like me could turn things around.  Sure, that’s a simplistic and unlikely scenario, but the point is that everybody’s thoughts and opinions matter.  They deserve to be recorded.  So regardless of you political leanings, trust that you count.

The one problem I experienced was that I didn’t get a sticker.  What’s up with that, New York?!  The best part of voting is being able to proudly show everybody you did it.  At least I contributed to a 5th grade bake sale when I was living the polls so I got some doughnut holes along with those feel-good emotions.

Date of Completion: 11/4/2014