One Man, One Vote: The Importance of Voting in America
Jan 14 '06
The Bottom Line Wondering why you should vote? Read this.
"One man, one vote." A premise that should remind us all to go out and vote. This idea stems from a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in 1964 in the case of Reynolds v. Sims. In this case, Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren, speaking for the majority of 8 justices said "Legislators represent people, not trees or acres. Legislators are elected by voters, not farms or cities or economic interests." This case was about state laws regarding how citizens vote and how they are represented. Before Reynolds, disparities existed between state senates far greater than disparities in the U.S. Senate. Urban counties were often drastically underrepresented.
Voting rights in America have come a long way. In 1870, the ratification of the 15th Amendment to the Constitution gave voting rights to all male citizens, regardless of race. In 1918, women were given the right to vote, Native Americans were given the right in 1924. One of the most important rights in voting came on July 1, 1971 when President Richard M. Nixon signed the final ratification of the 26th Amendment to the Contitution, which lowered the voting age nationwide from 21 to 18. This no doubt put a huge number of new voters into the system.
Voting is one of the most important rights and duty you have as an American citizen. I find no greater satisfaction then going into the voting booth and excercising my right to choose my representative government. Much of the world does not share our right and privilige. They live under oppresive governments who choose their leaders, and laws, and their own whim, often for their own personal benfit. Since our seperation from Great Britian, we have had to fight for our way of life. Hundreds of thousand of your fellow American citizens serving in the Armed Forces have given their lives to preserve our freedom. When I cast my vote, they are on my mind, and I am thankful that they gave so much so that I could excerice my right.
Voter turnout is usually very low. Some people choose not to vote because they do not like any of the candidates, some choose not to because the forget, and some because they are not even registered. As a young American, it is your duty to register and cast your vote. Our Democracy, and YOUR voice depends on it. Voting is the single most effective way to make your voice heard. If you don’t agree with your politicians value, ideas, or performance, you can make your voice know in the voting booth. But before you step into that voting booth, might I suggest your do a little homework first. Do research on the candidates you are voting on, their voting records, how they stand on issued important to you, what their plans are for the future. In 2006, there is a total of 253 Congressional seats up for grabs, 33 Senatorial seats and 220 Representative seats. That is more than half of the entire U.S. Congress up for election, and along with it control of the entire Legislative Branch of our country. If ever your voice counts, it is now!!
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