Every four years I hear someone say that voting is a waste of time because it does not lead to change, that voting legitimizes a corrupt system.
I understand the frustration of feeling like Democrats and Republicans do not provide real choices or alternatives, but we should always take the time to voice our sentiment. For me, voting is essential to the process of non-violent change. People register what they like, don’t like and which direction they want to go. The alternative vote, be it for Ross Perot in 92, Pat Buchanan and Ralph Nader in 2000 or Jill Stein in 2012, tells the world that many of us want something different. Millions of citizens can see that they are not alone in their dissatisfaction with the status quo and are willing to speak out through the ballot box. This important statement can, depending on the size of the vote, alter political discourse and outcomes.
Is voting a waste of time? I ask how do you propose to change the values and direction of government if we do not at some point elect officials with our values? If the people decide a little rebellion is necessary, then so be it. But after the ousting of one government we must return to a vote. Military coups and dictatorships seize power, representatives of a peoples’ revolution are voted into power.
So until the revolution, our voting helps to ensure the political idea and process of voting remains an expectation. I believe in democracy not theocracy, one party or emperors. The rights we don’t use we lose, and voting is no exception. If we lose the right to vote we will find ourselves in a very different political space with truly one party, the party, in power. All other parties will be illegal. No Green, Libertarian, Peace and Freedom, American Populist or any other party. The simple act of voting helps ensure these rights of discourse and association.
Equally important and even more instructive is that people died for the right to vote, murdered by those who wanted to keep people from having a say. This should not be taken lightly. Today we’re fighting well-funded campaigns seeking to bar millions of people of color, young people and seniors from voting. If voting is a waste of time and changes nothing, why is there a national movement to suppress members of my community from voting? The struggle for access to vote will never end because there is power in voting to maintain the status quo or to change it.
Is it necessary to vote in every election? No. Many times the choices aren’t really choices at all and it may be necessary to stay home as your statement. But next time be creative and register your dissatisfaction. Write in a candidate or a protest statement like No War, Peace, or None of the above. Organize a campaign for the next cycle so your write-in candidate or statement will make the news.
I vote because I believe in non-violent democratic change. Voting is only one element in the socioeconomic process of change, but a very important one. It can bring a Hitler or a Mandela, healthcare reform or the loss of hard won gains. Don’t be fooled into thinking voting doesn’t matter. That’s what many in power want you to think.
