Get Out And Vote

Today is the big day! If you’re reading this and haven’t hit the polls yet, get up and do so!

From PBS:

It’s a puzzle — voter registration in the United States is at an all-time high but voter participation is nearing an all-time low. In the 1964 presidential elections 69.3 percent of the voting age population cast a ballot. In 2002, that number was only 54.7 percent, up 0.3 percent from 1996. The numbers for midterm elections are worse. During the midterm election in 1998, only 36.4 percent of the voting age population made it to the polls.

I have to say that I understand why people sometime don’t make it to the polls. I spent a few hours last night reading through all the material the State of California provided to its citizens. Sadly, while it covered the many propositions that were up for vote, there was something lacking. Less then half of the candidates that were running for office had their positions or even a one sentence bio in the election materials provided.

After conferring with some friends and family, I felt better informed and finished making my choices. I had to take the time to do some research, but I realize that it is my duty to do so. There are two sites that I use to help educate me on the candidates and issues: vote411.org, and smartvoter.org. These are fantastic resources, and I recommend you go through them before hitting the polls.

I realize that all the choices may be confusing, and it takes a fair amount of time to go through all the materials and information you can dig up online, but it is important enough that we all do it.

Don’t just vote for anyone. Do your homework. Do some research. Be informed. The United States has been a model for democracy for decades, and we need to start learning what the rest of the world envy’s us for. Our voice matters. Every individual has the opportunity to make a difference.

I’m disappointed that so few Americans vote, but it is never too late. Lets prove to the world that we care about what’s going on here in the greatest country around. Lets prove to the rest of the world that we care what the United States does around the world. Lets stop complaining about why politicians stink. Lets stop talking about how our government doesn’t properly represent us. Lets prove to ourselves that we can do it. Lets get out and vote . . .

. . . and if you really care, why not start thinking about running for office yourself!

See you at the polls!

Article Author: Joshua Dorkin

Joshua has written 539 articles for us.
Visit Joshua's Website: http://www.biggerpockets.com/

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BiggerPockets.com was founded by Joshua Reed Dorkin in August 2004. An entrepreneur, web designer, real estate investor, and one-time realtor, Joshua was not satisfied by the online offerings of other real estate sites out there, and decided to build one himself. Mr. Dorkin's vision for BiggerPockets has helped to propel it into becoming one of the top real estate destinations online. His vision for the site and its future has brought national press attention to both Mr. Dorkin and to BiggerPockets.

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