I used to think that voting was not that important. For a long time, I was pretty apathetic about the political system. I also realize now that simply voting for a president every four years will not do a lot to fix things, you need people to be more involved to affect any change. If you think voting will not make a difference & that you don’t know who to vote for. Well, I am going to explain how this all works.
[step 1] Why should you vote?
First off you should forget the notion that “a single vote does not count”. In the one of the most contested elections in U.S. history, Rutherford Hayes won by only 1 electoral vote.
You should vote for everything, bills, Congress people, Senators, judges, local politicians & even state questions. You can find out literally anything about politicians & issues on the internet. [Where do I vote?]
[step 2] What party are you?
I believe you should vote for a candidate, not just a specific party. That said, it is a good idea to at least know which party you identify with, because you have to register with one.
(e.g. I am a registered Independent, though I side more with progressives)
Here is a brief list of the differences. This is not a foolproof determination & there are always exceptions, but this is a basic guide. [try this quiz]
Democrat – (left): They are typically in favor of people, minorities & social programs. They favor more fairness in tax laws & some progressive views, such as: same sex marriage, legal abortion & social programs.
Republican – (right): They are the conservative party, meaning they believe in Christian values, lower corporate taxes & regulation. They strongly oppose gay marriage, abortion, social programs & gun control.
Independent, Progressive & other 3rd parties – There are many other parties that try to break into the political scene, unfortunately the system we have is prohibitive to them getting elected. I recommend you research them all.
[step 3] Who do I vote for?
This is the important question & it is entirely up to you. Don’t be intimidated by all the mudslinging that goes on, or be frightened by words like socialist, progressive, left or right. Do your research & vote for the people & policies you most align with.
[step 4] Get registered, find your polling place
This is work, I know, but it is really worth it.
The most important thing is to REGISTER in time to vote.
Your one little vote will only make a difference if you use it.
Also, be careful where you get your news from. Sources like CNN, FOX, MSNBC & other “mainstream” sources have proven to be extremely biased.
I recommend some of the following: TYT, Secular Talk, or Adam Mockler, but there are many other independent sources.
Here are some sites to help you vote.
- Justice Democrats – Pledging to run without corporate money, these are the people we need.
- GovTrack – Find out who your representatives are, & how to contact them to Let them know how you feel.
- Fact Check – Giving you facts you can use to make informed decisions.
- Vote Smart – Find out about a politician’s positions & voting records.
- Politifact – Aiming to help you find the truth in politics.