Off The Cuff Archive

Of course, the big news this week is the upcoming election. A typical editorial would begin to explain why you should support a certain candidate, or a certain issue, or a certain levy. I could happily sit here and think that my opinion would influence the decisions of many, the direct actions of voters, the end results, but I tell you, my opinion shouldn’t matter.

 What should influence your vote is an assessment of facts, not opinions. No matter what the issue, no matter who the candidate, there is one main underlying fact in any election--not enough people vote.

 Some researchers say it is because voters are ignorant of the issues and candidates. Some say it is because voters don’t care. I think it is because some folks believe their votes don’t matter. Either they feel their opinion doesn’t matter, or that their vote will not influence the results.

 Several years ago, I taught a class to Calhoun women on welfare to prepare them to enter the work force. In the session when we prepared for interview questions, we encountered the following: “What do you think is your best quality, and how can that characteristic benefit our company?” For the discussion, I asked the students, “What makes you special?”

 Suddenly, a normally chatty group grew silent.

 “Oh, come on,” I said. “What makes you special? What makes you different than everyone else in this room? What makes you the essential human being that you are?” 

Nothing.

 I can’t tell you how disheartening it is to look at a room full of women who have no idea why an employer would be interested in them above all others, who don’t have any thoughts as to why they are important to the rest of the world.

 An election is a perfect way to show each and every one of us that we matter. Voting is a right we have that many in the world do not have. It is a right that men and women fought for, on many levels. It is a right we have because those before us believed that each and every one of us has valuable input. The system was established on the concept that all could vote--and if we all don’t, the system doesn’t quite work right, it seems.

In Calhoun County, officials have won with 11 votes because they ran unopposed. Others have lost or won re-election by a mere 13 votes. Levies have passed or failed because of one or two percent. Nearly 60 percent of new voters registered since the primary established “no party of preference.” I think that fact alone is making a statement--and they haven’t even voted yet.

You can’t convince me your vote doesn’t matter. You’re opinion is of importance, and in an election, you are being asked to play your part because you have been recognized as important. You don’t even have to wait until election day any more, you can go vote during business hours now.

 If you still don’t think your input matters, just go and do it anyway. Trust me. You’ll feel important when you’re done.