Ah, the right to vote! 🗳️ It’s actually one of the most valuable rights we have as Americans. Pro tip: don’t take it for granted! Some countries still don’t have a vote at all, some are so corrupt that their “votes” are purely for show, and some prohibit citizens – usually women – from voting…even if it’s technically legal. So, while we might have to work at it just a tiny bit, we should embrace our privilege and DO IT. For those who are still thinking, “but but but”... NO!
Here are Five Fast Facts on the stupidest reasons not to vote (and solutions!):
- 🏤I’m not registered - This is so easy to fix! You can register online (here, here, or wherever your state does it), you can do it at your local DMV or Post Office, at military recruitment centers, or at state and county public assistance offices like SNAP or food stamps. Plus, there are often local registration drives in the months before every election so keep an eye out for those in your neighborhood. Essentially every non-dead, non-criminal citizen of legal age is allowed to vote, so if you’re not registered, then you’re not trying!
- 🗺️I don’t know where to vote - This is easy, too! Just take a quick gander at your state/local election office or check one of the many government offices/resources like the National Association of Secretaries of State or Vote.org and pop in your state and address. It’ll take less time than your daily scroll through Insta, we promise! Or, you can always do a mail-in ballot from the comfort of your home, and get right back to the IG scrolling.
- 🚙🍷I don’t have an ID - Most states expect you to show some form of photo ID to vote. The good news is that you can get one for little or no cost in most places. Just visit your local DMV or Post Office, and they can hook you up. If you can’t get there in person, most states have some form of mail or online process you can use. It’s actually pretty difficult to find things you don’t need an ID to do - buy cigarettes or alcohol, travel, use a bank account or credit card, breathing…you get the idea. If you’re starting from scratch, you might have to track down a few other ID docs first. But, you’ve got a couple years between elections so that should be plenty of time (even considering the government’s typical snail-ish pace on most things).
- 🤔I don’t know who/what to vote on - Okay, you might have to exert a wee bit of effort on this one. First, think about what you actually want; ignore the TV commercials and slogans and fancy hairdos, and look at what they have done or are promising to do. Actions speak louder than words. Then, just need to fire up the ol’ Search Engine and read a few sources you trust before you make your decision. Think of it like reading reviews of the latest Yeezys before you pull the trigger!
- ⛔I don’t care - If this is you, then you probably shouldn’t vote anyway. You might suck, but if you’re okay with that then we are, too. But then you don’t get to complain about the results! 😜
🔥Bottom line: Voting is a GREAT thing, and we want everyone to be ready and excited for it when Election Day rolls around! Don’t let stupid excuses get in the way of you exercising this fundamental right we have. If you do, then you might suck. Don’t suck, go vote.
Guess what? The President's not up for a vote in the midterms...but your local & state government reps are! Here’s three small things you can do that make a BIG impact:
