Voting Vital to Our System of Government
By Congressman Michael Turner
Tuesday, November 4, is Election Day across the United States. Voting is the most important fundamental right given to the American people to truly decide the government and policies that will impact the future of our country. As Americans we are privileged to live in a country that allows its citizens to choose their government’s future. Yet many Americans regularly fail to exercise their right to vote.
The right to vote was established in 1789 with the adoption of the U.S. Constitution. The underlying cause of the American Revolution was taxation without elected representation. Our country was therefore founded on the idea that citizens of a country deserve the right to select their leaders. After the Civil War, the 14th Amendment was ratified to extend the right to vote to African-Americans. Women’s suffrage was granted by the 18th Amendment in 1920. In 1971 the Constitution was amended again in order to lower the voting age to 18. During our nation’s history many have risked and sacrificed their lives to safeguard all of our freedoms, including our right to vote.
The people from the great state of Ohio participated in its first presidential election in 1804 after joining the Union. Today, Ohio is considered an important swing state and often plays a deciding role in national elections. In recent elections, the Buckeye State has proved itself to be a remarkably good predictor of the election winner. In the past 44 years, Ohio has voted for the winner of the presidential election every time.
Elected officials make all sorts of decisions that can directly affect your life. The President and Congress you elect will make decisions on issues of tremendous importance to every person in our country. There are also local elections that can have an even more immediate and personal effect on you, your schools, family, and community.
As the candidates and political analysts rightfully remind us, this year’s election is shaping up to be one of the most important of our lifetime. The presidency, every seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, seats in the state legislature and several state referendums will be decided by Ohioans who participate in our process by casting a ballot on November 4. Each of these elections will be important and many may be decided by a handful of votes.
By voting, you participate in a process that determines who will represent you, your family and your neighbors in every level of government. Every election can change the course of our country’s history. Each and every vote is the voice of a citizen of the United States of America. And on Election Day every voice counts equally.