My Fellow Americans, Please Vote

Next Tuesday, millions of Americans will head to the polls to cast a ballot in this year’s midterm elections. Please make sure you are one of them.

Sadly, if past trends prevail, less than 40 percent of the voting-age population will do so, proving once again that the American public is largely apathetic to its politics.

Sure, the national media has covered the midterms as if they are a guaranteed slam-dunk for Tea Party-backed candidates. Yes, Election Day lies on a business day on which most Americans have to put in eight-hour shifts, and many polling places are out of the way of a person’s normal travel routine.

Unfortunately, these are not usable excuses. Next Tuesday’s vote will determine Washington’s party structure for at least the next two years. Will the Democrats maintain a two-house majority and be able to transform the party’s platform into legislative accomplishments, or will the Republicans take control of the House and/or Senate and force the president to attract bipartisan support?

If you’re a Democrat dismayed by the current administration or the rise of the Tea Party, think of the fact that the Senate must confirm any Supreme Court appointees with a majority. The president has already successfully appointed two justices in less than two years, so there’s likely to be more changes in the nation’s highest court. These justices will affect legal interpretation for decades.

Also, think back to 2008. America elected Barack Obama as the “change” candidate, the man who would beat the odds and restore the country to greatness amidst struggling economic times. Do we really want to give up on this opportunity after less than two years?

If you’re a Republican furious at the Obama Administration, take that anger to the polls. Make your voice heard, and vote out the incumbent Democrats to send a message to the president. In 2006, the Democrats won large gains in Congress because they made the entire election a referendum on the Bush Administration, so now is your turn to do the same. Elect Republicans to a majority in Congress to counter the Democratic president.

If you’re an Independent or proponent of a third party, that does not mean that you are immune from the voting process. As much as you may despise the reality, the government represents all citizens, not just those of a particular party. Thus, this election matters as much to you as any Tea Party protester.

Compile what you have heard about the candidates on the local news or read about them in the newspaper to make an informed judgment as to who is best to lead you on a local and national level. Visually juxtapose the candidate’s ideas and priorities with your own to develop your own personal voting strategy.

Even though partisan voters generally consume the majority of the midterm electorate, moderates remain the largest voting bloc in the country. Neither candidate may embody all of your legislative desires, as they rarely ever do. With that said, idealism rarely ever wins in U.S. politics, so be pragmatic in your approach and pull the lever for your preferred candidate. Show your fellow Americans that while extremism may be the loudest voice, it is not the most prevalent.

The message is, regardless of party affiliation, please vote. The 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution allows any at or over the age of 18 to vote. Take advantage of this right, as it is the public’s most powerful check on the governing power.

Midterm elections are decided by turnout. Congressional races will be decided on the basis of a few hundred votes, so please make sure that you cast one of them.