Daily 1
Jaden Daily
Celia Winchester
English 121
23 September 2018
Importance of the American Vote
In the article by Ann DeLaney, “Should You Register to Vote,” the author explains why she believes that everyone who is eligible to vote should do so, especially since “political decisions will made for [those who vote, and for those who chose not to] even if [citizens] elect not to participate” (DeLaney 12). Those who chose to vote have an opportunity to take advantage of their given right as an American; by doing so, each voter is given a chance to make their community a better place for them to live. Though it is not mandatory for anyone to vote, DeLaney says that when people chose to do so,“officials have to consider what [the voter] thinks. (36)”. Only a percentage of Americans who are eligible to vote actually do, or even register to do so. Of the Americans who actually register, a surprising amount do not end up voting. Everyone should be taking advantage of their right to vote because only the voter can decide which politicians have their best interest in mind.
Regardless if someone were to vote or not vote, there are decisions being made by public officials that will affect everyone. It would only be logical to participate and vote for what they believe is right. No-one can avoid the decisions their politicians are making on their behalf; these decisions will affect everyone no matter what. When citizens opt out of voting, they basically give up their chance to give an opinion about what goes on in the community. Citizens must still pay taxes by law in order to fund certain things in the community, but it does not mean they have to agree with how their tax dollars are being spent. DeLaney points out that elected officials decide amongst themselves “which streets get paved, which sidewalks get repaired, and which schools close without regard to [the citizen’s] opinions, if [they] don't vote” (14). DeLaney also expresses her belief that no-one could ever “avoid politics completely… so [everyone] may as well participate” (16).
Voting gives citizens the opportunity to vote for what they believe is right as well as to share their political opinion and stand points on certain issues. Residents in every community have ideas about how th...
