Former president Ronald Reagan once stated, “Voting is a precious right that for two centuries Americans have fought and died to protect. Let’s all honor that sacrifice this election day.” From women’s suffrage to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, people across the US have fought to be able to elect someone to adequately represent the population. Voting is not a privilege that all countries around the world possess. Years of work have been invested to ensure that every citizen has such a privilege. It is essential to remember how much one singular vote can help shape America’s future.
The total number of registered voters in North Carolina has been steadily decreasing. From 2008 to 2024, there was a 5.3% decrease in those who voted in the presidential election. In congressional elections, there was an even larger decrease of 8% of voters in NC from 2006 to 2022.
Having the ability to vote is a foundational right paved from the historical efforts of Americans who gave their lives for causes such as the American Revolution, Women’s Suffrage and the Civil Rights Movement. This is a privilege that should never be taken for granted.
Citizens nationwide may simply lack the interest or enthusiasm to vote. It’s important to remember how even just one person can be a turning point in the country’s future. As North Carolina is known for being a primary swing state, it’s important to remember the impact just one vote can have. In the 2024 election, Donald Trump had won the state over Kamala Harris by a difference of only 3.21%. If only one person had decided to vote for Harris instead, the state may have turned blue, which would’ve impacted the eventual result of the presidential election.
The only truly effective way to achieve political change is to go to the polls and vote for a representative who is dedicated to helping their constituents. Based on each party’s platform, one can decide whether or not the electee’s plan for the nation shares their beliefs. By choosing to vote for that certain individual into office, they can create policies regarding those certain beliefs, supporting the outcome someone may have wanted but couldn’t reach with little power. Voting for officials who represent one’s values is the most effective way to bring important issues to the forefront.
For every voice and opinion to be heard, individuals must take advantage of the opportunity to influence the future of this country. It’s critical that, by whatever means available, all those eligible to vote make the time to cast a ballot. Everyone’s opinions deserve to be seen, and voting is the only way Americans have a chance to have those views represented.
