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Tuesday, November 3, is election day this year. Do you plan to vote? You should.
In the 2024 presidential election, only about 65% of eligible voters actually cast a ballot. If you're one of those who didn't, you may think: 1. Your vote wouldn't count; 2. All candidates are the same; 3. You don't want anything to do with the dirty business of politics; or 4. Election! What election? Over the years I've heard all of these excuses. But I have to tell you, they're all bogus.
Our constitutional republic was founded on the principle that citizens should have a voice in how they are governed. Although eligibility to vote has varied with history, we now are at a point where every American over the age of 18 has the opportunity to do so. Various states may have some restrictions. For example, some will not permit convicted felons to vote. But by and large, the majority of the adult population is permitted to vote.
In some countries, Australia, for instance, voting is required. If you don't, you must pay a fine. If we did that, we could make a fortune! But our forefathers didn't think that would be necessary. After all, they fought and many of them died so that we would be able to choose from among our fellow citizens to represent us in the seat of power. Who wouldn't want the ability to have their voice heard in something so consequential?
You have to be particularly secluded to avoid the ads for candidates in this election. The airwaves, print media, bill boards, etc. are crowded with ads to the point where it's aggravating. Billions of dollars are being invested in advertising by candidates, both political parties, and other organizations and individuals to convince you that their candidates are good and their opponents are bad. Rarely do we hear the unvarnished truth about what those candidates have actually done. The burden of sorting out for whom to vote is left on our shoulders.
Billions of dollars! That makes your vote a very valuable item. If it weren't, these people and organizations wouldn't spend so much and try so hard to get yours. Not voting is akin to burning money. Think of it. You control something that these people are willing to go to just about any lengths to get and only you have the power to give it away.
You may have heard the old saying, "If you're not at the table, you're on the menu." What that means is if you don't show up and put in your two-cents' worth, others will make decisions that affect you without your consent. Are you willing to have that happen? Or will you take a few minutes and fill out the ballot to choose the candidates that you believe have your best interests at heart?
In many major cities, the lines are long and people may stand in them for hours to get to cast their ballots. Locally, that's not a problem. So that's one excuse expelled! Unfortunately the deadline for registering to vote in Pennsylvania has passed, but in many states voters can register and vote on the same day.
I am heartened this year by the number of young people who have gotten involved in this election. They are not only registering to vote. Many of them are getting involved in campaigns and working for candidates and political parties. It's good to know that democracy will not die with my generation.
So here's what you do. Research the candidates. Check to make sure you're registered to vote. Find out where your polling place is. Go there between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3. Fill out your ballot and hand it in. Easy peasy!
There's still some time left for you to help get others to vote. You can take a friend with you who may not otherwise have voted. You can volunteer to work for a candidate. You can talk to your neighbors. You can display a yard sign and/or wear a button with your candidate's name.
Still, the most important thing you can do in this and all elections is VOTE!
Verna Caruso is a native of Muncy, who now resides in Williamsport. She is a former staff member at Inc. magazine and former Chair of the Lycoming County Democratic Committee.