As we head toward the November Election, it’s important to remember why voting is one of the most important duties we have American citizens, and why you should always exercise your fundamental right at the ballot box. Texas has already completed numerous elections in 2024 including the March Primaries, the May Primary Runoffs and even brand-new elections for county appraisal district boards. What is the one thing nearly all of these elections have had in common? Low voter turnout. For example, in a state of nearly 18 million registered voters, less than 3.4 million people voted in the March Primary or just 19% of registered voters. In many local elections, that number is even more dismal. The good news is that there is one more opportunity this year to make your voice heard, the November 5 General Election. Here are three reasons why you should make a plan to vote this November and in every election moving forward.
1. Choose Your Leaders
Voting in our elections is the only way for you to choose who represents you at all levels of government. While many people will be focused on the Presidential contest this November, the races further down the ballot often have a more outsized effect on your everyday life. Depending on where you live, you may have dozens of leaders who represent you and you have a direct opportunity to help choose each of them. Don’t forget to view your sample ballot on your county website and research down-ballot candidates before you head to the polls.
2. Influence Laws and Public Policy
Our elected leaders are the people who craft laws and public policy that affect you each and every day. By voting, you play a key role in shaping those policies as elected officials rely on their voters and constituents to help guide their public policy decisions. Whether you are passionate about housing affordability, tax policy, flood mitigation or any other issue, there are candidates up and down the ballot that will have a direct role in combating these problems for years to come.
3. Every Vote Counts
Too often we hear that people do not feel like their vote matters. However, every election cycle we are reminded that every vote counts as we typically see at least a couple of races that are decided by razor-thin margins. The most famous example of this is the 2000 Presidential contest between George W. Bush and Al Gore in which Bush defeated Gore in Florida by fewer than 600 votes out of nearly 6 million. In local elections with less eligible voters, the margin can be even more narrow and there have even been instances when one vote was the deciding factor in a race.
