Voting has always been really interesting to me. I have always liked the thought about people caring so much about their community, their state and even their country that they want to make a change in it–leave their mark in it, if you will.
So much is going on around us as citizens of this country that we get caught up in our own little worlds. We tend not to look up to see what can be affecting today’s society and the secondary effects they may have in the future.
Voting is something that can be taken for granted. According to the Texas Secretary of State website, for the 2022 general election, the voter turnout for Hidalgo County was 34.6%, while Cameron County’s was 34.23%. Many people think, “Well, why should I vote anyway? It’s not like it will make a difference,” or, “Well, it’s not like it affects me either way, so who cares?” And the thing is, a difference will be made, and it will end up affecting you.
Many aspects of society are impacted by politics, such as our education and the economy to keep the list short, and people don’t even try to make a change. Those people tend to be the lot that will complain about how the president is doing a sloppy job of running the country or about whatever event the U.S. had no business getting into for the billionth time. But even then, they deem it unnecessary to vote.
If you have so much to say–or better yet, complain about–make your voice heard through the ballot.
It’s important for people to do their research and find the right candidate for them. The point isn’t to just vote for whoever and hope and pray for the best. Look into each candidate who is running. If you share most of your ideas with that same candidate, go and make your voice heard. Make the choice for who you think is the best option.
I turned 18 in late July, and I can genuinely say I was excited about the fact that I am now able to vote. To think everything I agree and disagree on can now be heard through my vote is still unbelievable to me.
My parents would vote whenever they could back home in Mexico to try to advocate for what they believe in. My older brother takes after them and is always up to date on U.S. and world politics and votes whenever the chance presents itself. Now, I get to follow them and vote for what I stand for, and you should, too!
