My Vote Doesn’t Count, and I’m Glad
I vote in every election. I have voted in every election for a long time.
Before every election I do some research and then on election day, I head to the voting booth and vote for people I think will do a good job.
I do not vote along party lines, nor do I allow silly ads and other political trickery to influence me.
That being said, I firmly believe two things:
- My vote doesn’t count
- Nothing much is going to change
Those statements are not cynical or pessimistic. They are not “whoa is me” or hopeless statements.
They are quite the opposite. Knowing that my vote doesn’t count and that not much is going to change actually helps me sleep better at night!
Let me explain.
The feeling that my vote doesn’t count assures me that no one person can decide who is elected. We vote as a collective, we collectively elect the people who represent us. Right, wrong, or otherwise, most voters should get the desired result.
Again, in my opinion this is a very good thing.
My second point, that not much will change, is also very comforting to me.
Change does happen, but it happens slowly. While slow change can be frustrating and at times tough to watch, it also helps defend against any one person (or party) taking power and making rapid changes that could destroy our democracy.
In addition, most things that affect me directly function pretty well. If someone was breaking into my house, I could call 911 and the police would show up.
As I write this the town is going through my neighborhood vacuuming up leaves.
If my house caught fire, a well-trained group of volunteers would show up and put the fire out.
Lots of things that make everyday life livable work perfectly fine.
Are there things that need to be changed? Of course.
Are there things on the state and national level that I would like to see change? Of course.
Those changes may happen, some day. But they may not.
And that’s ok, because in most ways that matter to me, life is pretty good.
I imagine there are millions, and perhaps billions of people around the world (and throughout history) who would give anything to prevent a tyrant from taking power, or for someone making quick changes that bring about destruction and suffering.
Ultimately, I do not vote because my vote matters, or because I think things will change, I vote out of respect and gratitude for all those who have sacrificed so that I live in a society where I have the right to vote.
Many have paid a dear price to ensure the peaceful transfer of power we enjoy. Going to a warm, dry, safe building filled with friendly people to fill in a couple of dots with a Sharpie is absolutely the least I can do.