Myths Regarding Voting

When it comes to voting in our country, it may feel as though there can be some misunderstandings of the process. Sometimes, we are misinformed or were never taught anything about how it even works in the first place. This can cause us to develop a number of misconceptions when it comes to voting, and these misconceptions can sometimes hinder our desire to perform our civic duty of voting. I’m going to take the time to explain a few of these myths surrounding the voting process and give you the truth of the matter in turn.

Some people carry the preconceived notion that if they go to vote, then they will only be able to vote for one of two different options on the ballot, Republican and Democrat. However, there are typically more options than simply these on the ballot. One would be able to vote for the Libertarian, Green, or Reformed Party, to name a few. Apart from any specific candidate for any one party, voters may also take the time to put in their own write-in candidate on the ballot. Options for voting tend to be less limiting than most people would think that they actually are. Before going to the voting booth, be sure that you do plenty of research on the multitude of candidates that are up for election. This way you can be sure that there will be a candidate that you want to vote for before you arrive. If there never seems to be a candidate that you approve of on the ballot, then perhaps you might help in taking the initiative in making sure that there is one the next time that Election Day comes around.

Another incorrect belief that some potential voters hold is that you can only vote on Election Day, and you will not be able to vote at any other date or time. This is something that varies from state to state, but, typically, a state might take the advantage of giving their citizens the opportunity to use an absentee ballot. The absentee ballot can be available for those who are incapable of reaching the voting booth on Election Day, for whatever reason. However, as I had stated earlier, the absentee ballot is not available in every state. So, be sure to check your states’ policy on absentee ballots, and make sure you get yourself in time for Election Day. Other than using an absentee ballot, some states might give their voters the opportunity to take part in early voting before Election Day. With early voting, you can stop by the voting booth on days specified by your state before Election Day. Texas usually gives the opportunity for early voting to their citizens, but not all states do so. Make sure you check your states’ policy on early voting and take advantage of it whenever it is available.

eOne final myth about voting that I will discuss is that of voter decline. Eligible voters today might have the mindset that “nobody else is voting so why should I?” This is a harmful way to think that is not as true as one might think. Statistics have given the impression that voter decline is now worse than it has ever been in American history. This is somewhat true, but it carries one big piece of information that most voters tend to forget about. These statistics will typically count those who are ineligible to vote among nonvoters in a population. These people who are ineligible are typically non-citizens or convicted felons, among other things. These subsets within the main population will tend to throw off the statistics of those who vote and do not vote. In turn, when possible voters see these statistics they become less inclined to go out and vote. They carry the misguided belief that most others do not vote so they shouldn’t either. Please always be sure to exercise your civic duty of voting no matter what you might read or hear. Every vote really does matte

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