A few days ago, I crossed an item off my bucket list: I helped someone register to vote.
To the nonpolitical reader, this might seem like an odd bucket-list item. An unregistered voter is like a rare species to the biologist or an unbeliever to the evangelist. They don’t come around too often. In less than 10 minutes, we had paperwork sent to the PA Department of State and this person will be able to vote in November.
Why does this matter? There are over 330 million people in the U.S., and one vote will likely not change an election outcome. But voting and being active in our political processes is important.
Not registering to vote and not voting are different. When you choose not to vote, you are still sending a message to those that represent us. It’s an indication that they must do better to earn your support. Whether it be out of protest or apathy, a lack of voting tells our government leaders that they need to listen more, make more impactful policy, or improve in some way.
While I think voting always trumps deciding not to vote (especially in 2024), I still think someone (who is registered) who decides not to vote participates in our politics.
Not registering to vote sends a different message. What you are telling government officials is “I don’t care what you are doing. I want no part in making decisions, so please make them for me.”
You are essentially giving up the rights that this country was built upon. By not registering, you behave like a peasant under a king. If we all acted this way, we wouldn’t have a democracy anymore and the freedoms we value could easily drift away.
If you enjoy the American life – going wherever you want, exploring the woods, posting without thinking on social media, etc. – you should register to vote.
If you are not registered, please think about doing so. It only takes a few minutes. As the 2024 election nears, I also hope you follow through and vote. Express your opinion to those that exercise authority over us.
I think a lot of Gen Z people feel like politics is a mess that is not worth their time. I encourage you to remember that “the best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better” (Richard Rohr).
Registering to vote – and then voting – is the best way to be better.
