Why is it Important to Vote?

What's at Stake this Election Season and Reasons to Vote

By Keecee DeVenny
Former Senior Digital Media Strategist

The 2024 election is in full swing and your social media accounts, news feeds, and mailboxes have likely been flooded with reminders to vote. And for good reason. There’s a lot at stake this year, with a presidential race, 33 U.S. Senate seats, and all 435 seats in the House of Representatives on the ballot. Most states are also holding elections for critical state and local positions.

However, the current political landscape has understandably left some individuals, especially young people and people of color, feeling exhausted, disenchanted, and frustrated. And recent research reveals that one of the top reasons people don’t vote is that many people feel there is not much voting can do to change the government. But, in spite of this frustration — or perhaps even because of it — there are actually many reasons why it’s critical that you vote in every election, every year. Here are just some of the reasons why voting is important.

Voting is the Language of Democracy

When you vote, you’re not just electing government officials. You and your fellow voters are expressing your needs, preferences, satisfaction, and dissatisfaction as an electorate. Voting is the primary language of a democracy. It’s one of the main tools people have to communicate how they wish to be governed. Who voters decide to put in office reflects the issues they care about, their commitment to developing solutions for pressing societal problems, and how they would like their tax dollars spent. This is why voting is important in our democracy.

American democracy is built upon the philosophy of the social contract. Essentially, this means that individuals agree to follow the rules and laws that govern society in exchange for the protection of their rights. However, it’s important to note that while the social contract is the foundation American governance rests upon, it’s not a contract upon which every American has had equal opportunity to benefit. The level of protection offered has always depended on your race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender expression, religion, and sexual orientation.

It is an unjust truth of American democracy that the social contract does not equally protect everyone. But, through voting, people can make their collective voice strong enough to force democracy to listen.

April Albright, the Legal Director of Black Voters Matter Fund, echoes this sentiment in an interview with LDF. “Voting is supposed to help change your life. It was never meant as just a ritual that we can go and do with no expectation of an outcome,” she explains. “Democracy is something that is perfected in time, and it changes with engagement.”

"It is an unjust truth of American democracy that the social contract does not equally protect everyone. But, through voting, people can make their collective voice strong enough to force democracy to listen."

Attendees at the rally at the Supreme Court before oral arguments in Merrill v. Milligan, a consequential redistricting case, on Oct. 4, 2022. (photo by Allison Shelley for LDF)

In fact, time and again, Black voters, voters of color, and historically marginalized communities have come together to change the course of democracy, including in very recent history. 

Black voters in Georgia elected the first-ever Jewish and Black senators, respectively, to serve the state in 2021, and in 2018, a record-setting number of women were elected to office throughout the United States. 2020 saw the highest turnout of voters of color in American history, and Gen Z, voters who range in age from 18 to 24, had a lot to do with this. While older voters still turned out in the largest numbers, Gen Z voters had the greatest turnout increase since 2016, demonstrating their potential to create massive change.

Celina Stewart, the Senior Director of Advocacy and Litigation at the League of Women Voters, tells LDF that turning out despite frustrations with the political landscape is critical because “historically, turnout during times like this has been the most influential toward change.”

Stewart adds that those seeking to suppress access to the ballot box are also counting on Black people and other people of color sitting out on the election.

“And when we sit it out, it makes it that much harder to achieve a democracy we are all part of. As one of the strongest and growing voting blocs, we must remember that our vote is more than an individualist pursuit,” she emphasizes. “[It’s] a community mandate to strengthen the political climate to be more reflective of the issues that matter most to unrepresented communities, and a mechanism for centering our voices in the electoral process.”

As one of the strongest and growing voting blocs, we must remember that our vote is more than an individualist pursuit. It’s a community mandate to strengthen the political climate to be more reflective of the issues that matter most to unrepresented communities and a mechanism for centering our voices in the electoral process."

- Celina Stewart

Senior Director of Advocacy and Litigation, League of Women Voters

(Photo via Shutterstock)

Down-ballot races and Ballot Measures are full of opportunities for substantive change

It’s estimated that over 30% of voters don’t complete their entire ballot, but there are so many opportunities for individuals to substantially change their everyday lives at the bottom of their ballots. Races for local roles like city council members, county commissioners, sheriffs, and school board members are found toward the end of the ballot — though their location certainly isn’t a reflection of their importance. For example, how police engage with a community, whether public transportation is affordable, and the accessibility of clean, affordable water are just a few critical issues shaped by down-ballot races

Moreover, a variety of issues, called ballot measures, are also located down-ballot. Through ballot measures, voters have a major impact on laws and governance in their states and jurisdictions. A ballot measure is a law, issue, or question that appears on a statewide or local ballot for voters of that jurisdiction to decide. The two main types of ballot measures are citizen-initiated ballot measures where people collect signatures to put an issue on the ballot and legislative ballot measures where legislators vote to place a constitutional amendment or statute on the ballot.

Ballot measures include items like proposed amendments to state constitutions, repeals of existing state laws, or proposals for new state laws. Recent votes on ballot measures demonstrate their profound impact. In August 2022, in the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson decision, Kansas voters successfully defeated a ballot measure that would have allowed legislators to tighten restrictions or ban abortion outright. In 2018, Floridians voted to restore voting rights to people who were formerly incarcerated.

Forthcoming ballot measure decisions could be just as influential. 146 statewide ballot measures will appear on ballots in 41 states on Election Day. Additionally, voters in Louisiana will vote on constitutional amendments on December 7.

There are a record number of abortion rights-related ballot measures in 2024. Ten would provide for state constitutional rights to abortion. One would limit the time period to access abortion care. Criminal justice, police funding, and drug policy are also on the ballot in several states. Some ballot initiatives, like cannabis legalization, would be a positive step toward redressing impact of punitive drug policies that have harmed Black communities for decades. Meanwhile, a ballot measure in California would increase penalties for certain drug crimes. A ballot measure in Arizona would make sweeping changes to criminal and immigration law, including making it a crime to enter the state as a noncitizen, allowing police to arrest noncitizens who enter Arizona at locations other than official ports, allowing state judges to order deportations, establish several new felonies. 

Though ballots can be long and confusing, there are helpful online tools to support voters in navigating them. LDF, among many other organizations, offers several resources to consult if you want more information on local elected officials or on how to research issues that may appear on your ballot.

Michael Monfluery, who has never been eligible to vote, stands in a courthouse corridor following a special court hearing aimed at restoring the right to vote for formerly incarcerated individuals under Florida’s Amendment 4 on Nov. 8, 2020 in Miami. (Photo by Zak Bennett/AFP via Getty Images)
An advocacy sign in Wichita, Kansas in the lead up to voters deciding on a constitutional amendment regarding abortion. (Photo by Nathan Posner/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Your vote can create long-lasting implications

Why is voting so important? Presidential elections typically garner the highest turnout from voters and attention from the media, which can lead to the false perception that electoral issues are only relevant on a four-year cycle. But elections happen every single year, and their results have enduring effects that can last for years or even lifetimes.

The redistricting cycle, which produces new legislative maps every 10 years following the decennial census, serves as one example. A majority of States have already enacted their new maps after the 2020 census, but several maps have been challenged in court because they were drawn in a way that denies communities of color the opportunity to elect their candidates of choice. These maps were voted on by elected state legislators. And, when they’re challenged, judges, who are sometimes elected, frequently decide if they should be implemented or redrawn. Notably, judges in some states serve lifetime appointments to the bench. That means a judge you elect this election season can potentially decide how political power is allocated in your state in 2031 — during the next redistricting cycle.

Voting on a down-ballot measure in one election, or even voting for a legislator in state and federal elections, can have a long-term impact on your and others’ lives in many other ways. Down-ballot measures can expand rights and economic opportunity, like when Arizona voted to increase the state’s minimum wage or when Maryland voted to amend the state’s constitution to allow same-day voter registration, among other examples. And even electing legislators who serve limited terms can bring substantial changes to your everyday life through the policies they enact at the local, state, and federal levels, which can have both instant and enduring consequences.

STATE AND LOCAL ELECTIONS SHAPE OUR COMMUNITIES 

State and local government elections impact our lives every day. From how police engage with the community to whether public transportation is affordable, safe, and clean, to whether affordable housing is being built, local elections shape our communities. Leaving no power on the table means using your vote in every race in every election because it matters. 

Though presidential and congressional elections often receive the most attention, the many state and local elections taking place across the country — which will decide who serves as judges, mayors, sheriffs, prosecutors, school board members, and more — have far-reaching effects on the lives of millions of people for many years to come. State, municipal, and county-level elected officials determine policies surrounding health care, education, zoning, economic development, environmental policy, infrastructure, law enforcement, tenants’ rights and so much more. 

By voting in local and state elections, you play a crucial role in shaping the political boundaries that determine representation and governance, contributing to a more just and equitable society for all.

Voters Hold Elected Officials Accountable at the Ballot Box

Voters have the power to hold elected officials accountable and ensure the representatives they elect represent them and advocate for the needs and interests of their communities.  

When elected officials know they must answer to their constituents, they are more likely to act in the public’s best interest. The officials elected to local, state, and federal government establish tax rates and budgets, and determine how and where resources are distributed. 

Accountability happens at the ballot box, and holding our representatives accountable to their communities is crucial for our democracy. This accountability is crucial for maintaining a healthy democratic process. State, local, and federal elected officials answer to us, the electorate. And our votes are our voice. 

JUDICIAL ELECTIONS SHAPE OUR LEGAL SYSTEM 

In many states and jurisdictions, judges are elected by voters. From local trial courts to appellate courts, and the State Supreme Court, electing judges who are committed to justice and equity helps ensure that the legal system operates fairly and without bias, upholding the principles of democracy and the rule of law.

Judges have expansive power in interpreting and applying the law and making critical decisions in the criminal legal system, such as accepting plea bargains, sentencing, setting bail, and determining pretrial incarceration. In most states, the Supreme Court is the state’s highest level court, and their decisions are binding and final on matters involving state laws. Courts of Appeals are commonly under the state Supreme Court and their decisions can be reviewed by the state Supreme Court. Lower state courts are usually separated into divisions including criminal court, probate court involving wills and estates, contract and tort cases, juvenile court, and family court, based on the types of cases they handle. 

Local trial court judges are elected in many states and jurisdictions. Local trial courts are where most criminal and civil cases are handled. These courts can be separated into divisions such as family, criminal, landlord/tenant, or general civil courts depending on the jurisdiction. In local trial court, judges and/or juries are charged with making a decision on a case based on the evidence presented. These courts can be separated into divisions such as family, criminal, landlord/tenant, or general civil courts depending on the jurisdiction. 

OUR RIGHTS ARE ON THE BALLOT

Systemic change starts at the ballot box. Voters have the power to elect candidates committed to civil rights and racial justice to advance our multi-racial democracy. 

Attacks on voting rights, systemic racism, LGBTQ+ discrimination, book bans and attacks on truth, and an unjust criminal legal system strike at the very core of our democracy. Our civil rights are on the line, and we must do all we can to protect them. Voting is the language of our democracy and voters can harness their collective power to elect candidates who will fight for civil rights and advance racial justice through legislation and policy.

YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE: BUILDING BLACK POLITICAL POWER 

For decades, LDF has vigorously defended the rights of Black voters and worked to build Black political power. And we are not stopping.

Black voters, young voters, and voters of color showed up and showed out at the polls for the 2020 election and played a critical role in determining the results. In 2024, we have the opportunity to shape our democracy once again and elect candidates who represent and advance our values, our communities, and our future. Participating in the democratic process and making our voices heard at the ballot box is essential.

Even as we face efforts to suppress and silence voters of color, voting remains a powerful and critical tool to enact change. There wouldn’t be so many efforts to suppress our votes if they did not matter. The future of our multi-racial democracy is in our hands. 

Voter education materials distributed by Black Voters on the Rise. (Photo by LDF staff)
LDF at the 2023 Selma Jubilee Weekend in Selma, AL on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Photo by Allison Shelley for LDF)

Ashley Shelton, President of Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, a Louisiana-based civic engagement organization, has witnessed this lasting impact firsthand. “In Louisiana, we have expanded voting rights the last two years, supported our partner, VOTE [a grassroots organization that works to end the disenfranchisement of formerly incarcerated persons] in winning sweeping criminal justice reform, and we are about to realize a second majority-minority congressional House seat,” she says to LDF. “These wins would not be possible without the countless voices of impacted people that have stood, fought, and demanded change … that is power, and we must keep [exercising] it.”

Voting is a powerful tool that shapes the future of our democracy. By participating in elections, you can make your voice heard, influence policies that affect daily life, hold officials accountable, strengthen civil rights, shape state constitutions, advocate for judicial fairness, and contribute to equitable redistricting. Your vote counts and can make a difference in creating a just and equitable society for all.

Frustration in a moment of deep uncertainty and complexity is completely understandable. But exercising your right to vote, even in times of disillusionment, is still one of the best ways to communicate a hunger for change. Your vote matters. Voters have the power to shape democracy — but first they must cast their ballots.

Published: October 12, 2022. Last Updated: October 21, 2024.

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