Our Votes Matter: Action Steps in Planning to Vote

On Election Day, millions of people in the United States will use their hard-won right to vote. We, the ordinary citizens, will decide the future of our communities, states and country.

Our Right to Vote

Voting has always been a central tenet of civic responsibility, although it is only one of many ways to take civic and political action. Throughout U.S. history, incremental steps to expand voting and participation in government have slowly moved our country from an elite system – in which only white men who owned land could vote – to a more pluralist democracy, in which citizens of diverse backgrounds participate and share their perspectives. 

However, violent opposition to a diverse, more inclusive society in which all people share rights and responsibilities is also a part of our history. Although the 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, made it illegal to deny the right to vote based on race or “previous condition of servitude” (in reference to slavery), widespread disenfranchisement, barriers and white supremacist violence prevented Black Americans from registering and voting. Almost a hundred years later, as a result of the struggles and demands of ordinary people during the Civil Rights Movement, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 finally helped make the right to vote a reality in practice.

In the decades since the VRA, we’ve moved closer to achieving a multiracial, inclusive democracy, one in which we see growing representation of Black and other people of color. But this shift to a more inclusive society has also been met by opposition and backlash, from voter suppression and gerrymandering to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol that attempted to stop the election certification process. As we near the 60th anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, we continue to face perilous challenges in our democratic republic. 

The central tenets of engaged citizenship include and support voting but are not limited to it. Other key tenets include being active in our communities and staying informed on issues and current events – local, national and international.

The Importance of Your Vote

Historically, the youngest eligible demographic (age 18-29) had the lowest voter turnout. This began to change in the 2020 election, with Gen Z propelling a powerful increase in younger age-group turnout. This block of age 18-24 voters also played a significant role in the political and racial justice movements of that summer, turning their action into increased voter participation. Further, there will be a predicted 7-point rise in eligible Gen Z voters in the 2024 election, paving the way for Gen Z to play a major role in the outcome if turnout continues to grow. Voters of color were especially prominent, demonstrating the power of action in a diverse democratic society.

Every vote matters, so don’t accept any notion that “one vote will not change anything.” The 2000 presidential election was decided by just 537 votes in Florida. More recently, the 2020 presidential election in Georgia was decided by only 11,779 votes. By planning early and taking the necessary steps, you can help ensure your participation in strengthening our democracy.

Now is the time for action. We are at a crucial moment in our nation’s history, and all our votes matter.

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