Voting is the essence of democracy
If you limit voting, you’re against democracy
The United States is fundamentally a democracy. It’s not perfect, and it may not be your special flavor of democracy (direct, liquid, etc), but it is a democracy.
Voting is the essence of democracy.
So we must ask ourselves with utmost seriousness, How are we ensuring that every citizen is able to vote?
If anyone tries to limit a citizen’s voting, they are violating the essence of democracy. They are undemocratic. They are undermining our democracy. They are actively, willfully fighting against our democracy. That’s fighting against our government.
That’s not politics. That’s treason.
There is never, ever, ever a legitimate reason to interfere with or limit a citizen’s voting.
If an elected official, or an appointed bureaucrat, or a group is trying to limit a citizen’s voting, there must be a reason. The reason is, they fear that the citizen, or group of citizens, will vote in a manner that deprives that official, bureaucrat, or group of some benefits they enjoy.
Limiting voting is an unfair, illegitimate attempt to change the balance of power, the balance of who pays, who benefits, and who decides.
That’s the only reason to limit a citizen’s voting.
In the state of Oregon, we have a vote-by-mail system. It is easy to register to vote. You receive a ballot in the mail, along with a voter’s pamphlet that helps explain the measures and what your vote means. You have several weeks to complete your ballot and return it. You have time to do research and talk to people about the measures.
This is a system that respects and empowers voters. It should be the required system nation-wide. Any alternate system should be shown to make it easier and more effective for citizens to vote.
Working to ensure that every citizen can readily and easily vote is one of the most essential forms of activism in a democracy. It is vital for a well-functioning democracy. It places the welfare of our community above party and power.
As we watch authoritarianism attempt to overthrow our democracy, we must work tirelessly, endlessly to preserve and protect every citizen’s ability to vote.
There are plenty of places to get involved. So get involved.
Voting is the essence of democracy. Protect voting, protect democracy.
Want to do even more? Educate yourself. Here’s a book:
