Every Vote Counts…
By Dorothy Brooks
Elections have consequences, and some can be won or lost with just a few votes. In our nation’s history, there have been 154 close state and national elections, some were tied, and many were won with just one vote. In the last 20 years, we’ve had 3 close Presidential elections: 2000, George W. Bush (R) vs Albert A. Gore (D); 2004, George W. Bush (R) vs. John F. Kerry (D) and 2016, Donald J. Trump (R) vs. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D).
The consequences of our national elections can be easily seen in results from the 2008 Presidential, 2014 Midterm, 2016 Presidential and 2018 Midterm elections that resulted in major actions that now impact, and will impact in the future, every resident in the United States. Elected officials were able to pass The Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) without one Republican vote in the House; impeach a President in the House without one Republican vote; roll back President Obama’s waterway regulations (through President Trump’s actions); appoint two liberal Supreme Court Justices (President Obama); appoint two conservative Supreme Court Justices (President Trump), put in place 48 judges to the courts of appeal, pass into law (President Obama and the legislative branch) then gut the effectiveness of The Affordable Care Act. Our economy was affected by major treaties with Mexico, Canada, and Iran that reflected the Presidential and legislative leanings of first liberal, then conservative elected officials. Laws, passed by conservative or liberal legislators, can expand or contract rights regarding abortion, immigration, gay and transgender issues, and other personal rights.
Elections impact the quality of our lives and the level of freedoms we enjoy. In local elections, City Council members can (among other things) regulate how we park on our streets; whether and where street improvements will be made; determine the level of our city taxes; and regulate the rate and how our city grows. School Board officials can improve or negatively impact the education of our children and determine our school tax rate. Texas voters have passed almost 500 amendments to the Texas Constitution and include laws on equal rights, equality under the law irrespective of sex, race, color, creed, or national origin, prohibition against religious tests as a requirement for public office, freedom of worship, freedom of speech and press, and rights of the criminally accused.
Every election is important. One person’s decision to refrain from voting can lose an election. One vote can place an official in office who agrees with and promotes your deeply personal values.
Check your voter registration at least 30 days before an election, then vote. Every vote in every election is important.
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