This from Harris Sokoloff, who has designed the citizen dialogue for Great Expectations. Harris is director of the Penn Project on Civic Engagement:
One question many Philadelphians are asking is “Why should I vote?”
After all, in Philadelphia, those registered “Democratic” outnumber those registered “Republican” more than four to one, and much more for those registered other ways. Democrats might think they don’t need to vote because they so outnumber their opponents. Republicans might think their vote is worthless because they are so outnumbered. In fact, Democrats and Republicans alike have been talking about Michael Nutter as the “presumptive Mayor” for weeks. Council elections don't seem much more competitive, although Republicans' votes will decide which of their five at-large candidates get the two at-large seats allotted for their party as a minimum.
So, why vote? Why waste your time, when there is so much else to do? What difference can my one vote make?
If the only reason to vote were to influence the outcome of the election, then there may be little incentive to vote other than the not-insignificant principle that the vote is a key privilege of citizenship in a democracy.
But deciding who wins an election is not the only reason to vote, particularly not in this election.
If the primary and the election has been about anything, they were about about Philadelphians' expectations that the future can be better than the recent past, that the status quo – whether it be pay-to-play or government workers for whom services is a dirty word – must change. It’s been an election about hope and optimism that Philadelphia is, indeed, on the brink of becoming the next great city and that we can all be part of making that a reality.
So, when asked “Why vote?” my answer is that we vote to bolster those expectations that things can and will get better. Our votes are a sign of optimism that things can change and the larger the vote, the greater the optimism and positive energy for change.
Harris Sokoloff
Comments (1)
Why Vote? Excellent question, and some good thoughts about an answer. I came by to add a few of my own musings on the question.
I vote in honor of the past. I vote to honor my sisters and brothers that stood up and were willing to lose their lives and reputations so that I could live in a place where I am able to vote. I vote to honor the history and heritage not only of my city, or state or country, but of all people everywhere who have lived and died believing that collectively, "we the people" can create communities that celebrate all of the best qualities and values we share.
I vote because of the present. I vote to be counted. To add weight to the voices that say, "this matters." To create some buzz, some noise, perhaps even a sense of mandate. I vote to set an example for my children and grandchildren. I vote so that I have a right to complain. I vote for the same reasons I might light a candle in a darkened room. I vote for the same reasons I might still light a candle when the lights come back on.
I vote for the future. Our values, our village, our constitution, our collective hopes and dreams can all be eroded bit by bit over time until they wash away into a great sea of apathy and neglect. It won't happen in one tsunami-like wave. We lose what is best about our humanity when we stop caring and let erosion take its course. I vote to do my small part at holding back that swirling tide and to restore, reshape, rebuild the foundations that will hold us up and our children and our grandchildren for many more generations.
I know, it all sounds kind of dorky and hokey. But if we can't wax a bit poetic and philosophical at times such as these, we truly do risk being drowned in apathy and cynicism - and what good is that?
Posted by Sue Badeau | November 6, 2007 11:14 AM
Posted on November 6, 2007 11:14