Why We Should Vote by Cameron H. ’19
Imagine one day waking up to the news reporting that female citizens of the United States were no longer allowed to vote. Imagine the reporter on the screen saying that only men were allowed to vote; that the only opinions the government wanted to hear was that of men. While this seems far stretched and outrageous, it used to be a reality. Voting is a right that is often taken for granted, but is also a right that was relentlessly fought for.
Women’s right to vote took seventy-two years to achieve. From the day of the Seneca Falls Convention until the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, suffragettes all around the country aided in the mission to have women’s voices heard and seen as equal to men’s. It was not a war won easily, however. Women were imprisoned and tortured because of what they were doing, yet more and more women were becoming willing to lay down their lives for this cause. They won this right for us, sacrificed their lives for this right for us. They won this right not only for themselves but all women who were born in the United States after them.
Today, women’s opinions are valued in our society. Women are not only around for childbearing. Women are recognized as strong, smart, leaders whose votes make a difference. Not only is there an easy form that you can fill out, but now when you get your driver’s license, there are convenient options to register to vote. After registering and when the time comes to cast a vote, people see the overwhelming options as intimidating. For this reason, there are websites that are made with the specific purpose of giving unbiased summaries of politicians or programs. Registering and the act of voting is being made as easy as it can be.
The government and state are not the only ones that are pressing citizens to vote. The Catholic church has identified three primary responsibilities of all citizens. These are to pay taxes, to defend their country, and to vote. The Church asks us to vote so that we can use our teachings and values to promote and defend the dignity of the human person, support the family and subsidiarity in local, state, and national institutions, work toward the common good where human rights are protected, and act in solidarity with concern for all as our brothers and sisters. Voting is actively protecting people’s rights and defending your values.
There are many reasons that could potentially fuel someone’s motivation to vote. It could be that they see it as honoring the suffragettes. It could be that they see it as a civic duty as a United States citizen. It could be that they are passionate about politics. It could be that they see their opinion as valuable and needed. It could even be a mixture of any of these. Whatever the your reasoning may be, like those who fought before you, you must be the change you wish to see in the world. Don’t be the one who silences your own voice.
Cameron distributed Voter Registration forms to all senior homerooms and encouraged her Mount sisters to get involved in the process. Like Catherine McAuley, Cameron is passionate about making a difference in her community and the world. Great job, Cameron!
Mount St. Mary Academy, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, develops young women with a moral and intellectual foundation rooted in Catholic tradition. Mercy-minded and college-prepared, our students meet the future with wisdom, compassion and integrity.