“We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” – President Thomas Jefferson
This quote often to attributed to our third president has always fascinated me because it still rings true today.
I have voted since I was able, starting in the 2016 election. I voted in the 2018 election, and while I didn’t vote in the 2019 municipal election, I’ve voted in every one since 2020.
It’s important to do so. People have died for Americans to do so. I’m also a big believer in the idea of “you don’t get to complain about who’s in office if you didn’t take part in their election.”
And also, in my line of work, I get to see what elected officials do first-hand. So of course I want to vote.
When I brought this up with my roommate, who is a few years older than me, however, I was shocked to discover he had never voted despite being nearly 30. He had registered to vote, but never bothered to actually do it.
The reasons why he didn’t? First, he said he didn’t feel like the his vote would make a difference. The second reason was because he was so busy with life and work that he didn’t think he could make an informed decision on who/what was on the ballot.
His reasons made sense to me, though I was disappointed to learn of this. I’ve heard similar things from people online and in person in passing conversations over the year.
But I was set on changing his mind about voting, and so began the effort to make my roommate vote for the first time.
I talked to him about the electoral process, suggested he read political articles and attend voter forums with candidates. Over time, he began to become more educated about local politics, state politics and even national politics through his own research.
Eventually, he decided he would vote in the general election as an informed voter. I was ecstatic.
So this past weekend, we made our way to Johnson County Courthouse to do our civic duty and vote.
The line was short and the process was quick to get checked in. A poll worker asked him if this was his first time voting. He said yes, and a worker remarked with a slight cheer that he was one of several first-time voters to vote that day.
Soon he was walked over to a machine while I made my own way through the process — excluding the comments about being a first-time voter. I was given a quick run down of how to use the machine and I was on my way.
Within 10 minutes, we were both done, received our “I Voted” stickers and were out of the courthouse.
Once outside, I asked my roommate about how the process went. It went well, he said, and the poll workers explained the voting machine excellently.
Seeing his experience at the polls prompted to me write this column. Low voter turnout is often lamented in Indiana and in Johnson County, particularly during non-presidential election years.
But this could be changed with just a little work from those who decline to take part in voting even though they are eligible to do so. Getting educated is easier than ever with the internet and social media. Simply sitting around and complaining doesn’t pass muster.
It doesn’t matter who or what you’re voting for. Get informed and go out and vote if you are able. It’s one of the few times you an have a direct say in your government.
After all as Jefferson said, “we have a government by the majority who participate.”
So participate.
Noah Crenshaw is the Daily Journal’s news editor and a Franklin native. Send comments to [email protected].
