There is no right or wrong position when it comes to voting, all that matters is that voter’s research the topics or candidates, choose how they feel, and vote. That’s all there is to it.
“It’s important for everyone to vote, no matter their race, gender, or religion,” said GCC student Dikran Assayan. “Voting affects everyone, not just those who vote, so if you don’t want your future to be decided by others, I would encourage you, and anyone else who doubts the power of voting, to vote. Otherwise you may get stuck with a politician or proposition you disagree with and you will be left kicking yourself for not voting against or for the opposition.”
Voting in 2010 is widely different than it was 10 years ago, due in large part to “Rock the Vote,” an organization which was started in 1992. The organization’s goal is to inform young voters by helping them to understand the voting process.
Now young voters have access to a forum where their questions can be answered and where their doubts can be discussed. The website, www.rockthevote.com, has opened up a new world where voting is made fun. Events are scheduled to inform young voters by giving them a clear explanation of everything a young voter needs to know before casting a ballot.
The government is meant to work for everyone, and it is by voting that officials are chosen to make decisions for the general welfare. Voting is very important to the future and it affects everyone.
Social and economic progress is the goal that the nation is trying to reach, and as President Barack Obama said in his 2008 campaign speech, “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
Organizing for America is an organization that evolved from the Obama for America movement in 2008 and is continually seeking to inform and encourage young voters that to create change, they must vote.
“We really need to go out and vote to keep the change movement progressing,” said Susan Estby, a student at Glendale Community College in Arizona. “There is no excuse not to vote.”
“We needed a change in our country, and the Republican Administration wasn’t working anymore,” said Estby, recalling the first time she voted in the 2008 Presidential Election. “I met a volunteer for OFA, they were my age, and not intimidating at all like some people during election season can be.”
The importance of voting is very simple. One voice alone is not strong enough to be heard, it is up to every single person who is eligible to go out and have their combined voices resonate and witness the change they can create.
“Thousands of voters making (their) voices heard,” is the message OFA delivers to all who believe in the old stigma “my vote doesn’t matter.”
The truth is that every vote does matter. Whether that vote is for the popular or unpopular, the bottom line is that every vote counts. If there is a specific topic that voters feel strongly about, they should not let fear or uncertainty stop them from voting.
This election year there are many propositions on the ballot that can greatly change the state of California. Voting yes on Proposition 19 will legalize marijuana under California law, not federal law. It permits local governments to regulate and tax commercial production, distribution, and the sale of marijuana.
Proposition 26 will require that certain local and state fees be approved by a 2/3 vote. Proposition 21 establishes an $18 annual vehicle license surcharge to help fund state parks and wildlife programs.
One of the most important propositions on the ballot is Proposition 23, which suspends the Global Warming Act established in 2006. This measure suspends air pollution control laws requiring major polluters to report and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming until unemployment drops to 5.5 percent less for a full year.
The two biggest issues of the 2010 election are voting for a new governor and a senator. The two candidates for governor are Republican Meg Whitman and Democrat Jerry Brown who are both looking to fill the empty seat that will be left when current Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger completes his term. Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer and Republican challenger Carly Fiorina are also campaigning diligently to attract voters.
For more information on the candidates running for office, propositions, or any question about voting visit www.rockthevote.com League of Women Voters, Glendale/Burbank area http://gb.ca.lwvnet.org.