Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Why I Love Election Day


I know that there are lots of people who are ready for the election to be over.  And I get it.  Elections can bring out the worst in people.  They can cause rifts between family members and the closest of friends.  They can be incredibly stressful (trust me; I can't sleep until the results are in, even if that means staying up all night).  The negative propaganda and annoying commercials where candidates focus on their opponents' flaws rather than the issues are enough to turn off even the most loyal supporters. 

But for me, an election is an exciting time.  I consider myself to be a fairly political person, even though I don't talk about it much around these parts.  I was raised by parents who were very politically active in the 1960s and 70s, and my sister and I were taught from a young age the importance of making ourselves aware of the issues and of our role in deciding who governs us.  I couldn't wait to turn 18 and vote in my first election, and have been an active voter ever since.  I even get a little emotional every single time I hit that "cast ballot" button.  I am officially a political dork. 

People love to say that your vote doesn't really count, but it does.  I'm not going to list all the reasons why you should vote (although if you haven't yet, I'm urging you to get over to your local polling place and do it!), but I will say that we are incredibly lucky to have the right to make our voices heard and make an actual difference just by taking a few minutes to push a few buttons or make a few marks on a piece of paper.  There are people in other parts of the world who devote their lives to fighting (and some who would even die) for the right to vote.  It's a pretty awesome right, one that I'm very grateful to have.


Election Day is almost like a holiday to me.  I don't watch a lot of television, but when the polls close and the results start to pour in, I am glued to the tv.  Despite the stress and negativity that may surround it on various levels, I love this day.  In one single day, the fate of our country for the next few years is determined, and to know that I had a say in it is pretty powerful. 

What are your thoughts on Election Day?  Is it exciting for you too, or are you counting down the minutes until it's over and life can return to normal? 


Top photo, in all its glory, taken by my friend Crystal.  Margaret Mead quote image by me, for you.  Feel free to use it and spread the word.  Power to the people you guys.

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20 comments:

  1. It just baffles me when people say that voting doesn't matter. Look what happened in 2000! Hello, just a few votes can decide the whole election! Plus I love what you said about us having the right to vote when so many around the world don't. It's the least we can do.

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  2. i have to admit i'm more excited for it to be over, but there is a certain excitement in the air that i kind of like :)

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  3. I love election day too, it's such an important day and reminds me that we do have a say!!

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  4. That Margaret Mead quote is one of my favorites. :)
    It's incredibly easy to get jaded living in DC. But nevertheless, I cannot imagine NOT voting. There are many countries where people would die, are dying, for the same right that we take for granted. It wasn't that long ago that we (I mean, women) couldn't vote here! It does matter.
    So I always vote, but I ignore as much of the media coverage leading up to and after the election. It makes me insane. I'm with Alycia in wanting it to be over now.

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  5. I totally understand what you're saying. I'll be glued to the tv this Sunday evening, because we have elections on Sunday (too). :)
    Good Luck today!!

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  6. Oh my gosh I love that graphic with the margret mead quote! It's so true! I am crossing for my fingers. go Obama =)

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  7. I love that quote. It's my first presidential election to vote in and you can bet I voted, even all the way from over here in Spain! I can't wait to get the results even though the time difference makes it a little difficult.

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  8. i love election day and partially because i work for an elected offical but his name isn't on the ballot today because he is retiring. but it is an exciting time to say the least!

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  9. I do love Election Day (even though I will be glad to be free from robo-calls and negative ads starting tomorrow). I'll be staying up WAY past my bedtime, I'm afraid. I come from a family of political junkies.

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  10. Election day always makes me nervous!

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  11. i linked through to your post here: http://www.kateandoli.com/2012/11/voting-day.html. i loved it!

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  12. It does matter! Look how close the election was tonight! Down to hundreds in some states. I definitely voted.=)


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  13. I think I am kind of in the middle of the road when it comes to politics. I don't enjoy discussing politics because I don't ever have enough information to back up my beliefs, and I am a mostly-Democrat whose direct family is all Republican, all the way. But! I do enjoy voting. I definitely felt a little euphoria walking away from the polling place today : ] (And your very last sentences made me giggle : ] )

    P.S.--I just noticed your new Christmas cards, and I love them! I really really do like your hand-drawn artwork. I'm so glad there's more to kind of ogle haha.

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  14. I don't like election days, I love... them because the whole day will be gloomy and no one feels like to work.

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  15. I like it too, regardless of the outcome. :) I just love being a part!

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  16. Glad to know I'm not the only one who gets election night insomnia - I couldn't go to sleep last night until the race was called and the concession/victory speeches were given. I would have stayed up all night if I had to!

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