Voting Is Power! Voting Is Your Voice! Understand the History of Voting and Why It Is Important
It is important to me that many Americans understand how crucial it is to get up, get out, and vote. Voting is a major issue that dates back to the beginning of America’s political system. Many people express their disdain for voting because they believe it is rigged and their vote won’t matter. Blacks and women throughout history have had a difficult time with casting their votes. In the 2012 presidential election, 66.2 percent of blacks voted compared to whites, making them have a higher voting rate. Women voters also made up a majority of the votes by having a 53 percent voting rate. Women held the power of deciding the 2012 election because they made up a major percentile of voters and wanted a candidate that would successfully accomplish their needs. It is expected that there would be more African Americans and women voting because the fight for them to be able to vote in the past was a hard and long one. African Americans weren’t allowed to vote until the 15th Amendment was established in 1869. Voting Rights were expanded in 1920 through the 19th amendment allowing for women, also African American women, to vote in 1920. The Voting Rights Act was signed in 1965 officially stating no one could be denied their right to vote because of their race, ethnicity, or gender. In this new presidential election many young people are standing firmly and interacting with each candidate’s campaign trail to decide who would be the next best leader of the “free world.” In order for everyone to truly show unity, she/he must go vote. Protesting at rallies and not voting does not impact the candidates; it impacts America, Americans, and the nearby futures. Remember, when you vote, you are utilizing your 15th amendment right, and that right make every registered voter powerful and makes their voice heard loud and clear!