Voting is underway, with all indications pointing to record turnout this election cycle. As of last week, more than 30 million voters have cast their ballots—two full weeks before election day. Additionally, as a result of coronavirus, mail-in voting this year has been greatly expanded too. Though every presidential election brings plenty of fervor and controversy, 2020’s election generates as much or more conversation than maybe any other.
Partisan politics aside, voting is a fundamental aspect of our form of government. It has not always been as we know it today. The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, passed in 1868, provides that all men born or naturalized in the U.S. have full citizenship and voting rights. It wasn’t until 1920 that women could vote, with the addition of the 19th Amendment. As we strive toward equal access to democracy, voting rights have been repeatedly argued and renegotiated. Changes along the way include repealing state poll taxes in 1923. The 24th Amendment eliminates poll taxes on a national level, and a further 26th Amendment lowered the voting age to 18.
Today’s Voting Victories
Through history’s lens, today’s political controversies about mail-in ballots are part of a long democratic debate tradition. However, in America, they are also seen as a positive evolution of voting rights. Don’t be distracted by the noise. Voting gives every American a direct say in their political system’s workings at every level, from county to state to country. More broadly, the sum of the things we vote on affects legislation and policy outcomes. Votes can shape all kinds of results that can affect your bottom line as well.
Put simply: voting determines our country's future. Your future. Our future. Click To TweetNo matter who you are or your political beliefs, be sure to exercise your hard-won democratic rights and vote on or before Election Day on November 3rd!
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