Constitution Day 2008
From Library
Please share your thoughts about your right to vote
To add your thoughts to this page, please create a login for this wiki, or e-mail jnelson@western.edu to have your comments added. Please check-out our Constitution Day website for more resources on voting and the Constitution.
One more reason to vote … a free cuppa coffee. Starbucks
Why don't any of you read the constitution? The Constitution does not ever establish the "right" for the citizens of the US to vote. It only establishes under which circumstances the government cannot deny the opportunity to vote (sex, race, etc), but that does not mean that there are no circumstances under which the government can deny the opportunity to vote (felony convictions). Voting in the United States is based on the constitutional principle of state rights. The 10th Amendment in the Constitution states that "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the State, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." Since the word "vote" appears in the Constitution only with respect to non-discrimination, the so-called right to vote is a "state right." It give us the right to elect State Representatives, not Senate members or the President. Only a constitutional amendment would give every American an individual affirmative citizenship right to vote.The United States is one of eleven nations in the world that does not provide an explicit right to vote in its Constitution. J.T.G.
A basic privilege and a great responsibility of our United States is for each qualified individual to vote. By this means, the majority rules, the minority is heard, and our republic is preserved. - Anne Steinbeck
Young, eligible voters who say "my vote doesn't count" or that they are "making a statement" by not voting are simply furthering the very agendas they profess to work against. Voter apathy and cynicism are the easiest opportunities for ruling power structures to keep and garner more power and influence. When elections are manipulated, that manipulation is made possible by an ongoing tradition of apathy among voters; layers of corruption occur when the electorate can't be bothered to vote or participate in the political process, allowing those who crave power to take it without a fight. Voting represents the true "muscle" of the American people. Without exercise, it will atrophy and fail when most needed.
- Dr. Anthony Miccoli, Visiting Professor of Philosophy and Communications
I will never forget the time my husband and I moved, and neglected to register to vote. That fall, Arizona elected the worst governor. How did such a guy get elected? But, we had no right to complain. We hadn’t voted. Neither had many of our intelligent friends at the University of Arizona. U of A had a massive drive for voter registration, and you can bet we were registered before the recall election! I will never fail to be registered for another election. - Marti Peterson
It is important for young people to vote so that politicians cator to our interests. -Mike Broadbent
Why vote? Why not? It is a chance for young people to have their voices added to the community. So many young people either do not or cannot vote. Make a difference. Vote now. - Lawrence Griffin
By not voting you are automatically voting for the winner. -Seth Hiler
The innovation and research that went into the constitution is remarkable. There were so many previous authors and philosophers whose ideas were used in the writing of the constitution; it seems the American Revolution had been in the making for centuries. How a group of men can come together and “invent” a country, its government, and rules for the people shows the true peer potential of man. To me, the constitution is the beginning of all countries seeing their potential for freedom. It showed not only the other colonies of England that they no longer had to settle for not governing themselves, but also many other countries that they could choose their own destinies and not live under any tyrannical powers. Though many countries did not choose democracy when deciding their state’s destiny, that is not the point, the point is that they were able to make that decision. The freedoms of democracy that came about from the Revolutionary War changed the lives of countless people since then, and have forever had an effect on the freedoms in intellect of the free man.
The constitution was written by many people, and had the thoughts of centuries of free-thinkers behind it. To me, it shows how much even a small group of people willing to do the right thing for the greater good can change the entire history of generations of Americans, and how Americans will always have this strength in each other to believe in. sarah
The right to vote is the right to power. This right enables us to elect officials where we agree with there point of view so that maybe they can help us and make the community a better place. -Cody Frankum
I believe that you should vote, but only if you have background on the candidates in which you are voting for. You should not just waste your vote because that is who your friend is voting for, get background to ensure that your candidate is the person who best represents you and your beliefs. -Christina Lee
The Right to vote is the most powerful right you have in the country. Dont complain about the government if you haven't tried doing your part to change it. Tony
Electronic voting presents private companies with the task of recording votes. There is no paper trail. This is a very serious problem in our democracy, and paper ballots must be used to avoid corruption, fraud, and tampering. -Josh Browning
Do not be swayed by a candidates polished speech, actions speak louder than words. -Andrew
This is my third time trying to add a comment. I hope my voice is heard better when i vote than it is in this comment page. But get out there and vote it is your chance to be heard. even though the electoral college may not voice your opinion at least you tried to make a difference in your next president. -Kyle Graulus
vote or die P Diddy
Voting is the power of self governmnet by which we choose policy makers in our nation -Nate
Vote for who you feel will do the best. Don't be swayed by what other people think, its your voice make it heard. -Sarah Newberry
[I] feel alot of people vote without knowing the full background and what each candidate stands for on certain issues. Most vote due to what their friends tell them or family believe in without forming their own opinion. -Michelle Dobbs
A person needs to vote because without the vote, your voice isn't heard. -Lyssa McDonald
If you have the ability to Vote, but do not exercise your right to do so, then you have no right to complain about anything. -Zac Foxx
The state of Colorado is seen at this time to be the most prevalent state in the 2008 election. It's going to come down to us! I(WE) cannot stress enough the responsibility we each have as eligible voters. GET OUT AND VOTE! - Dixie Riddle, Kayla Matthews
Students have the chance to make the diference in this election - Eli Steiger
With my post I want to remind people that, we are the future. Stay active and educated. We are the people. -Maddie Rehn
Those who do not vote, have no right to complain about the outcome. -Daileigh D.
Lance Corporal Holly Ann Charette USMC killed in action June 23, 2005 at 20 years old. One of the countless people who have ensured and protected your right to vote by giving their life. You vote because she died. You vote because she cannot. You vote because you care.-Melissa L. Funke-McKenna SSgt USMC
Make sure you know all the facts and candidates for whatever your voting for, don't just do random voting at the poles cause every vote counts and ignorant uneducated votes throw off poles. United States is a government ran by the people, so be apart of your government and vote smart. As a women you should be proud that you have the power to vote because our ancestors suffered and fought hard for this right. -Cody Gruber and Jessica Jarvis!
If you want to see change in our government become educated on who and what you are voting for. Make your voice heard through voting! -Kristina Gould
We are lucky to live in a country where we have the opportunity to make change in our government-its important to use our right to vote to bring about that change. -erin angle
George Washington once said: "The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon." This is true for myself and should be true for YOU!!! -KYLE LEE TIMM
If you aren't going to vote, you lose the ablitly to "bad mouth" the president, because you didn't do anything to try and change who it was. Make sure you get out and vote!!!! -Chelsey Neumeier
Getting young people to vote, and care about their role in our democracy is so important. "be the change you wish to see"- young people can be such a powerful force in the world. Voting represents your right to an opinion! --Professor Molly Diachok-Mugglestone, Politics & Government and English
Vote to honor the memory of all the men and women who fought to give us that right. Take the time to know what the issues at hand are and know where you stand on those issues. Make your voice count by voting. -Selenia Rascón
