I don’t care how much you hate politics. If you are eligible, you need to vote in the upcoming presidential election.
If you are eligible to vote and choose not to, please take a moment to contact me to explain your reasoning.
I’m really interested to find out if I can empathize with anyone’s choice to disregard such a privilege. Right now, I don’t think I can.
I overheard responses like “Don’t worry about it” and “No, excuse me” to somebody who was doing nonpartisan voter registration after he asked passersby if they were registered to vote.
I stared with my mouth agape as the last person to reject the worker ran to catch a bus that would return in another 15 minutes.
The sentiment toward our country would be so much better if everyone had that same determination regarding voting and if they rushed to cast ballots instead.
It also hurts me to know that people blatantly lie when others go out of their way to see that everyone eligible votes.
To “not like” either of the candidates or parties is not a valid excuse.
For the pessimists out there, remember that nothing in this world is perfect. It never has been, and it never will be.
Life itself is about making choices.
Each day, we have to choose between the lesser of two evils, the greater of two goods, whatever will in the end offer the greatest benefit at the least expense.
Of all the reasons and excuses I’ve heard defending voting avoidance, I find none of them reasonable or justifiable.
Neglecting the opportunity to vote is not only selfish but extremely ungrateful. Remember that people went to extremes to fight for this right. Even if you don’t personally identify with one of those specific groups, respect the nation you live in by participating in voting.
People in places across the world do not have many of the rights, privileges and opportunities we do, let alone a say in government.
Young people especially should know that many of the platform issues in this election will affect their current and future lives as students, employees, possible parents and more.
Maybe voting should be federally required, like filing taxes.
I wonder how much voter turnout would increase by if voting were a requirement to receive Federal Pell Grants, student loans, food stamps, affordable health insurance or any other government assistance.
It’s sad and confusing that people have to coerce others into doing something that will ultimately benefit them.
I can’t understand what is so scary about voting.
We should be thankful to live in a place where there are no threats made against us and no negative consequences for playing our role as informed and involved citizens.
Voting in this election is critical enough that you should take a little time out of your day to register and vote when the time comes.
The deadline to register in Florida is Oct. 9.
If you walk outside your door between now and then, I can almost guarantee you somebody will approach you about voter registration.
If your registration is nonexistent or not current (most commonly regarding your address), take advantage of the convenience, and fix it.
If you choose to stay registered in a county other than that of your current residence, be sure to request an absentee ballot, and submit it in a timely manner.
To those who understand the importance of voting, please continue to educate others, and encourage them to make their voices heard. Be persistent, although trying to persuade that one unyielding friend to cast his or her ballot can feel like pulling teeth.
To those who need a push: Stop being stubborn. Register to vote and show up to cast your ballot once the polls open.
Not everyone gets this opportunity.
Anayo Ordu is an advertising sophomore at UF. Her column appears on Tuesdays. You can contact her at opinions@alligator.org.
