As we see Ukranians fight for their nation, we should ask: Do we value voting enough?
“Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. — Margaret Mead, cultural anthropologist
The scenes and stories of devastation in Ukraine are stunning and heart wrenching. Vastly outnumbered and outmanned, against all odds, the Ukrainians have fought to defend their homeland and their liberty. And it’s not just the military, but also regular citizens who are taking up arms and blocking the military advances, passionate that this fight is worth the cost.
Our own national story likewise began with a small colonial militia declaring independence from Great Britain, which had the largest military and navy in the world, for the cause of autonomy and liberty. In 1836, Texians made their stand for liberty at the Alamo, massively outnumbered and facing certain death.
Our American story is still being written as our national experiment of self-governance continues, the longest in history. Our founders knew the high price for independence, concluding the Declaration of Independence “with a firm reliance on the protection of the divine we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our Sacred Honor.”
In each of these instances, small groups of thoughtful, committed people took a stand for liberty, and they changed the world.
This month, Texas held primary elections to choose Democratic and Republican party nominees for the November general election. Did you vote? Chances are you did not, as only 16% of all registered voters in Tarrant County cast a ballot.
But were these committed citizens thoughtful in casting their ballots? Certainly, they were committed enough to go to a polling place or request and return a ballot by mail. But how much thought was given to who to vote for?
More than 260 candidates for offices from Congress to constable asked for your vote. Voters received massive amounts of information prior to Election Day from nearly every available source: mail, digital, signs, TV and radio. Nearly every candidate had a website and social media presence, and many had personal events to meet them and get to know them.
Experience tells me that very few people avail themselves of these opportunities to learn about the people offering to serve in these positions.
George Bernard Shaw said, “Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.” If we are careless and cavalier in our decision making for candidates, then we deserve government that is cavalier and careless.
Considering elections, if we are thoughtful in our decision-making on candidates, we would choose people who would move us in our desired direction. Public opinion polls suggest we are not satisfied with our elected leaders, despite re-electing incumbents most of the time.
Perhaps generalized polling is not geared to gauge the satisfaction at the local level, or perhaps those dissatisfied are not upset enough to cast a ballot. Perhaps they are not interested in the candidates on the ballot.
We don’t really know why so few people actually come out to vote, but I have hope that those who did were thoughtful and deliberative and that they will inspire others around them to take action and vote.
We have municipal and school board elections in early May, and primary runoffs later that month. There is still time to register to vote, if you haven’t already. Then, make an effort to learn about all the candidates.
I challenge you to be bold, be part of the grandest experiment in world history: Vote!
