By Itunu Adebayo

Ever since this country was established, a system of democracy has been in place. While it is not perfect,  it is a system that stands the test of time, having guided our nation for over 200 years.  A democracy is a system of government that allows a population (through eligible members of a state) to make decisions for a nation. These “eligible members” are typically elected representatives that act as a voice for the people. When a new president is being selected, this system is used as a way for everyone’s choice to be accounted for. When people don’t exercise their right to vote, they willinging defer their choice to the “selected few” who are responsible for representing the people. Not voting completely defeats  the purpose of the democratic process, thus ultimately shifting the election results from what “the people” wanted to what the “selected few” needed to push forward a certain agenda. That is why it’s imperative for  those who are eligible, to vote.

In the 2012 general election, 241 million people were eligible to vote, yet only 130.2 million people actually voted. Statistically speaking, that’s about 42% of eligible voters whose choice was not taken into account which is basically saying close to half our voter population did not follow through when it mattered the most. Can we truly say that the 2012 election results capture the wants and desires of the people when close to half of the people did not show up to vote?  42% more votes is more than enough to alter any decisions being made for an election, and it is up to those individuals to understand the importance behind what it means to select a leader for our country. 

With the obstacles America has encountered so far in 2020, a new leader could be what either makes our nation better or breaks the nation even more. Choosing a leader based on how they approach policies regarding the pandemic, racial tensions, world affairs, and many others are the criteria that we “the people” need to take into account when voting.

With all these being taken into account, sometimes this system doesn’t reflect what “the people” want. In the 2016 election Clinton received about 2.9 million more votes nationwide while Trump received 30 states with 306 pledged electors out of 538. Despite Hillary having had the majority vote in terms of what “the people” wanted, because Trump had the majority in the electoral college, he won. This does not change the fact that the people’s vote is still important and put into consideration when deciding the president. That is why it is important to vote, don’t be part of the 42% of people not voting. Help get what the “people want”, not what the “selected few”.