First, it is important to know that the last day to register to vote in the June primaries is this Monday, May 23. San Diego County has seen a record turn out in registration this year and it is projected that between 734,000 and 778,000 people in San Diego County will hit the polls on June 7.
First, it is important to know that the last day to register to vote in the June primaries is this Monday, May 23. San Diego County has seen a record turn out in registration this year and it is projected that between 734,000 and 778,000 people in San Diego County will hit the polls on June 7.
As of Tuesday, the County mailed out 929, 832 mail-in ballots. This sudden surge of registered voters across the nation is mostly due to the ongoing circus of our presidential candidates. Both outsiders, Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump (mostly Sanders) are bringing in record numbers of new voters and it is easily understood why these two are pulling in the people. Many of us are tired of politics as usual. Both Sanders and Trump are pulling in voters that have never voted before, with Sanders in the lead of reaching young voters and getting them involved in the Democratic process. If I give Sanders credit for anything it is his ability to draw in this record number of young voters that I have never seen, but am thrilled to see them get involved in the process at a young age. And Trump is doing the same in bringing in new voters as his campaign is bringing in support from many who never thought their vote would make a difference.
With this ongoing circus of our presidential election, we are in for a wild a crazy ride once primaries are over. I do not believe I have ever seen such a calamity on the national level as we are witnessing now, and I have been an avid voter since 18.
It is important that everyone that is eligible to vote do so. Voting is a right as an American, and it is a privilege when compared to voting practices or lack of being able to vote for leaders in other countries. But most important, it is an obligation. Not liking candidates or feeling like your vote does not count is a sterile excuse for not voting. It has been proven time after time that every vote counts from the local to national level, with many local and national elections hanging on the balance of just a few votes or percentages that determine the outcome.
I’ll be the first to admit that I am not thrilled with any of our national candidates. They all have some good points, but they all have what I consider serious flaws in becoming the next president. But again, this is not a viable reason not to vote and let your voice be heard. It is sad to say, but most times you have to vote for the best candidate that you believe in even when the all of the choices are not up to par.
America is making it very clear on how they feel about this year’s presidential elections in record numbers and there is a lot of division among the voters in whom they want to sit in the Oval Office next term. But it is important not to let this overshadow what is happening right here locally. From your local city elections to the state, there are many important decisions to be made. Other than a few county seats, which can be determined in the primaries with a 50 percent or higher lead (a ludicrous County decision), there is a lot to consider when hitting the ballots in June and in November. For many people, decisions are already made but so much gets passed by default because voters do not understand the process and functions of many seats and propositions. It is just as important to look at local and state propositions very closely as in the end it can mean millions of dollars out of our pockets, and in most cases with propositions, it is deferred to our children’s pockets. I am astounded when I hear that people just check random boxes when it comes to propositions, electing local judges, and many other offices that they believe are not important or do not take the time to understand the role that these players will have in our local communities. So be informed. If you do not understand what a proposition will do, ask. If you are not sure what the primary role of an office is, find out. It is important that we all participate in the Democratic process of voting. There are no excuses, and apathy will lead to nothing worthwhile being done. You might not win your choice, but your voice will be heard. And if enough voice their opinions in the ballots on certain issues, it is more than likely to come around again with a different outcome. Change does not happen overnight, but with enough steam behind an issue it does over time.
