I am ashamed to say that it has taken me awhile to realize the importance and significance of voting. I haven’t always been an active participant. I voted in the presidential election in 2000 because I had just turned 18 four months prior. It was a big deal.
In the 2004 election, I was living in Florida and I was too lazy to complete the absentee ballot. I can’t believe I just admitted that out loud, but that’s the truth.
And as long as I’m clearing the air here, I didn’t even bother for non-presidential elections. Sigh.
In 2007, I was working in the marketing department of a large, well-respected law firm in town. One of our lawyers was running for governor and it was a big deal, of course. With all the promotion and general camaraderie at the firm, I became very interested in the election. I voted for him not only because he was an attorney where I worked, but because he was so genuine when talking with a peon like me. He won.
Though the experience ignited a sense of civic responsibility in me, I was still one of the naysayers convinced my vote didn’t count.
However, the 2008 presidential election coincided with the birth of my first child. He was due in mere weeks and the range of emotions I was feeling were magnified by the momentous election at hand.
I had a responsibility to my country and community, yes. It is a freedom that we enjoy in this country. It is a chance to honor history.
I had a responsibility to myself, yes. If I wanted a voice, I better have voted.
All those were pale in comparison to the responsibility I felt toward my unborn son. It would be my job to teach him right from wrong and teach him to be a good person. What a hypocrite I would be if I didn’t take an extra 20 minutes out of my day to simply vote.
I marched my 9 month pregnant self to the polls and voted. The worker standing at the door handed me an “I Voted” sticker and thanked me for ”voting for two.” I got chills. And I haven’t missed an election since.
Today, we got ourselves dressed and headed to the polls. With my little boy and baby girl in tow, I proudly fulfilled my responsibility to vote. I got to explain what I was doing and have some cute conversation with the boy. And we all wore our stickers out proudly!
Life happens when you take the time to honor your civic duty! Have you voted today?
© 2011, lifehappenswhen. All rights reserved.
I can comment:) We don’t have any elections taking place in my town today, but I love taking part when we do…and I always make sure to take my babies with me! It’s so important to show them the importance of their “voice”!
Thanks for stopping by, Ashley! It is a pretty neat lesson to teach our children! Of course, my little boy thought we were going to see a boat.
Leanne, I love each one of your blogs more than the next!! So glad u r doing this
I will definitely be following along!
Thanks, Meg!
Leanne! I’m very surprised you said that you didn’t vote in 2004 out loud…after all the pain and abuse we took that year! Either way, you stood up for what you believe in! (I was there, I witnessed it EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Yesterday I didn’t vote. All of the races in my district were uncontested except for one. That one race was between two district attorneys that I pretty much despise. It was a pretty sad turnout because of that reason. I usually vote because my grandfather came from Italy so we had the opportunity to grow up in a democracy.
Thanks for sharing!
I know…right!
We did suffer a great deal of abuse! Most days I really didn’t know what the heck anyone was talking about, I just said what I thought using my own common sense. I am glad that I’ve gained a better understanding of and respect for the voting process. We are truly a blessed nation!
Thanks for reading!
Ha ha..To this day, because of the conversations in our room about the election that year, I still have trouble talking to anyone about my political opinions!!