Taking Advantage of Your 26th Amendment Right

In 1971, the 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution gave everyone 18 years of age or older the right to vote. The youth vote is of great importance because of as more young people vote, the more we will see our elected officials actually have concern for the things that matter to us (especially since we are also the group who tends to do a lot of complaining when things don't go our way).

 The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.

 --26th Amendment of the United States Constitution

American citizens, especially the the youth, must realize that elected officials make a ton of decisions, everyday, that directly affect our lives.  Congress, the President, and other federal and local leaders elected decide whether to raise taxes, lower taxes, create economic policies that could affect jobs, and make decisions on when, or if, it is appropriate to use military force (in other countries or on our home front).

 
Whether you are interested in politics or not -- These are all basic, yet very important, issues that we must use our rights as American citizens to decide on ourselves.

Voting really is one of the greatest rights of any free people to have.  It's what makes America a country with a "government of the people, by the people, and FOR the people," as Abe Lincoln stated in the 1863 Gettysburg Address.  Voting gives people the power to choose who they want in power.

Accountability seems to have become a huge issue within these past few years, especially with members of Congress sneaking around, stealing money, and engaging in other various unlawful activities.  Luckily, however, your vote holds your local and national leaders responsible for the decisions they make.  In this sense, the accountability question is answered: it is the fault of the civil official for not keeping his/her promises to the constituents.

If you are not exactly sure what people in the 7th District of North Carolina are voting on today, here are my two previous posts on a couple of the main issues that will be on today's ballot:


Amendment One.
Congressional Republican Nominee


Please make sure to go vote today -- It takes five minutes, and you will certainly not regret it.

There are so many polling locations, I am confident that at least one of them will be convenient for you:


New Hanover County Polling Locations


Happy Voting.