Congratulations and thank you!
It’s because of your vote President Donald J. Trump is back in the White House for a historic second term.
The high voter turnout was one of the keys to his successful re-election bid. But frankly, voter turnout is key to every election, from the White House and Congress, all the way down to your local school board and city council.
We all know someone who doesn’t vote. They claim their vote doesn’t matter. One vote isn’t going to make a difference. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Here are dozens of examples of elections decided by a single vote. https://www.npr.org/2018/11/03/663709392/why-every-vote-matters-the-elections-decided-by-a-single-vote-or-a-little-more
Your vote does matter and not just in Presidential elections. Historically, voter turnout drops precipitously in non-presidential elections. Many people believe it’s important to vote for President, but arguably it’s more import to vote in your local elections because they impact your life more directly. Your township board of trustees decides local assessments and road projects. Your local school board decides the curriculum your child or grandchild will be taught. Your local sheriff, prosecutor and elected judges will affect the crime rate in your community.
Most voters know the big elections are held in November. But the smaller, special elections are scheduled throughout the year. Last year, the Presidential Primary was held in February. This year, a special election for Parchment Schools is already scheduled for May 6th.
So how do you keep track of these smaller, but very important elections? Sign up for the “Permanent Mail Ballot List.” https://www.michigan.gov/sos/-/media/Project/Websites/sos/Elections/Election-Forms/Absent-Voter-Ballot-Application-Fillable.pdf?rev=4d217f56f6454564a484fbb715768a17&hash=FB07641F244259C5F9FE0D5AF58520D7 Fill out this form and check the box in section 2 to join the “Permanent Mail Ballot List.” You can then email the form back to the Secretary of State, mail the form to your local clerk’s office or bring the form in person to your clerk’s office.
Anytime there is an election you are eligible to vote in, you will receive an absentee ballot in the mail. It will be a great reminder that an important election is coming up in your community. And remember, you don’t have to vote absentee if you’re not comfortable with that method. You can take your ballot to your local polling precinct and vote in person.
Exercise your right to vote. Your vote matters.