WHY SHOULD I VOTE?

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING…

• After the outcome of the 1824 presidential election between John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson was in question, one vote delivered the Electoral College to Adams!
• Texas was admitted as the 28th state in 1845 by just one vote!
• When President James K. Polk asked the U.S. Senate for a Declaration of War against Mexico in 1846, the Senate sent the country to war by just one vote!
• Alaska became a territory in 1867 by one vote!
• President Andrew Johnson was saved from impeachment by just one vote in the U.S. Senate in 1868!
• The special commission convened to determine the outcome of the contested Electoral College in 1876 gave the presidency to Rutherford B. Hayes by just one vote!
• One vote in 1920 gave women the right to vote!
• One vote made Adolf Hitler the leader of Germany 's Nazi Party!
• Had one vote in each precinct in California and Ohio gone to Thomas E. Dewey rather than Harry S. Truman, Truman would have lost the 1948 presidential election!
• John F. Kennedy defeated Richard Nixon in 1960 by a margin of less than one vote per precinct nationwide!
• Only 537 votes in Florida decided the outcome of the 2000 presidential election!

For more information on a single vote making a difference, go to PBS Kids Democracy Project .

THREE REASONS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO VOTE

Reason 1. Reinstating the military draft

• Senate bill 89 and House bill 163 are two pieces of legislation that were introduced in the U.S. Congress in 2003 that would reinstate the draft.
• The draft requires every man and every woman to serve a minimum of two years.
• In 2001, a "smart border" declaration was signed preventing those trying to avoid the draft from escaping to Canada.
• For college students who are called to serve, undergraduate students who are not seniors will only be able to finish the semester before serving; seniors will only have until the end of the current academic year before being required to serve.

Reason 2. Banning "21 and under" from bars and clubs

• In 1997, the City of Fort Lauderdale passed a ban that prohibited individuals under the age of 21 from entering a bar or club.
• Previously, anyone age 18 and older was allowed to enter.
• The city commissioner who proposed the municipal ordinance spoke during a commission meeting prior to the final vote. When young people showed up and began protesting the ban, the commissioner quieted the protesters by asking: "How many of you voted in the last election?"
• The City of West Palm Beach enacted a similar ordinance in 2004. However, it contained an exception that allows persons under the age of 21 to attend concerts held at bars and clubs, with certain provisions.

Reason 3. The state of college education

• Almost every year in the Florida State Legislature there are battles over the continuation of the Bright Futures program, a program for academically "bright" students from Florida that pays for part of their costs to attend college in our state.
• The Bright Futures program is funded by money from the Florida Lottery, money some politicians would prefer to spend on other state programs.
• The program that offers Florida residents the opportunity to "pre pay" the costs of tuition at a university in our state is in jeopardy.
• The costs of a college education in Florida – and throughout the country – continue to rise.

THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND THE RESPONSIBILITY TO VOTE

Voting is an essential part of democracy. It is every American citizen's fundamental right to be able to voice their opinion and take part in electing public officials. By voting, people take a stand and help decide who represents them and how their government works. Also, citizens not only have rights , but with these rights come responsibilities . Citizenship means participating in the political process by being an informed and active member of society.

Voting rights have come a long way. The first presidential election in 1789 only allowed white males who owned property to vote. After a long struggle for equal rights, African Americans, Hispanics, women and others have been granted their right to vote and fully participate in government.

Today, any U.S. citizen 18 years old or older can legally vote. However, in the 2000 presidential election only 51% of the voting population actually voted. This is troubling given the fact that each vote often does count and can make a difference in who is elected to office.

It is easy to register to vote and the process of actually casting a vote in an election is just as easy. One does not need to take or pass a test, pay a fee, drive a long distance, or set aside more than a few minutes in order to vote. Registering to vote and voting are quick and easy, and there are even individuals whose job it is (along with countless volunteers) to assist you in both tasks. The same can be said of learning about the issues and staying informed.

This website is designed to show you how to register to vote, how to vote, and how elections work. We also hope you will both think about civic participation and get involved in the political process.