By Nancy Simon
Election Day is upon us.
Yet, despite the untold efforts – e.g., early voting, mailers, advertisements to guide citizens to the polls – in all likelihood, countless people will chose not to exercise this hard earned freedom.
In light of the unending complaints about those in office and disgust with the state of our public affairs, it seems astonishing that only 50% of the good folk of Illinois are expected to cast their vote on Election Day.
Granted it is not a presidential election but it is one with the potential to greatly impact Illinois.
So in light of the Land of Lincoln’s desperate need of repair and all the ballyhooing about the importance of showing up, why then such a mediocre anticipated voter turn-out, you ask?
Diverse and creative, the reasons, as to why close to half of Illinois’ nine million eligible voters will abstain include:
* disillusionment with the political process
* inconvenience of having to a) find and b) actually go to a polling location versus being able to do it online
* having voted in the last election or in the one before the last election
* not feeling strongly about any particular candidate
* failing to recognize any names (or offices) on the ballot, such as Busta Rhymes
* disdain for the new touch screen system
* upset about the budget cuts elimination of the “I Voted Today” stickers
What we as Americans may not realize is that not all citizens are presented with this prerogative.
Remarkably, in some parts of the world, voting is not merely considered a right of citizenship but as a citizens’ civic responsibility.
On the global front, to hone in the idea that voting is a duty, there are those countries, e.g., Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, Egypt, Fiji, Luxembourg, Turkey, Uruguay, et al, where voting in elections is compulsory and, as a mandatory activity, is regulated by electoral laws.
It is in these countries where non-voters run the risk of sanctions and fines ranging from a cool $3US in Switzerland and $7US in Peru to upwards of $20US in Argentina; $200US in Australia and a sweeping $500US in Cyprus.
While not an immediate consequence, should apathetic voters in some of these countries ignore paying fines, they then face the very real possibility of jail time.
Fortunately for us in the US, we have the luxury of voting if we feel so moved rather than being penalized if we fail to do so.
For this reason, we decided to offer some arresting enticements as to why the non-voting half of Illinoisans should consider upping their game by getting ‘up and off’ the couch and into the polling booth:
* Unique chance to pick either a Republican or Democratic gubernatorial candidate with all the qualities of a mudslinging sixth-grader.
* Amazing opportunity to cast your vote for an Illinois Senate candidate who has shown outrageous lapses in memory or for one has had highly consequential mishaps in judgment.
* Curious and curiouser, the irresistible prospect of selecting a Cook County Assessor who will give you a job if you are a friend or family member or the lone lawman who avows to clean up Cook County and sweep up all its debris?
* Still more alluring political contests to peak your interest: State Treasurer, Attorney General and, County Clerk, Secretary of State, just to name a few. Plus, need I mention the judgeship upon judgeship whose fate lies in your very own hands.
Just because the US government won’t penalize you if you don’t, we highly encourage to get out and vote – if, of course, you have not already done so during the early open voting period.
Regardless of whether your preferred candidates get elected into office, bear in mind your vote, along with offering you a way to express your civic point of view, could still make a heck a lot of difference.
If in doubt, think about the 2008 Minnesotan, neck-and-neck senatorial contest between Democratic Senatorial candidate Al Franken and Republican Norm Coleman. Separated by a slim 312 votes, Franken (after a much drawn-out recount) was finally heralded as the victor.
So, on Election Day, remember that you are good enough, smart enough and doggone it wise enough to choose Illinois’ next round of leaders. Well, you can only do so much – the candidates will also need to step it up a notch and do theirs.
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Comments welcome.
Posted on November 2, 2010