When I showed up for my first day of work this summer, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Now that I’m finishing my time here, I could not have wished for a better intern experience.
This summer, I’ve gotten to do so many cool things around the city because of my work. I got to see President Obama speak on the student loan interest rate issue. I was on the steps of the Supreme Court for the announcement of the Obamacare decision. I was lucky enough to attend a conference where I saw Zach Wahls, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, and Nancy Pelosi speak. Last week, I attended a meeting on Capitol Hill with the likes of Steny Hoyer, John Conyers, and John Lewis. The reason that I was able to attend this meeting is because I am an anomaly in the office – I am not registered to vote.
I am not registered to vote because of a photo ID law in my home state of Indiana. I recently moved to the state and have spent less than two weeks there because I go to college in New Hampshire. As such, I have not been able to get a state ID. When I return home this summer, I will get an ID and I will register to vote.
Before this summer, politics in general and the politics of voting seemed distant and unchangeable to me. I was unsure of how my voice and my vote would matter in the grand scheme of the political system. Working for Rock the Vote has changed that completely.
The things that I have done this summer have changed this for me. The experiences I listed above were things that I will never forget, but perhaps the work that I have done in the office this summer has been the most meaningful. Doing research on voting in every state in the nation and helping find out information about recent voter ID laws across the nation, such as in Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, and New Hampshire, I knew that I was making a difference. I was making a difference for thousands, maybe even millions, of people across the country who, like me, are currently disenfranchised due to a voter ID law.
My work in the office will also help people get registered to vote this year. By compiling data on voting in every state, Rock the Vote will be able to use that information to educate people as they try to navigate the voting process as I have.
People say you’re vote does not matter. They are wrong. Working for Rock the Vote this summer has proved this to me. Your vote is your voice in our democracy. The truth is, politicians represent us. They work for us. Without us, they would not have a job. I plan on using my voice this November, even despite the voter ID laws that have tried to block me from expressing my basest American right and voting. Just think, if your vote doesn’t matter, why are politicians trying so hard to block it?
Tags: student voting, voter ID, voter suppression, youth vote
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Blaze Joel Bio: Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com |
Joel,
I disagree that every vote matters, especially in our winner take all elections. I also disagree that if you vote you will get representation, because in reality, less than 50% of the voters will be represented, depending on who wins.
In addition most people aren’t going to decide on who is the very best candidate to vote for. They are going to decide between the lesser evil of a republican and a democrat. How does it feel to vote for the slightly less terrible choice? Like picking between liver and heart from a Thanksgiving turkey.
Seriously, Thank you for the job you do, but I don’t think it makes one bit of difference. If you convince more people to vote that is wonderful, and truly American. But all we are really doing is saying which group of powerful rich people, corporations, or lobbyists, we want to have sway in Washington. The average joe will still be underrepresented. Maybe in our lives we can change that, but for now, voting is more of a ritual than a difference maker.
-Nathan
So you appear to have spent your summer with only one side of the aisle. Not really surprised, but found it more interesting that you would be so forthcoming with your bias.