Jason Smith: It's your vote- Exercise it

(From Eighth District Congressman Jason Smith)

Take a breath. Election day is finally here. This is not political persuasion. I am not here to ask you for your vote. On November 3rd, I am simply asking you TO VOTE.

This will no doubt be a historic election, in fact, it already is. In 2016, 140 million Americans cast their ballot for President of the United States, so far in 2020 over 84 million Americans have already used early voting to vote for their chosen candidate. 

While we know turnout will be high this election, it’s important we recognize that there are still so many of us who find an excuse every four years on that first Tuesday in November to not make it to the polls. 

In 2016, only 55.5% of the voting age population cast a vote – slightly higher than the 54.9% turnout 4 years earlier, but it is clear there is room to improve. 

It seems like everyone today has some sort of political opinion or ‘hot take’ they are ready to give on social media, but when it comes to actually climbing out from behind the keyboard and into the voting booth, we struggle to get close to full participation from our citizenry. 

 Since 1900, turnout percentages have fluctuated between lows of 49% and highs of 70% with the election of Richard Nixon in 1968 being the last time we broke 60% turnout.

We know how high the stakes are for this election and we know what it will mean for the direction of our country for the next 50 years. It is clear there are two vastly different visions for America on the ballot this week. 

Every vote matters, and your voice can’t be heard if you don’t participate. Don’t expect others to carry the responsibility of voting for you – it’s your right as an American to express your will at the voting booth. And we know your vote makes a difference, we don’t have to look past 2016 to see it. 

In 2016, the 16 electoral votes of Michigan were decided by 0.3% or roughly 13,000 votes out of almost 5 million cast. New Hampshire, and its 4 electoral votes were decided by 0.4% or 2,700 of 740,000 votes cast. Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes were decided by 27,000 votes of 3 million total ballots turned in. Pennsylvania, Arizona, Minnesota, Florida, the list goes on and on. 

Heck, we need look no further than here in Missouri where our race for U.S. Senator in 2016 was decided by 78,000 votes of over 2.8 million cast. 

In 2018, Democrats flipped 24 U.S. House seats by a combined total of 100,000 votes to deliver Nancy Pelosi the Speakership. In my first election to the Missouri General Assembly, I won one of our southern Missouri counties by a single vote. Every.Vote.Matters.

Study the candidates who are on the ballot this week. Learn their positions, asks questions and see who most aligns with your beliefs and morals, and then cast your vote. 

In Missouri, there are multiple options to vote early, and our polling locations open at 6am on election day and remain open till 7pm, allowing anyone in line at that time to vote. 

If you need more information about how to vote, what type of identification is needed, where to vote, or voter assistance, contact our Secretary of State’s office at (573) 751-4936 or visit: https://www.sos.mo.gov/ No other country in the world has the history with democracy founded in liberty like we do. No other county has the history with free, fair, and open elections like we do. It is your right to vote, exercise it!