The views and opinions expressed in this editorial article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Post or Eagle Media. The editorial is intended to stimulate critical thinking and debate on issues of public interest and should be read with an open mind. Readers are encouraged to consider multiple sources of information and to form their own informed opinions.
By: SCOTT HILL
As the last few days before the primary election drop through the hourglass of time immortal, it is important to look at why we should vote. The concept of all adults having the right to vote is entrenched in our minds. However, it is not ubiquitous to our history as a country. For the first twelve years of our country, we operated under the “Articles of Confederation.” This loosely formed federal government helped satisfy the paranoia that early Americans had when considering a central government. It did not, however, lend itself to a country that could survive in turbulent times. Those first “Confederated” colonies each chose their own way of conducting elections, which emphasized their independence. This idea remained important even during the construction of our Constitution in 1788.
If you look at the original document, there is nowhere mentioned the right to vote. While the electoral college is identified as the way we choose a President, no uniform method is given for deciding the electors from the various states. Suspicion of the ability of some people to make good decisions led to restrictions on groups of people who were not white males. In fact, if you look at the timeline of our country, for much of its existence people of color and women were not allowed to vote. The 15th Amendment (1870) extended voting rights to men of all races. The 19th Amendment (1920) prohibited the states from denying the vote on the basis of sex. The 24th Amendment (1964) sought to remove barriers to voting by prohibiting a poll tax. Even so we still don’t allow every resident to vote.
Those people who are under the age of 18 are not considered of legal age and therefore have not yet achieved the right to vote. Foreign citizens who do not have legal citizenship in the United States are also not recognized as voters. Furthermore, incarcerated individuals have forfeited their voting rights by committing crimes. The conclusion is that voting is not a universal right, but rather is a privilege granted to those who are adult citizens of our country and have not been convicted of a felony.
Last week I expressed how important it is for Kansans to expand their vote to include the judicial branch of our government by voting YES on the amendment. This week I want to iterate the importance of casting your vote. Many eligible voters choose not to vote, especially in primary elections. The long history of our country that has expanded your opportunities indicates that we all should vote. The fact that we have a right to vote is only meaningful if we show up at the polls. Some express their displeasure with elected officials by not voting. While this may seem empowering to the individual, it actually takes the power to make change in our government away from the very person who is protesting their lack of power.
Next Tuesday, if you have not cast your ballot early, be sure to make time in your busy day to go to your polling place and fulfill the promise that in Kansas all power rests with the people. Make your preferences heard as you resound the heart and soul of our country: the concept that people who wish to live free have a responsibility to freely use their right to vote.