Article by Charli Sorenson
Let’s talk about myths. A myth in this context is ‘a widely held but false belief or idea’. All too often, when the League of Women Voters volunteers are in the community registering voters, we frequently hear many voting myths.
Voting Myth #1: “My vote doesn’t count”
If everyone believed this myth, what would change? No one would vote, and our democracy would be functionally dead.
If no one believed this myth, what would change? We would presumably have a more diverse and representative legislature, city councils, school boards, and more. We would presumably have more equitable laws and ordinances..
Who benefits from this myth? The status quo/current power structure, without question. In some elections, voters in some populations are bombarded with ads designed to keep them from voting. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, online voter suppression takes three broad forms: deception about how/when to vote, calls to boycott voting, threatening and intimidating voters.
In the 2024 August primary election, just 42% of the Kittitas County ballots were returned.
Voting Myth #1A: “I’m just a red dot in a blue district” (Or a blue dot in a red district)
So my vote doesn’t matter.
Your vote is still important because it shows another viewpoint. Your elected representative represents everyone in the District – both those who voted for them and those who did not. Ethical elected officials know that they need to hear from all those within their districts, so vote to be heard!
Voting Myth #2: “I am withholding my vote as a protest”
…Against whatever social/economic/political/financial issue of the moment.
If everyone believed this myth, what would change? Those most in need and desiring a particular change would be removed from important conversations around those issues.
If no one believed this myth, what would change? Voting officials into positions of power who can make a needed change.
Who benefits from this myth? Again, the status quo. The current power structure benefits when you don’t vote as a protest. When you withhold your vote, you allow others to make decisions that directly affect you. When you do not vote, your voice and your perspective are removed from decision making.
The best possible protest is to vote, elect someone and then hold them accountable to make the changes you need. Trust me here, elected officials are more responsive to voters than to nonvoters.
Vote the change you need and want. Encourage your friends and family to do the same. It is the best possible way to create an inclusive and equitable community.
Be a voter, make a difference. If your vote did not count, there would not be so much invested in convincing you not to vote!
This article was co-published by Ellensburg Daily Record Newspaper on October 26, 2024. Charli Sorenson is the past President of the Kittitas County League of Women Voters. She has also served on the Ellensburg Affordable Housing Commission, Kittitas County Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee, and Kittitas County Elections Disability Advisory Committee. She lives in Kittitas County with her long-suffering husband of 47 years.