Reflections on the gift of voting

My team and I were recently reminiscing about our first time voting. When my turn came, I kept a straight face and joked, “I didn’t think Teddy Roosevelt was the right choice, but I voted for him anyway.” The room went quiet as everyone puzzled over it – until I admitted my first vote didn’t go back quite that far.

My real first vote was at P.S. 100 in New York City, during the Vietnam War, while I was in college. With the draft on my mind, voting felt intensely personal. I remember lying awake at night, wondering if I’d be called for duty and what that might mean for my future. Casting my ballot wasn’t just a right; it felt like a way to make my voice heard.

As we approach Election Day 2024, I find myself thinking about what an incredible gift voting is. Voting allows us to shape the world we live in. Generations before us fought for this right, and it’s now our duty to approach voting with gratitude and care.

The ritual of voting

In America, voting is a cherished ritual, much like other traditions we hold dear. Like all the activities around Halloween celebrations last week or the upcoming holiday season, voting is a recurring event that helps shape our identity. Voting, like all rituals, connects us to a broader community, reminding us that we’re part of something larger than ourselves.

When you vote, you’re not just ticking a box on a ballot. Activities begin well before Election Day, when you’re debating issues with friends and family, attending rallies, or reading up on candidate positions.

On Election Day, you may go to the polls with family members. And there you are, standing alongside neighbors with different opinions, united in your commitment to help define the course of your community and country.

Like other rituals, voting creates memories that can be shared across generations. When older people talk about past elections and votes, they instill in their children a sense of continuity and purpose. Such stories help them understand that their participation shapes the future.

An opportunity for connection

Voting is also an opportunity to strengthen personal connections.

Standing in line is a chance to connect with others. Strike up a conversation with the person next to you. You don’t have to talk politics (it’s probably best not to anyway). Instead, ask about your neighbor’s family, their favorite local spots, their work, or the weather – heck, ask if they recall the first time they voted. In these brief moments, you’ll likely find common ground with a stranger and discover you share more than you realize despite any political differences.

When my children were growing up, I always tried to make it a point to bring at least one of them with me to the polls. I explained my choices, shared my values, and showed them what it means to take part in a democracy as I mingled with other voters.

No matter what, vote

Democracy isn’t easy. Maintaining it takes effort, participation, and at times, patience. The act of voting represents something larger than just our individual choice; it’s about ensuring that the system continues to work for everyone. Each vote strengthens the foundation on which our country stands. Without voting, we risk losing the principles we hold dear.

When you stand in line to vote, look around. We all live in this country together; it’s like a big, shared house that we must take care of. The people standing next to you, whether they share your views or not, are part of that same house. Voting is a way to contribute to its upkeep, to make sure it’s strong and secure.

If you haven’t done so already, take the time to go cast your ballot tomorrow. As citizens, it’s our most sacred ritual and solemn responsibility.

All the best,

Jim