Voting

When I was in a high school “Civics” course, we started out learning about democracy. We learned about the different political parties and their evolutions so we were familiar with their different approaches to problems. We also learned that as time passes the parties’ ideals change and sometimes they are nothing like when they started out. We learned about the proper procedures for debates and about using parliamentary procedures to hold meeting and debates.

As it was also a presidential election year, we were able to use some of our new found information viewing the campaign speeches and debates. The teacher was careful to present both sides of the campaigns and we were left to form our own conclusions. Of course, most of our opinions were influenced by our parents but only the facts were presented at school.

The grade school located across the athletic fields was a polling spot for our area. On election day, our class marched over to the grade school. In the front of the polling area was a sample ballot with all the candidates and ordinances to be voted on. We were exposed to , not only the presidential candidates, but the names of the local officials and voter questions being asked and voted on. Each of us looked over the ballots and made our selections in a mock election.

Years later this information has been helpful to me. I not only learned how to fill out a ballet, but also the importance of doing my own research before voting. Because of these lessons, I learned it is not just enough to listen to a candidate but to also be familiar with their party affiliations. If they have already held office, it is important to compare their campaign speeches and promises with their performance after their election.

I learned voting is an American right. It should not be taken lightly and everyone should do their own research and vote according to their own beliefs. In America, voting is also done privately. You do not have to reveal how you voted or why you voted that way unless you want to.