The time to vote has come, from Pleasantville to Palm Beach and from Kansas to California, the polls will open once again.  

It might be well-known why we vote, to voice your opinion, reaffirm your beliefs, or express a changed mind. There is the chance of a law being upheld or repealed, whatever you prefer. This time, the government will know.

While Pace is here in New York with many of us being from here, a large population comes from out of state. For example, all of the Chronicle Editors live out of New York except me. They are not voting on issues here. Should they need it, all of my friends are free to get an abortion here in New York State as it is already codified into law. I am the only one voting for the next Governor of New York, choosing between Governor Kathy Hochul and House Representative Lee Zeldin.

It is important to vote not just for people but for other issues. Do not forget to read both sides of your ballot, especially this cycle. Patience will have to be a virtue as millions of people have to wait in long lines for just 1-3 working machines and only 5 poll workers running everything. It can be frustrating, but as was seen for Democratic Party supporters in Georgia, your patience will be invaluable.

I highly recommend taking that trip back home or requesting that ballot. Everyone knows what is happening federally. How about for the state level? 

28 States’ Legislative Chambers are on the ballot including Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Arizona.

Multiple amendments, propositions, and acts will be up to the voters. In California, citizens can vote on creating a fund for removing greenhouse gases, officially the “Clean Cars and Clean Air Trust Fund.” Connecticut’s Ballot is a measure for implementing early voting. Down in Florida, a proposal to add a tax exemption of $50,000 for those who are teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other public service workers.

Political candidates, government policy, and the economy are important topics to all, no matter the age. It should be something you care about and is why ads are plastered all over websites you visit and before youtube videos you watch.  You may support one party, you may be a centrist who likes candidates of both parties. You may be anti-government and support neither, saying the parties are two sides of the same coin. All positions are okay, valid, and reasonable. However, should a candidate or a ballot measure that you do not support at all or feel is inferior to another, it will hurt you, people you know and you don’t know.

Now we are one person, with one vote. However, what happens if we get a mini Bush V. Gore? Do you know Senator Bernie Sanders? He won the 1981 Mayoral election of Burlington, Vermont by just 10 votes. Even if the candidates are not for your liking, still go to the ballot measures. Here In New York, we cast votes on creating an index for the true cost of living.

I urge you to make that trip if you live in the Tri-State Area, that being New York City and Westchester County, NY, Eastern New Jersey, and Eastern Pennsylvania. Long Island, N.Y. Folks too, and those in Connecticut, it would be best to take a trip home this weekend. We know how to get you there. For those whose home is much further, get in your cousins’, parents, uncles and aunties’ ears. Say what a vote for or against a measure means, and why they should circle in the first box and not the second. After all, it is why I wrote this article here. 

So good luck to your candidate, to the side of the proposition you support. May the best side win. And for those who do not heed my advice, know that refusing to vote eliminates your right to complain.