Teddy James

AFA Journal staff writer

July-August 2012 – Eleven bodies lay dead in the streets of Cairo, Egypt, on May 2, 2012, as protestors joined together against their militaristic government. These people came together casting aside their desire for safety for a greater desire, freedom.

The protestors stood against a corrupt government that neglected their collective voice and rejected their right to vote. Like many throughout human history, the people recognized their rights were being held ransom for power and decided to do something about it.

Contrast those bloody protestors with voters in America. In 2010 only 37.8% of registered voters showed up to participate in running the country. That is average for midterm elections. During presidential elections, the average turnout goes up to 55%. That is slightly more than half of the registered public exercising a freedom those in Egypt are dying for. So what is keeping Americans from the polls?

I’m too busy.
It is true that some voters waited 10 hours in Ohio to vote in 2004. However in 2008, 70% of people waited under 10 minutes. Only 4% waited over an hour.

But even if a 4% chance of waiting is too scary, the government offers early voting. Different states and precincts have varying regulations for early and absentee voting, but the local Circuit Court has all the needed information.

Instead of wondering whether or not there is time to vote, perhaps the wiser question would be if there is time to forego voting. 

I don’t know who to vote for.
Never before in the span of history has information been more accessible. A quick internet search or visit to the Circuit Court will give voters a sample ballot. Armed with that, voters can educate themselves and make their decisions for November.

In every election season one or two issues overpower the others. 

To learn where candidates stand on these pivotal issues, AFA Action and several other organizations offer voter guides that are easy to understand. (See below.)

In today’s world, not being informed about the issues on a ballot is on the same level as a teenager not doing his homework. It’s not that he couldn’t, he just wasn’t interested enough to invest the time and effort into it.

One vote doesn’t matter.
Most people who use this excuse are specifically speaking of the Electoral College, but even in that context the individual vote has an impact on the outcome. 

Taken out of that context, to say that an individual voice cannot make a difference is simply uneducated. In 2006, during the Oklahoma state elections, Republican Todd Thomsen beat Democrat Darrel Nemeck by two votes. In Minnesota’s 2008 election for Senate, Democrat Al Franken defeated Republican Norm Coleman by 312 votes after two recounts. 

This November will be a pivotal point in the history of America. The outcomes of this election will have repercussions for generations who are not even born yet. It’s time to drop the excuses and participate in running this country, in influencing policy and making history.  

AFA Action is developing an online voter guide (to be posted at www.afaaction.net in September) for the national election and for several state elections. A panel of Christian leaders will grade each candidate from “A” to “F.” In addition to the grades, the guide will gather pertinent information about each candidate. 

Due to the large volume of information that will be offered, the guide will not be available in printed form.

For more information on incumbents only:
• Family Research Council www.frcaction.org/scorecard
• National Right to Life www.capwiz.com/nrlc/home