Why I Didn’t Vote for 10 Years

In the 2020 US presidential election, a full third of the population didn’t vote — that’s 80 million people.  While some of those expressed it was due to not being registered, the majority of those surveyed said it was due to something like apathy or the feeling that their vote doesn’t matter.

I can relate, as I didn’t vote for the entirety of my 20s.  Interestingly, this non-voting stance came through a deep study of the history of empires, colonialism, the USA, and the modern-day workings of the global economy.  In the year in a half I spent studying and volunteering in Latin America, I was immersed in communities on the other side of global inequity.  I saw firsthand a poverty I haven’t seen in the USA, even though I’m sure dire poverty exists here as well.

With the presidential elections, I felt as if I couldn’t vote for the things I most wanted to change — a nation fueled by war and generally representing the interests of large corporations and the wealthy.

At the core, Republicans and Democrats seemed to represent the same underlying system.  I felt angry, disenfranchised, despondent, and apathetic.  It felt like voting wouldn’t make a difference in the face of gross wealth/power inequality and the lack of genuine social mobility.  I figured I was bound to be a statistic one way or another, and if the primary choices were Republican, Democrat, or disenfranchised, I would cast my vote for the latter category.  

I share this to say if you’re feeling apathetic, whether you do vote or not, I get it.  I have lived that reality.  However, at some point, I started to think differently, as much a good reason to vote as understanding civic engagement as much more than just voting.

 

Why I Started Voting

In my early 20’s, the basic idea from Howard Zinn’s, “A People’s History of the United States” was lodged in the back of my mind.  He said history was generally written by the victors, so he aspired to write a historical narrative from the perspective of the others; namely, the oppressed.

As I delved more deeply into Buddhism, I kept hearing the message of “aspiring for the liberation of all beings.”  It struck me that in the same way that Howard Zinn wrote a history of the oppressed, couldn’t I also engage civically for the oppressed?  

Largely due to my various forms of privilege, maybe I can get by just fine with whatever the current policy is on LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare access, student debt, racial discrimination, environmental protections, housing affordability, climate change, and so on.  However, as I began to expand my sense of identity and care, it struck me more and more profoundly that these topics mattered deeply to many people.  Who is president, senator, congressperson, or even community alderperson, actually makes a significant difference in many people’s lives.  This matters.

In turn, I now ask myself, “which candidate puts forth a platform of the greatest amount of non-harming and well-being to all individuals of this country and the globe, both those alive and the descendants of those alive, but particularly those of the most vulnerable and oppressed.”  I look at a particular politician’s relationship the economy, environment, anti-oppression, war, and the like.  As capitalism is the driving engine of this country, I  try to pay special attention to the deep implications of various economic policies, beyond the glitz and glamor of the headlines — like, who actually benefits, and to what degree? 

Anyhow, everyone has their own perspective on “why vote?” or not, but for me, it’s all about reducing harm & suffering, particularly for the most vulnerable members of society.

I really do believe that my slip of paper makes a difference, even if small.

 

Politics Beyond Voting

The reason to vote is to make a difference in the world, but there are many ways to do this beyond casting a vote.

On the simplest level, it comes down to generosity of time, service, money, spirit, and attention, among other possibilities.  

Volunteering and offering service is a low-hanging fruit, and this could mean something as simple as helping out a neighbor with yard work.  Maybe you volunteer with a non-profit organization.  Maybe you get involved in social or political causes you care about.  Maybe you see your day job as service.  If you’re not sure where to put your energy, consider what skills you have or what causes interest you — start there!

Are you generous with your money?  Do you always pick the cheapest option, or do you choose the company/item that supports your values?  If you have an excess of resources or money, do you share them at all with people or communities in need?

In terms of spirit, attitude, and attention, what quality of presence do you bring into your relationships, workplace, and communities?  How to you relate to people who are homeless, mentally unstable, or difficult?  Can you listen, like really listen?  Can you bring a kind energy into all your interactions?

In the Buddhist sense, can you commit yourself to basic ethical standards, like not intentionally killing living beings, not lying, taking what hasn’t been freely given, being sexually inappropriate, intoxicating yourself, and abstaining from harsh and divisive speech, among other basic ethical principles?

I think how you engage in all of the above ways is much more telling than what your political beliefs are.