I Am the Vote That Matters

The time between graduation and starting a family can be a unique phase of preparation and pursuits. While focusing on a new marriage, contemplating additional schooling or searching for that ideal job, you may perceive another election as a lesson in how to sidestep a political circus. While it might seem that no number of political groups on Facebook or comedic routines on "Saturday Night Live" can convince you to care about this year's upcoming election, voting is still important. How you vote will affect you and your family's future.

Though our voting participation has slowly increased over the years, post-baby boomer generations are notorious for sitting out elections. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's responses to the November 2004 Current Population Survey, 72 percent of folks over 55 voted, while only 47 percent of those 18-24 and about 56 percent of those 25-34 voted. Why the discrepancy in age (besides the fact that older people are more likely to respond to these surveys)? The Census Bureau has a couple of ideas: moving and marriage.

Young people, the bureau reasons, are usually still trying to find their place — and spouse — in this world, and this is reflected in their voting trends. Since younger folks tend to move around a lot, they may fail to register or re-register to vote. And people are more likely to vote if they're preregistered. Likewise, married couples vote more than separated or single people do, and since young people are not as likely to be married, they vote less often than their older counterparts.

For the 20- and 30-something married couples reading this, though, you can hardly use these excuses. (If you've taken the time to read this magazine, certainly you can take the time to register.) Still, you may have a hard time connecting the ballot box to your desire for a positive future. Voting sounds like a boring, perhaps even insignificant, task, while raising a family is a worthy, empowering duty. Often, couples with busy schedules and torn priorities view voting as a drill that's irrelevant to the rest of their lives.

Many of my friends fall into three categories: those who don't know their worldview; those who do but don't act on it; and those who do know it and incorporate it into their lives. If you have a full understanding of your worldview but do not know how to make your core values relate to your everyday ventures, this article is for you. If you do, then let this be a gentle reminder.

A popular slogan in 2004, especially among evangelicals, was "Vote your values." While catchy, the mantra really means this: Know your worldview, and make sure your vote reflects it. This sounds simple and easy, because it is. You do this every day with the choices you make, whether it's which movie to see, where to attend graduate school, or how to spend or save your money. Now, apply this concept to voting.

Your worldview affects the way you think about everything, from marriage to finances to kids to voting. If you'd like to be a parent someday, the way you vote now will affect your children's lives. The people you vote for will enact legislation that will affect your child's schools, playgrounds, sports teams, employers.

To be clear: No one votes in a vacuum. When you do vote, make sure you truly "vote your values" so your marked ballot has maximum impact. First, identify what issues are important to you and where you stand on them — from taxes, security and the economy to education, marriage and abortion. If you're having trouble sorting out the complicated ones, visit citizenlink.com. Second, find out where the candidates stand on those issues. Look online, ask people you trust, even watch a few presidential debates. (I promise, it won't hurt!) Third, vote for the candidates and ballot initiatives that reflect your values. While you're at it, encourage your friends to vote as well.

Really, it's that simple. Your future children will thank you.