Your Vote Counts!

Why Vote? How can I register?

What does it really mean, if you snooze you lose? In the grand scheme of how our country runs, it boils down to the fact that each registered voter gets one vote. If we can convince a majority of others to vote the way we do, we win. If we sit back, fail to register and vote, it’s just like snoozing, we only have ourselves to blame if someone else’s agenda is moved ahead of our own.  Read more...

Therefore, if we pay taxes and want to ensure that government meets our priorities, we need to vote.

There is no cost to register and vote. However, to vote in the November election, people need to register at least 30 days before the election. They also have to be at least 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen, and they have to register where they live. If you are from Muskegon, you can only register to vote as a Muskegon resident. Registering can be accomplished in person with the Secretary of State, your city or township clerk, the county clerk, or online here.

In a democracy, citizens have the opportunity to vote on important issues and elect their representatives. That opportunity was hard fought and came later for women, the poor, and minorities. In 2008, a U.S. Census Bureau survey found that only 72 percent of Americans were even registered to vote, with only 63 percent of those individuals casting their vote.

This means around 45 percent of people participate in deciding on issues that represent the country in its entirety. When more people vote, they increase the chance that the issues that are important to them are taken seriously.

So, again, if you snooze, you lose. Don’t let happen to you. Register now and vote.