The way we vote

A lot of people will be going to the polls today. But most won’t–and not because they aren’t holding elections in their community.

Voter turnout is ridiculously low in many parts of the country, particularly in local elections. And that means those that actually show up have disproportionate influence.

Of course we get to vote on lots of things each and every day by deciding what we give our time and attention to. And it’s easy to vote “no”.

It’s comfortable to play it safe. To hope someone else will do it. To stay in thought, rather than action. To ruminate on what could have been, or fantasize about what might be someday. To admire others good work from a distance. To be the critic, rather than the person in the arena. To tell ourselves that we will be ready to commit when various forces align that will make for the perfect moment to start. But we’re never ready.

The way we vote matters. And it turns out that in just about everything we are confronted with those that show up have disproportionate influence.

Originally published at stevenpdennis.com on November 7, 2017.