My Top 3 is a weekly post where I count down three things I love in a random category. This week, we’re looking my top three reasons to vote.

Normally, My Top 3 is a paid subscribers bonus post. Since I think this topic is important, I’ve removed the paywall for the week. If you’d like to keep receiving this post every Thursday, consider upgrading your subscription.

Tuesday, November 8 is Election Day in the United States. I’ve voted in every election I’ve been eligible for since I turned 18. Presidential or midterm, local or special, if there is a ballot to vote, I will do it. To me, it’s a point of pride that I always take part in the civic process. I see it as my duty as a citizen. (Along with jury duty, but I’m much less a fan of that one). Voting is one of the few nationalistic things I do.

National presidential election turnout sits around 55-60% of voters. Midterm elections, like this one, is closer to 40%. Some 80 million people didn’t bother to vote in the last election. 80 million! Whatever their reasons - whether as protest or problems with logistics - their voices were not counted in the creation of our government.

We should make it easier to vote, not harder. (But that is a rant for another day.) If you need a reason to vote in this midterm election, here are my top three.

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Donuts and Stickers

Voting is its own prize but getting stickers and donuts is a nice bonus. I am one of those people who adores getting the “I Voted” sticker after I cast my ballot. When I vote absentee or early, I hold on to my sticker to wear on Election Day itself. As a librarian, I like wearing it around the office as a reminder to our visitors that they can vote too! (Gives a nice prompt for me to help them find their registration status and/or polling place.)

Plus, while this may vary regionally, a lot of polling places are in schools, community centers, and churches. (I have issues with that last one - I am a strict separation of church and state person - but I get that space can be an issue.) These organizations often hold donut/bake sales as fundraisers on Election Day. I love buying a generic cake donut from a kid to help support the local schools.

To Be Informed

I like knowing what is going on in my area. Voting ensures that I stay up-to-date on local happenings. I hate guessing on my ballot and I never want to leave a vote blank. To that end, I pay attention to the news, local email lists, community groups, and civic organizations. I don’t know if I would do this if I didn’t have to vote on things.

When the local ballot book comes out, I pay attention to the candidates, resolutions, and other items. This keeps me informed not just so I can vote, but so I can be an active member of my community. I’ve learned about different aspects of our area simply because they were ballot items. Turns out, I have opinions on things I would have never considered if they didn’t come up for a vote.

Your Voice Matters

I can be as vocal as I want in a newsletter, on social media, or on my blog, but my voice is not officially counted until I submit my ballot. My voice matters. Your voice matters. Elections let us have a say in the leadership of this country. The civic process may be convoluted (and broken) but it still matters. I want my voice to be heard. We are a nation made of individuals. But we each can have a say in what happens.

You may think that one vote can’t make a difference. But it can. Votes are like snowflakes. One may seem inconsequential, but hundreds become a snowball, and thousands become an avalanche. Each snowflake is needed to gain momentum.

Also, I want to point out that, as a resident of the District of Columbia, I do not have representation in Congress. It sucks. Voting is one way I can scream that we matter. We are a city of just over 700,000 (more people than the state of Wyoming) and we don’t get a vote in Congress. If I can’t have that, I can at least vote on everything else to ensure my voice is included.

Next week, we’re taking on a topic that is much less lofty. I’ll be counting down my top three grammar things that I always need to look up.

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