Your Vote Matters to Everyone

Fighting a Losing Battle
It's true. Sometimes voting feels like we are fighting a losing battle. The whole act can be very discouraging. Every four years we are promised change, yet every four years the state of this country remains relatively the same, and in the case of this current administration, things are actually worse.

Accessing the Change we Want
The changes we desire won't happen overnight. Life simply does not work like that. Voting is a way for the citizens of a nation to express their prioritized values, and it serves as a time to appoint an individual to carry out the desires citizens in a nation need most. The ideology, the stance, and the agenda of the appointed president sets the tone for what proposed changes will actually become our new reality. Our vote or lack of voting either pushes us towards a more desirable future or a future that reflects this country's past atrocities, a past rooted in vast economic disparities between men and women, a past with various systemically racial injustices, and a past that encourages the displacement of individuals inhabiting a land they call home; worst of all, these unfortunate atrocities are still our present reality.

November 3rd, 2020, American citizens are tasked with a pivotal decision that affects the direction of this country. This opportunity only comes around every four years, making a decision of this caliber all the more important.

Mini History Lesson
The American government is divided into three branches. The president resides as head over the executive branch and is responsible for enforcing and carrying out laws of the land. The president is responsible for leading the citizens of the land, maintaining order, providing affordable, beneficial public services, providing and ensuring national security, and granting economic assistance to all people on American soil.

In 2016 Donald Trump was elected president of the United States of America. Though after almost four years of service, he has failed to fulfill his duty as leader of America, he is running for re-election as the Republican candidate in the 2020 election.

The Trump Administration
The American people aim to appoint a president whose intent is to reform this country so that all people have equal access to opportunities that will propel every individual towards his or her desirable future. An analysis taken this year by The 19th, a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom, revealed the gender wage gap between males and females- both the national average value and the value present within the Trump administration. The collected statistics reveal women working in the Trump administration make under 69 cents for every dollar received by male employees. The current national average is women earning 82 cents to every dollar earned by a male. Under the Obama administration, women earned 89 cents to every dollar earned by a male, and more of former President Barack Obama's female staffers earned over $100,000 than did his male employees. The fight for pay equality, a fight that has existed for so long, is in need of major reformation. As the wage gap between both genders continues to steadily increase, it is clear that the Trump administration has no desire or intention to lessen the gap.

This is just one example of the problematic nature of this administration.

It's Time to Vote
The 2020 presidential election is fast approaching. So to those questioning if their vote matters know this: the changes we desire can only be a reality once we are bold enough to cast our individual votes. Voting shows that we are choosing to stand behind individuals that have the power to grant us, the citizens of this country, with desperately needed reforms.

Take action today by registering to vote at vote.gov because your vote matters.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of WITI.

Opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of WITI.