Today is Election Day! Elections are the one thing that separates a democracy from a dictatorship. Elections give people the right to control who their leaders are, remove them from office without the need for a revolution, and make decisions that affect society as a whole. Voting on election day is a great way to show our appreciation for these rights. Teachers know that elections are important for democracy. Without the election process, our democracy could not function.
As citizens, we should continuously strive to make our society better. We face many issues, and the only way we are able to fix them is to work for positive change. Voting is the best way to work for the changes we want to see occur. Voting is a privilege, but more than that, voting is a responsibility and a duty. To ensure the protection of our rights, we need to stay informed on the candidates and the issues, and then vote!
Every vote matters. Encourage your students who are of voting age to vote, too. Explain to them the importance of voting and why every vote matters. Teach them how to register, but, of course, we all know that teachers must be careful not to influence them in their choices of candidates or issues. No matter what age your students are, show them a good example. Let them know that you consider voting a civic responsibility, and that you will be voting today!
Finally, remember that living in a democracy does mean we always get our WAY, it means we always get our SAY. If the outcome of the elections is disappointing to you, accept the results for now, and know that you will have another opportunity to make the changes you would like to see in the next election.
Happy voting!
