The Declaration of Independence tells the world that it is the right of the American people to set the terms of our government. In our democracy, we exercise this right through the ballot box, by voting for our elected officials. Public participation is the cornerstone of our democratic form of government. Today, voting is easier than ever in history. We can register to vote when we get our driver's license renewed or by contacting our county elections office.
Early voting provides numerous options for casting the ballot.
Perhaps because they don't believe one vote matters or because they think that elected officials do not care, many Americans fail to exercise their right to vote. As a result, voter registration is up and voter participation is down. Nationwide only 55 percent of the voting population took part in the 1992 presidential election. In 1996, the number dropped below 50 percent. In Texas, our voting record is equally dismal.