Now, more than two-hundred years after the American rebellion against despotism, won by intense commitment, courage, and sacrifice, the challenge is for our leaders to follow that example and for Americans to exercise the freedoms for which our Forefathers fought and died. Among the most important of these freedoms is the right to elect our leaders, thereby directing our government. If we don't vote, we lose our voice. 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.