Oklahomans: Get Out and Vote
By Taylor Barrick
Empire Elementary, Duncan
Sixth Grade

There will always be elections, from student council representatives in grade school to the highest office to be held: president of the United States. The government (weather it’s in Washington, D.C., in your state, hometown or in your school) affects all of us in our everyday life. Citizens can and should voice their opinion through voting. Elections are well worth all the time and energy that it takes to have them because you should have the opportunity to say what’s important to you.

Elections are the only way that most people have to let their voices be heard in government. Since our representatives write and pass laws without being able to contact all of the citizens in their districts, the only way that citizens can play a role is to vote for the person who will best represent them. After you have studied all the facts, you try and make your best educated decision when you vote.

Some countries are ruled by individuals, without elections. Since these dictators don’t have to be elected, they don’t worry about what is best for their citizens. They only worry about what is best for them. Usually, countries that don’t have elections and are ruled by dictators are very poor countries. In other words, the people in the country might be poor while the dictator is rich. To me, that is not right.

Each of us (when we’re old enough) has one and only one vote. Voting is one of the few times when all adults in the United States have an equal say. No matter how much money you have in the bank or who your friends are, you still only have one vote. It is very important to get involved and be heard now, even if you are too young to vote. The people in office now are making decisions that will affect your life now and later.

Remember with every sunrise we have a choice to make things right! So get out and make your voice heard…VOTE!