Trina Roundy

Humanities 1100
Professor Frances
Civic Engagement

My Vote Counts
Election 2017

My Civic Engagement was exercising my right to vote, which I consider not

only a right, but a responsibility and a privilege. I was fortunate that this was an

election year, and got to participate in the local elections of my new city

representatives; new in the sense that I just bought a home in this community.

Election Day was November 7, 2017 this year, and I chose to use my vote-by-

mail ballot, but drop it off on Election Day to a designated ballot drop-off location, one of 17

in the valley this year. Voting as a new member of this community I believe is essential, to go

right out of the gate and do my best to make West Valley the best we can, by choosing good reps

who support the same values and ideals that I do. I vetted all the candidates closely and

carefully, before making my choices. Then we sealed up the envelope and as you can see by my

picture, my little assistant placed it in the official ballot box for me. Im not actually sure that is

legal, but its the 21st Century, and I was taking the photo; and none of the polling officials said

anything. (Because, look how cute she is. Haha) I admit that sadly, I did not go to the polls in

person because of the society we now live in; I was scared to take my daughter and stand in line

in any public political forum. I still used the new way as a lesson for her to value her civic

rights and duties.

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 I think the theme we studied during the semester that most closely represents my civic

engagement of voting is Theme 1, Freedom, Responsibility, and Justice. In Bill of

Responsibilities, by the Freedoms Foundation, Number 8. resonates to this:

8. To participate constructively in the nations political life. Democracy depends on active

citizenry. It depends equally on an informed citizenry. (It Begins with our Questions p. 204) I

feel like I demonstrated both requisites in my voting experience this year. I voted. And I got

information on candidates that I didnt know and sought to understand their objectives and

platforms.

I am very passionate about our right to vote for our leaders and representatives. I feel

that any and every citizen deserves to be heard and have a chance to change their lives from the

inside out via their voice of vote. I feel like it is the only way to affect change, to give a voice to

the unheard, to drive our society the way we hope it will go. Majority rules and that is okay,

because sometimes the minority isnt that minor; and that opens dialogue. Not on Facebook;

meaningful open dialogue by all parties.

I choose to participate in every election Im afforded the opportunity to. I have voted in

every election that I can think of for the past 30 years. Sometimes I vote for the winner,

sometimes I vote for the loser, but the important thing to always remember not everyone on

this planet has the chance for choice. To me its not only something I enjoy, but something I

treasure.

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 Works Cited

It Begins with Our Questions, The Humanities as a Call to Action, Paul C. Allen, Clair Peterson,

1995, Bill of Responsibilities. Freedoms Foundation, 1942. p. 204