Why Vote? Here’s What 12 Famous People Have To Say


Many Americans are discouraged from voting. Some feel it’s hopeless, and others simply are disengaged from politics. In 2014, America experienced the lowest voter turnout since WWII, according to the United States Elections Project.

So why vote? Here’s what 12 famous people had to say.

1st June 1928: American statesman Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882 - 1945) smiling when he heard that he was leading the contest for Governor of New York State. He later became the 32nd President of the USA. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
1st June 1928: American statesman Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882 – 1945) smiling when he heard that he was leading the contest for Governor of New York State. He later became the 32nd President of the USA. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

By not voting, you’re taking away your rights

Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, said only the American people could deprive themselves from voting.

“Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves, and the only way they could do this is by not voting,” Roosevelt said.

14th April 1865: The assassination of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln by actor John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre, Washington DC. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
14th April 1865: The assassination of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln by actor John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theatre, Washington DC. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

If you don’t vote, be prepared for the consequences

Former president Abraham Lincoln said that, if people turn away from elections, they shouldn’t be surprised if they get burned.

“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters,” Lincoln said.

Voting is more effective than violence

Another quote from Lincoln argues that voting is more powerful than resorting to violence.

“The ballot is stronger than the bullet,” Lincoln said.

Those who vote decide the election

Political analyst Larry J. Sabato put this bluntly in his book Pendulum Swing.

“Every election is determined by the people who show up,” Sabato said.

In a capitalist society, organized democracy is all the people have

Author and journalist Matt Taibbi said that a lack of voter participation is dangerous in a free-market society.

“In a society governed passively by free markets and free elections, organized greed always defeats disorganized democracy,” Taibbi said.

CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 27: Democratic presidential candidate and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks to guests gathered for a campaign meeting on the campus of Case Western Reserve University on August 27, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. Clinton highlighted womens issues during her first official campaign stop in Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 27: Democratic presidential candidate and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks to guests gathered for a campaign meeting on the campus of Case Western Reserve University on August 27, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. Clinton highlighted womens issues during her first official campaign stop in Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

Voting is our most precious right

At least, that’s what Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton said.

“Voting is the most precious right of every citizen,” Clinton said. “And we have a moral obligation to ensure the integrity of our voting process.”

circa 1963: American poet Robert Frost (1874 - 1963) sits at a microphone, reading from a piece of paper. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
circa 1963: American poet Robert Frost (1874 – 1963) sits at a microphone, reading from a piece of paper. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Voting isn’t thinking

Famous American poet Robert Frost said voting was separated from thinking.

“Thinking isn’t agreeing or disagreeing. That’s voting,” Frost said.

Lithuanian born American anarchist Emma Goldman (1869 - 1940) also known as 'Red Emma'. Original Publication: People Disc - HD0237 (Photo by General Photographic Agency/Getty Images)
Lithuanian born American anarchist Emma Goldman (1869 – 1940) also known as ‘Red Emma’. Original Publication: People Disc – HD0237 (Photo by General Photographic Agency/Getty Images)

If voting really mattered, it’d be illegal

Famed anarchist, feminist and labor activist Emma Goldman thought voting wasn’t enough to bring about change.

“If voting changed anything, they’d make it illegal,” Goldman said.

Voting shows our commitment to one another

New York Times bestselling author Sharon Salzberg thinks the act of voting demonstrates unity as a society.

“Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, one another, this country and this world,” Salzberg said.

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Music recording artist Lupe Fiasco performs at "Born In Blue: Remixed And Reissued" exhibition opening, exploring 75 years of Blue Note Records at Sonos Studio on September 10, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chris Weeks/Getty Images for Sonos)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 10: Music recording artist Lupe Fiasco performs at “Born In Blue: Remixed And Reissued” exhibition opening, exploring 75 years of Blue Note Records at Sonos Studio on September 10, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chris Weeks/Getty Images for Sonos)

Voting doesn’t bring about change

Rapper and record producer Lupe Fiasco said he thinks technology brings about change, not voting.

“All the big revolutions, whether it’s the Industrial Revolution, the Arab Spring, those changes happened by economic and social shifts brought about by the people’s voices, and those things weren’t voted for,” Fiasco said. “Most of our changes today are brought about through technology, not by voting.”

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 31: Rapper 2 Chainz attends DirecTV Super Saturday Night hosted by Mark Cuban's AXS TV and Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan at Pendergast Family Farm on January 31, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for DirecTV)
GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 31: Rapper 2 Chainz attends DirecTV Super Saturday Night hosted by Mark Cuban’s AXS TV and Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan at Pendergast Family Farm on January 31, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for DirecTV)

Ex-felons can actually vote

Rapper Two Chainz realized in 2008 that some ex-felons can vote, contrary to the popular myth.

“I had incorrectly, for all of my adult life until 2008, believed the biggest voting myth that exists – that ex-felons cannot vote,” Two Chainz said.

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 22: U.S. President Barack Obama meets with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in the Oval Office of the White House on May 26,2015 in Washington, DC. Obama said the United States is working closely with NATO in the fight against ISIL. (Photo by Dennis Brack-Pool/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 22: U.S. President Barack Obama meets with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in the Oval Office of the White House on May 26,2015 in Washington, DC. Obama said the United States is working closely with NATO in the fight against ISIL. (Photo by Dennis Brack-Pool/Getty Images)

Voting creates the public opinion, which influences decisions

At least, that’s what the former Prime Minister of Norway Jens Stoltenberg thinks.

“By voting, we add our voice to the chorus that forms opinions and the basis for actions,” Stoltenberg said.

VENICE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 10: Jury member David Bryne attends the Closing Ceremony during the 68th Venice Film Festival at Palazzo del Cinema on September 10, 2011 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
VENICE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 10: Jury member David Bryne attends the Closing Ceremony during the 68th Venice Film Festival at Palazzo del Cinema on September 10, 2011 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

The voting booth is where all kinds of people gather

Former Talking Heads lead singer David Bryne points out that on election day all sorts of people gather as equals.

“The voting booth joint is a great leveler; the whole neighborhood – rich, poor, old, young, decrepit and spunky – they all turn out in one day,” Bryne said.

[Header Image via Joshua Lott/Getty Images]

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