Ahead of the November 3 elections, Democracy Works is committed to building voter confidence. Through our tools and partnerships, we’re ensuring voters have the information they need to understand the process and make a plan to vote. In the final edition of this series, we’re explaining why voting makes a difference.
For most people, engaging with democracy starts with voting.
Although civic engagement involves more than participating in elections, voting is one of the most important—and easiest—ways to shape your community, express your priorities, and defend your values. And Americans broadly agree that the right to vote is foundational to who we are as a country.
Yet, several metrics suggest the United States is failing to live up to those democratic aspirations in practice. According to a survey earlier this year, just 30 percent of respondents are satisfied with the way democracy is working in the US. Historically, US voter turnout has lagged behind many peer countries that are democracies.
The issue is particularly acute for young people. According to a recent survey of Americans between 18-29, 40% have little or no trust that this year’s midterm elections will be conducted fairly and accurately, compared to 34% who do. Among those who don’t plan to vote, 43% feel that participation makes little or no difference.
At Democracy Works, we empower millions of Americans to vote with confidence—but why do we do it? On the eve of Tuesday’s midterm elections, we’re explaining why participation matters.
Build a Stronger, More Representative Democracy
At the most basic level, voting ensures that election results—and the candidates who take office—are more representative of all constituents.
This is especially true for local elections, which directly influence bread-and-butter issues like property taxes, education funding, housing policy, and municipal services. Voter turnout in local elections is typically much lower than presidential election cycles, and voters who participate in local races tend to be disproportionately older, more affluent, and white. Without robust turnout, critical community voices may be missing from the table.
Even when outcomes feel more distant, voting can also make a tangible difference in state and federal contests. In 2020, the election for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District was decided by just six votes. Such a close margin is exceedingly rare in state and federal contests, but it underscores the power of each voter. By casting a ballot, voters reserve their right to be the deciding vote.
Have a Say, Even When You Don’t Win
Healthy electoral competition, including losing, is an important part of democracy.
While it can be disappointing to support a candidate or cause that falls short, it doesn’t mean that someone’s vote was wasted. Election results capture a particular moment, but those conditions may change over time. Whether the margin of victory is 5 or 25 points, votes can be used to signal meaningful opposition among those casting a ballot.
During the previous midterm elections in 2022, when voter turnout was 46%, a majority of eligible voters—enough to sway the outcomes—stayed home. Millions of potential voters did not participate, and as a result, their preferences weren’t reflected in the final vote.
Hold Elected Officials Accountable
Every election is an opportunity to evaluate the performance of elected officials. At a time when many Americans doubt that elected leaders are held accountable adequately, voting is a means to scrutinize legislative records, evaluate promises, and penalize corruption and other ethics violations.
Of course, these efforts transcend any single election—holding elected officials accountable is a year-round part of civic engagement—but voting is a regular, built-in process to do so.
Vote on Tuesday
There are several reasons why someone may not vote—including work schedules, family obligations, administrative requirements, and other barriers that make it difficult to cast a ballot—but voter apathy doesn’t have to be one of them. Through our tools and partnerships, Democracy Works is helping Americans navigate the process, understand the stakes, and make a plan for Tuesday’s elections.
Before polls close on November 3, you can:
- Visit TurboVote.org to find your Election Day voting location, review your ballot, and understand your voting rights.
- Share TurboVote with your friends and family.
- Talk to your community about why voting is important.
By supporting our work, you can help connect voters across the country with the accurate guidance they need to vote with confidence. Elections matter, because our democracy is decided by those who participate.
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