Virginia State Board of Elections : Top Ten Reasons

Top Reasons Why People Don’t Vote

(and ten reasons why those ten reasons don’t matter!)

10. I don’t know if I’m even registered.

• The State Board of Elections website has information on how to find out if you are registered! http://www2.sbe.virginia.gov/VotReg/VR_Confirmation/Default.html

9. I forgot to register.

• You must register 29 days before a general election in order to vote in that election, so make sure that you register in time for next time! Visit the State Board of Elections’ website for information on how to get registered! http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Voter_Information/Registering_to_Vote/Index.html

8. I don’t know the candidates.

• Taking a few minutes to watch the news, browse the political section of the newspaper online or listening to the radio on the way to school can help you feel more connected to the candidates.

7. I have never voted before.

·          Start now! It can be like an early New Year’s Resolution, only one that you keep!

6. No one I know is voting.

·          Lead by example. The more young people vote, the more their issues will become a priority to lawmakers.

5. I don’t know where to go to vote.

·          This one’s easy…go to http://www.sbe.state.va.us/VotReg/Polling_Place/Polling_Place_Lookup_request.htm to find out where your polling place is.

4. I am afraid I won’t know what to do when I get inside the polling place.

·          Don’t be afraid. No one’s going to poke you in the eye or anything. When you go into the polling place, there will be plenty of people ready to help you.

3. I don’t have the time.

• Voting generally only takes a few minutes and it feels great!

2. My vote doesn’t make a difference.
   • Some elections are decided by a very small number of votes – so every vote really does count!

1. The weather is bad.

• Oh come on! You won’t melt after all!