"I Voted"

After turning in the ballot, receiving the iconic "I Voted" sticker means much more than what it says. Taking part in a phenomena that occurs only every four years is a big thing, but more importantly is taking an active part when so many others would chose to be passive and accept things as they come.

My first election means quite a bit, amid all the hype and pandemonium of people making their personal opinions heard. I too took part in sharing my thoughts on the candidates, the propositions, the measures, the consequences, ramifications, and how these would affect me personally as well as those around me.

It is unusual for some to passively vote; that is, to vote without much forethought or care of the outcomes. They still may take the sticker and place it above their hearts. Not to say this is anything particularly wrong with this, they are still serving their civic duty. But that same sticker doesn't mean much when voting this way. I can't say for sure how many do this as I did not go around looking over people's shoulders as they were making their marks (besides the fact that it is against the law).

Voting is a privilege as much as a civic duty. Voting reminds us that we are in control of our own fate, that it is up to us a community to make the decisions or elect those to make them for us. The "I Voted" sticker is a simple reminder of taking part in something bigger. Wear it with pride!