Today is Election Day.
There has been a lot of energy leading up to this day, especially since this year is a Presidential election. Every election matters, and this year is no different. These critical races have the power to change the country’s direction and everyone should avail themselves of the opportunity to choose the leaders whose policies best support their views.
Voting in an election is a privilege that we should not take for granted. Many fought hard to secure the right to vote and we should always remember their struggles when we walk into the voting booth, or mail in our ballots to cast our votes. Some key moments in history to remember are:
- In 1870, the 15th Amendment was passed granting African-American men the right to vote, though it wasn’t until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law that all legal barriers at state and local levels were removed granting unrestricted voting rights.
- In 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, granting women the right to vote.
- In 1971, the 26th Amendment was ratified, lowering the legal age to vote from 21 to 18, to grant those old enough to be drafted for military service the right to vote.
So, honor the past and what so many fought for, and if you haven’t done so already, go to the polls and cast your vote for tomorrow’s leaders. There are many important issues to be decided in the upcoming months and years — do not miss this opportunity to have your voice heard.
You are also invited to register to join the CSI community on November 4, 2020 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm for a virtual Post-Election Campus Conversation sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs, Human Resources, the Counseling Center, and the Center for Global Engagement.
Happy Voting.
By William J. Fritz
