It seems as though we have been in the midst of an election campaign for eternity. I say ‘we’, and yes, I do mean Canadians, Jamaicans, everybody with access to any and all forms of U.S. media. We cannot escape it. Part of the reason for this is the proliferation of social media in our daily lives, part of it is the fact that the U.S. is still the world’s superpower (ok, lots of political scientists are currently debating this, but let’s just say it still is, at least in terms of cultural capital) and part of it is the fact that most North American homes receive U.S.television commercials.

In addition, several factors, including the influence of social media and the 24-hour news cycle, have created a situation in which politicians basically campaign year-round, even if they have just won an election. So it has become nearly impossible to tune out, although many people manage to do just that. Voter turnout is abysmal in Canada (federally, around 60 per cent and provincially around 40 per cent) and the U.S. (around 50 per cent). There are many theories as to why this is happening. I have read up on these theories extensively. Some of them hold weight for me, some don’t.

But going beyond academic speculation, people either say they simply do not care, they do not have time, or they feel their vote will not make a difference. For me, this leads to larger questions: is our system of democracy and representation broken? If so, do we fix it, and how? If not, are we satisfied with a society in which many of us do not have a say in the political systems that govern our day-to-day lives? Many theorists now talk of a new world order, along the lines of the Occupy movement, which tends closer to a communistic society, one in which capitalism is overthrown. These are overwhelming suppositions. All I know is that today, hundreds of millions of people have a chance to make their voice heard, to represent themselves.

There are always those people who deny the power and importance of voting. And while it is true that an individual ballot cast may not have an impact on the outcome of an election, the aggregate always does. Not to mention the empowerment citizens experience when they engage in the physical action of stepping up to the polling booth and participating in the most fundamental of activities one can undertake in a democratic society.

I always vote whenever I have the opportunity, even if it is an overseas ballot, even if it is for municipal government. I vote as a sign of respect to people who fought to sustain our democratic society. I vote as a sign of respect to those who are vulnerable members of society, who may never have a chance to have their voice acknowledged. And I vote because I can. It’s as simple as that. My American friends, please vote today. I beg you. I won’t even beg you to vote for a certain beloved candidate. Just get out there and vote. If you are still with me and are still inclined to read more about voting, I wrote this op-ed last year when Ontarians went to the polls.

Thanks and see you at the polls!