Sen. Thatcher: The 7-vote story should alarm you

By Oregon State Senator Kim Thatcher,

If you think your vote doesn’t matter, vote anyway!

Your vote DOES matter.

You can make a difference!

It is true that each election year the same calls and reminders to vote echo throughout the country and are especially loud in Oregon right now. The thing is, these reminders are critical to how our society works. Our participation, we, the everyday Oregonians – is critical to making it all work. Elected officials rely on our votes. Think about it, if all the people who think their votes don’t matter actually voted, that could make a real difference in the outcome of any election.

In fact, former Gov. Kate Brown won her first election by a mere seven votes. Yes, SEVEN VOTES.

There is merit behind voting for your values. Did you know that only about half of self-professed Christians actually vote? If all Christians voted their values, it could very well turn the tide and possibly influence our elected leaders to act very differently! Do you believe in serving others? Voting is a way you can do that. If you are not registered to vote, or if you want to check the status of your registration go to: State of Oregon: Voting & Elections – Voting & Elections.

For further thoughts on how to choose a candidate to vote for click here

So, you say you don’t like politics…read on!

Political outcomes end up having power over nearly all corners of our lives and impact the very way you want to live your life. Our political processes involve how we elect mayors, city councilors, commissioners, state legislators, members of Congress and, of course, the President. In other words, the very people who will make decisions on how you get to live your life! Those same people rely on Oregonians to participate by voting; they rely on our votes.

My plea for the upcoming election especially goes out to those who have not voted in past elections and to those who may not even be registered to vote. There are a lot of you who fit one of these two categories. Your vote matters!