Citizens must use voting power

Today, America's citizens have many choices to make. At the national level, the United States faces one of the closest presidential elections in recent history. At the state and local levels, several races could change the face of Indiana government, or how the state is represented in Washington, D.C. These elections matter because the issues matter, and we as citizens have a duty and a right to use our voice in this democracy -- by casting a vote in today's election.\nThe past 100 years of our nation's history reveal how important voting is to participation in a democracy. In the early 1900s, women such as Susan B. Anthony fought tooth and nail for decades for suffrage. Not until 1920 -- only 80 years ago -- did the 19th Amendment give women the right to vote. The Voting Rights Act of 1965, a result of a long Civil Rights movement, finally gave African Americans the right to vote. And just a generation ago, in 1971, the 26th Amendment gave 18-year- olds the right to vote, because they were serving in the Vietnam War but had no say in the voting process.\nVarious groups have always struggled for inclusion in America's democracy by demanding inclusion in the vote, because those two rights are inseparable. We can't let their struggles be forgotten, and we can't take our voting rights for granted.\nVoting gives us a choice over who will lead this nation, this state and this city. It makes our government accountable to the people. If we are unhappy with any aspect of the state of affairs in this nation, we have many avenues through which we can express our concern -- rallies, petitions, letter-writing, lobbying and other methods. But first and foremost, voting gives us a direct voice in government, allowing us to elect officials we trust to solve problems.\nIt might seem one vote won't make any difference in any of this year's races. But if enough people adopt that attitude, it isn't just one vote but many that will never be cast; that can add up to enough votes to affect an election. \nGeorge W. Bush's campaign estimates just one vote in each precinct could determine the results of this presidential election, just as one more vote per precinct would have elected Thomas Dewey in 1948. Every vote counts, especially in a presidential election as close as this one.\nThroughout our nation's history, people have fought for a voice in our government. We can't take their struggles or that right for granted. On this election day, we must speak out about issues we care about and think are important. We must speak out for or against candidates we love or hate. We must speak out for or against a government system we like or dislike.\nWhatever we do, we must use the voice our vote gives us. The worst thing we can do as citizens is remain silent.