A Call to Action: Register, Vote and Participate in the Nation’s Electoral Process

Elections are two weeks away. Notwithstanding your political leaning, whether it be Republican, Democrat, or Independent, it’s important you register, vote, and participate in the nation’s electoral process. The fundamental human right to vote freely is what makes Democracy a way of life, one that is truly the best model in self-governance ever known in the history of mankind. 

While mainstream media and public discourse remain excessively focused on presidential, senatorial, and congressional races, one cannot discount the inherent power and influence embedded in the local races. That’s where the policy and politics is made — from the bottom of the pyramid.

Make no mistake, since the establishment of the republic in 1776 countless elections have been decided by one vote, or just a handful of votes, both at the national and local levels.

Here are some examples of the power of one vote at the national level:

In 1800 – Thomas Jefferson was elected President by one vote in the House of Representatives after a tie in the Electoral College.

In 1824 – Andrew Jackson won the presidential popular vote but lost by one vote in the House of Representatives to John Quincy Adams after an Electoral College deadlock.

More recently, in 2000 – The Presidential election was decided by an extremely narrow margin. George W. Bush won the state of Florida by just 537 votes, making him the next President of the United States. Close to 6 million voters went to the polls in Florida. It might not have been by one vote, but certainly every vote counted.

In 2008 – Minnesota voters cast 2.9 million votes in their US Senate race. Democratic candidate Al Franken won by 312 votes defeating Republican Senator Norm Coleman’s bid for a second term by less than 1/1000th of one %. This election was the closest race of the 2008 Senate election cycle and one of the closest senatorial races in the nation’s history.

And, in the last general election in 2020, Joe Biden narrowly won Georgia by a 49.47% plurality over Donald Trump’s 49.24% vote share: a margin of 0.23% and only 11,779 votes, making Joe Biden the 46th president of the United States. 

Please do not underestimate the power you and the public at large have in deciding the course and policies of this great country of ours.

I would urge you to call your City Hall as soon as possible and sign up and volunteer to be an Election Judge. It’s a very simple process and in keeping with the ethos of a thriving democracy-engaged citizenry.

As a community, we need to be visibly engaged in our country’s electoral process and by volunteering to serve as an Election Judge you can ensure that our nation’s elections are fair, transparent and above reproach.

I hope you’ll join me in becoming part of a national outreach effort to expand community service and civic engagement at local levels in the community at large. 

Your vote and that of every citizen counts. It can make a difference.

Exercise your right to vote and be an exemplar for family, friends and the next generation to follow. 

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Gopal Khanna is a former corporate executive, entrepreneur, public servant, community activist, and long-time champion of citizen engagement in the nation’s electoral process. Gopal Khanna has served in the administration of two governors and two presidents. He is a CXO | board advisor and Chairs a national initiative on public policy and civic engagement.