Let’s get straight down to business. I skipped some sections today because they didn’t feel right (and maybe I’ll stick to this format in the future). We’re diving straight into a conversation about how boycotting an election does nothing to fix the problem and only makes it worse.
Also, I guess I’m one of eight, the best game of Guess Who? ever, and Melinda French Gates gets my vote!
🎧 for those who prefer to listen
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When I was younger, I didn't always vote. I moved a bunch in my twenties and didn't always know where to vote. Mail-in voting was much less prevalent, and I didn't feel my vote mattered much. (Now I know that was all wrong. Live and learn.)
I grew up in a time when democracy in the United States functioned pretty well (all things considered). While plenty of government officials secured backdoor deals and negotiated shady agreements, our government generally got the job done. A quick look at our dysfunctional House of Representatives today reminds us that we’re in a new era.
Back then, the roads were paved, public schools were in session, and I had easy access to voting. We had peaceful transitions of power (remember those days?). Like many Americans, I took for granted that democracy in our country worked.
Our government is far from perfect, but Americans seem oddly complacent that a functioning democracy is infallible, even as we see them falling worldwide. Is it classic American arrogance?
Lately, many people have voiced their intent to skip voting this year. Some can't find a candidate that suits them, and others use the absence of voting as a protest.
There are more than enough reasons to be frustrated, especially at the federal level and in some state legislatures where politicians are actively legislating against the wishes of a majority of their constituents. (We know this is true when they try to create laws that override new referendums or ballot initiatives, which is happening.)
Corruption is rampant. Campaign finance is a disaster. Our system is breaking.
But no one is coming to save us! We can only save ourselves. We are the only ones who can protect a system that has served us so well that it’s lulled us into complacency. Democracy is always fragile, and ours is damn near breaking. Let’s not pile on by not showing up.
boycotting an election makes no sense
Boycotting an election makes zero sense. Boycotting an election is not like boycotting a business. It's the opposite!
Businesses want lots of customers. Generally, more customers are good for the bottom line. Boycotting a business causes them to make less money (not a desired outcome for the company). 💰
Elections don’t need a lot of voters. Whatever politician or political party is pissing you off doesn't need a lot of voters to win; they only need one more than their opponent, whether their opponent has five votes or 5 million votes.
Current politicians (especially the political party machines) benefit when everyday voters don't go to the polls. Politicians go to great lengths to disenfranchise voters. It's easier for extreme candidates to win when people stay home.
Their people will show up rain or shine, and that's plenty to win if everyone else takes a pass. You walk right into their trap when you throw away your chance to vote. You've been duped. They bred enough chaos to crush your spirit. Not showing up feeds the beast; it's precisely what they want.
You give your voice to the exact groups of people making you angry by letting them consolidate power in their courts. Worse yet, if your “regular” candidate gets boycotted and “the other team” doesn't boycott, you are consolidating power in the hands of someone serving your desires even less. Why do that?
No candidate is perfect. Don’t we want to vote for the candidate most closely aligned with our values?
primaries are a perfect example of this
If you don’t believe that low voter turnout benefits extreme parties, look at primaries. Lack of voter engagement is part of the reason we have so many garbage candidates in general elections. When all the frustrated moderates and the exhausted majority stay home, extremists get to pick their party candidates with little incentive to appeal to a broad majority.
Then we arrive at the general election and wonder why so many people feel politically homeless. No one showed up to pick the teams! What do we expect?
alternative voting options are interesting
There are other ways to vote, even if you're determined not to vote for a major party candidate in a particular race.
Vote for candidates in all races but the one or two that make you mad. It’s not ideal, but it’s better than opting out entirely.
Voting "uncommitted" in the primary election against a candidate without any realistic opponents sent a message but avoided unintended consequences (like handing over power to the other party's candidate). That was creative! Using the voting booth to convey this message told candidates how many people were willing to show up and walk the walk of the talk behind that campaign.
As much as we may hate it, our general election is a race between a Republican and a Democrat. Third parties currently have no meaningful chance of winning. But it doesn't have to be that way!
Countries like Canada and the United Kingdom have coalition governments that allow more parties to exist and force them to work together. If you hate the binary nature of our political system, then do something to help fix it! Ignoring elections and handing over more power to the parties only makes things worse.
what about down-ballot elections?
Are you opting out of voting entirely or only for specific candidates? State and local elections drive most of the policy that impacts our lives. Those elections are often won or lost by tiny margins. I didn't know it two decades ago, but I understand now how much each vote matters in local and state elections!
Organizations like The States Project and Climate Cabinet support candidates in specific elections that they believe have outsized impacts. A few thousand dollars and a handful of votes can sway significant policies. Your vote matters!
Even if you're unwilling to vote in a federal election, are you willing to support your literal neighbors doing the often poorly paid but hugely important work of local and state governing? Our local politicians live in our communities. Their kids go to school with our kids. Our school board members sit with us in the bleachers at youth sports games and shop at the same grocery stores. They could use support even if you’re angry at Biden or Trump or your wackadoodle Representative (we know there are a few of those floating around Washington)! 🤢
what are you boycotting for?
If you're contemplating sitting out this next election, what is your protest in service of? I know you're mad. I'm frustrated, too. But a protest worth having stands for something, asks for something, and seeks specific action. Union protesters demand higher wages and better benefits. Social justice protesters specify policies and cultural changes they aim to achieve. Political protesters voice their desires for specific policy actions.
👉🏻 What do you hope is the outcome of choosing not to vote in the election? AND how does not voting serve your end goal?
👉🏻 What actions are you taking to achieve your desired outcome?
If boycotting voting doesn't help fix the problems you're protesting, then what's the point?
no democracy without voters
You're free to use your vote however you like, but a democracy depends on informed citizens to inform how it acts. Opting out of our civic duty creates space for all the things we don't like. We leave behind a void that's certain to be filled by the corrupt and the extremists. (A democracy is like the laundry. Without consistent energy to maintain it, entropy turns it into chaos.)
Opting out is precisely what BOTH parties want you to do because it consolidates power among party leaders and the extremists. Why are we letting them win so easily??!
We currently live in a two-party system. The best we can do is make the best choices within current circ*mstances while also building a better system for the future.
Taking your ball and going home will never make the next game better.
you vote to use as you choose
Everyone has the right to vote as they choose. But is choosing not to vote serving your desired outcome? In a two-party system, not voting is a vote for the other mainstream candidate. You don't have to approve of that fact, but it's a mathematical fact. We can move toward systems like ranked-choice voting and more than two parties. But our current reality is different.
If you're okay with the "other" candidate winning, choosing not to vote may serve your wishes. But if you think the “other” candidate is worse, why opt out?!
If we want to fix the problem, we must show up and do the work. We can improve our government only by starting where we are today, changing what we can step by step, and making iterative progress toward something better.
genuinely asking: if you're choosing not to vote
If you’re protesting your vote, I hope you’ll share answers to some of the questions below, especially #4. That’s the one I want to hear about!
What are you most upset about? What reasons rise to the top that compel you to stay home?
Are you choosing not to vote for candidates in specific races (presidential, senators, etc..) or skipping the ballot entirely? Why skip the whole election and not just the races driving you nuts?
What do you hope to see change? What is the goal of your protest?
How are your actions serving that goal and getting you closer to what you want?
I'd love to hear more in the comments. I genuinely don't understand how choosing not to vote brings us any closer to solutions. Am I missing something?
Let's be good neighbors and protect our democracy by being a part of it. If that's not compelling to you, I'd love to hear more about why. 💛
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This made me laugh! I guess I’m one of the eight?
Here are some ways to reduce waste in your garden. 🌱
Have you ever gone dumpster diving for food? An excellent way to reduce food waste?
Our current economic system, based on a presumption of eternal growth, needs to be revised. Our Earth can’t support an ever-increasing use of resources. Here’s a take on economic theory I can appreciate.
Best way to repurpose a secondhand board game ever? So neat!
I love this organization.
We watch The Daily Show as a family (my boys are 10 and 8). That surprises some people. I get that. But it’s been an incredible opportunity to introduce our boys to current events in an engaging way. We pause throughout the show to give context to the funny take on the news. And Jon Stewart is 💯. I know his political views may not be for everyone, but he’s an ardent supporter of democracy. See his call to young voters and his discussion of our justice system (and mainstream media). He uses the Trump hush money trial as the basis for his discussion, but it’s more than that. Start watching from 2:17 until 18:35. It’s long but worth it, and it’s a great commentary on how our courts seem to be the only place left where truth matters (well.. not the Supreme Court, but all the others). 🙄
Did you see what I read in May? What are you reading?
She’s coming for the patriarchy. And she’s got money. And I’m here for it! She’s seen firsthand how transformative fair access to reproductive health care is for women, families, and economies in developing countries. Sure as sh*t, the United States won’t backtrack on this under her watch. She also supports gender equity, including supporting boys and men who need help. I love this!
action is the antidote to despair
Make a plan to vote. That’s it. And maybe include a friend or family member so you can vote together. Bonus points if you vote for a candidate with an interest in climate action, but the preservation of democracy is a good start!
Until next time, I hope you’re having the best week available to you. Don’t hesitate to comment or leave questions. I love hearing from you all.
Jen
💛 DID YOU KNOW that if you hit the HEART at the top or bottom of this newsletter, it makes it easier for people to find Sage Neighbor (and makes my day)? TIA 💛
Thanks for reading Sage Neighbor! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
Jen Panaro is a self-proclaimed composting nerd and advocate for sustainable living for modern families. Through her writing, workshops, and podcast guesting, she helps others find ways to incorporate sustainability into their everyday lives more easily while appreciating the joy along the journey.
When she’s not writing and creating, she’s a serial library book borrower, a messy gardener, a composting tinkerer. She’s a wife and mom of two boys and spends alotof time in hockey rinks and other sporting venues watching her boys tear it up for their teams.
