OPINION:
The presidential election is fast approaching. A question every voter should ask is: Will my vote for a president count or will it be a victim of vote suppression? Because of the all-or-nothing approach we use with the electoral college results, many votes for president are swept aside.
Many voters have their political voices silenced if they’re not among the majority in their state. In 2012, 56,431,932 votes (both Democratic and Republican) were left out of the electoral college results. Your vote is your voice and it should matter, regardless of your chosen candidate or address. Vote suppression is real, non-partisan and affects everyone.
Equal Voice Voting is a proportional voting approach that is the fairest offered, closely aligns electoral college results with the popular vote on a state-by-state basis, doesn’t require a constitutional amendment, and stops vote suppression.
The first step for any change is to become aware of an issue. Second, simply sharing your views with others in an honest dialogue is essential for change. Third, encourage your legislators to put their constituents first and stop vote suppression. Get your state to participate in this cause that affects so many.
Finally, be sure to vote, regardless of which presidential candidate you favor. Other political offices and local issues need you to be involved. Voting matters.
JERRY SPRIGGS
West Linn, Ore.
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