This piece was set to be published on Wednesday, October 16th by the University Daily Kansan. It is instead being published here. Aside from the first section and Jaiden’s edits, it remains unchanged from its pre-published form.
Stop Telling me to Vote
Mattie offered a perspective on voting and its absurdity last week that I really appreciated. What I want to offer here is a perspective that is less direct in its call to action but broader in its scope.
There are plenty of indicators America is enduring yet another high-stakes election season, from the heightened anxiety of the politically aware, to the sudden bombardment of attack ads by and against politicians you didn’t know existed.
Yet the post pervasive indication of the voting cycle we are presently in is the favorite war cry from liberals and moderates — “Vote!”
This message is made to seem neutral, common-sense, and wholly uncontroversial.
I’m not so sure.
In American presidential elections, we are told we have two choices of candidates, a Democrat or a Republican, neither of which seem to adequately represent the views of most Americans.
Why, then, is it absurd to suggest voting for neither of them?
It is hypocritical to moralize that it is my civic responsibility to vote, especially in a solid-red state like Kansas, but then tell me that choosing somebody who actually represents my views is privileged, unserious nonsense that somehow helps the worse of the two main candidates win.
We have been given the choice between Kamala Harris or Donald Trump.
Harris is America’s more “progressive” choice, yet she has overseen the most visible genocide in the 21st century, refuses to take necessary action on the climate crisis, came to power as a failed prosecutor and has been endorsed by the butcher of Iraq Dick Cheney.
Trump manages to be profoundly worse than that.
Do you really think it’s fair or effective to tell me and other young people that we just need to suck it up and vote for Kamala?
My main alternatives to them are voting for someone polling around 1% nationally or not voting at all. And you want me to be excited about this?
In 2020, the narrative was that we needed to vote blue for the sake of women, queer people and immigrants. Now, the narrative is that we need to vote blue for the sake of women and queer people.
Immigrants were put on the Democrats’ chopping block for the sake of appearing tough on border security. Who will get cut next?
Voting unconditionally for a party does not compel that party to cater to your political demands. Why should I vote for you if you refuse to be a true alternative to the right?
Perhaps not all Donald Trump supporters are racist, phobic, hateful, bigots, but bigotry also wasn’t a dealbreaker for them. What does that say about genocide for supporters of Kamala?
By the very logic of those whose political action consists mostly of what they mark at the ballot box, why not use that to exert pressure on those you want to see make meaningful change? Democrats refused to listen to their own constituents in the uncommitted movement, so why would they listen to a loyalist who would vote for them anyway?
I find it hard to take the retort that “you have two choices and that’s just how things are” from people claiming to want to make meaningful change. I find this especially difficult when the “change” they support is voting against oppression by voting for oppression with a friendly face.
We have been told that “this is the most important election of our lives” for every election for decades. This mantra becomes less and less convincing as my vote, and your vote, only slow America’s descent toward fascism.
What’s the plan after this election? Vote blue again? What after that? What does the Democratic party offer as a long-term solution to the looming threat of democratic collapse?
The reality is that we cannot vote out fascism, nor could we ever. Unless the Democrats swing left, we will continue our slow creep to the right.
If you’re voting for Harris because you feel she will best protect your rights as a marginalized person, then that is your prerogative. I really hope it works.
But if Kamala loses this thing, blame the establishment that enabled it, not those who refused to endorse it.
None of this is to say that we should not be voting. I plan on voting after doing my due diligence and research, especially for my local elections.
But voting as the start and end of political action is woefully inadequate. Rather than uncritically voting every few years, Americans need to take direct action, here and now, to make positive, meaningful change.
Jaiden Steven is the Editor-In-Chief for the Weekly Rose and KU YDSA Treasurer
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