Every four years, we are given the opportunity to cast our votes to elect the President of the United States. In Ohio, we vote for Governor (and other statewide offices), during the midterm elections (the next one occurring in 2022). Certainly, the obvious impact of your vote is to help elect the candidate you support. In a swing state like Ohio, that can make the difference.
However, there is an extremely important, if less obvious, outcome of your vote as well. Politicians running for office, whether they are running for president of the United States, city council, or dog catcher, ask for your vote so they can win. However, our community needs you to vote for another reason, that politicians don’t tell you about.
Communities and families throughout Ohio and the United States are impacted directly by decisions that are made at the local, state, and federal levels. Whether the issue is property taxes, funding for day schools, investments in public spaces, and countless other government functions, these decisions are all made at some level by elected officials.
Every responsible and competent elected official knows exactly which cities vote, which communities, which streets, and often even if YOU yourself have voted. They do not know who you voted for and may not know what issues are important to you, but they know WHO votes. The time, effort, and political courage of elected officials is directly tied to being responsive to communities that vote. Even if they disagree with you, they will work to win over those that consistently participate in the voting process.
That is why it is crucial for you to vote, even if you do not have strong feelings about a particular candidate or issue. Your very act of voting helps our community accomplish things that matter to us and YOU! Your community needs you!
Return your absentee ballots today or make sure you show up at the polls on November 3!
Polls are open from 6:30AM-7:30PM. Make sure to bring a valid ID.
Yitz Frank
Executive Director
Agudath Israel of Ohio
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