Popular sovereignty (voting) has been a natural right for Americans since 1920. We all should exercise this right every chance we can because as humans, it’s our duty to get our voice out there and be heard. Precinct delegate local police deputy, Patrick Maguire, and a woman named Karen Costimo, who raises awareness for the Harris campaign, both reflected on their opinions and thoughts on the election, and more importantly, how voting has been a part of their life.
Maguire shared his thoughts on the election. With his first election being in 1996, he emphasized the importance of young adults voting.
“I was 18 when I first started voting, but I think it’s incredibly important,” Maguire said. “I think it’s very important that if you want to have an opinion on something, that you take the time to do it.”
Karen Costimo is a precinct delegate for the Democrats of Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor. She also volunteers for Washington County Democratic Party visibility. Costimo says Kamala Harris gives a sense of hope to our community. When Harris stepped into the race, Costimo was thrilled.
“[Her] energy was just so overloaded,” Costimo said. “I’m so passionate about Kamala. Everything about her oozes faith, hope and love for the people. Everything, absolutely everything, inspires me to do that.”
In addition, Costimo emphasized the importance of young voters and how their opinions matter. Costimo started voting at 18 and encourages local youth to do the same.
“Definitely register as soon as you can,” Costimo said. “It’s your civic duty, and it’s a right, not a privilege, to vote.”
Another point made clear by Maguire was the importance of standing up for what you believe in. As said by Maguire, “I think it’s very important that if you want to have an opinion about something, that you take the time to help create the system that’s working for you.”
All in all, a point both these two vastly different figures agree on is that no matter who you are, police deputy or 68-year-old Democrat, go vote. Voting is an essential right for all humans. Not using it is a waste of your rights. Get educated and fight for what you believe in. It is your civic duty. The only vote wasted, is a vote not cast.
