Theme : My Vote Matters

Name : Elysia Ariella

The Benefits of Voting: How to Make the Most of Your Future

Indonesia is a country of democracy, which means that the people hold the highest
power (Sidin). One of the ways this democratic ethos manifests is through the electoral
process. Elections are a crucial cornerstone of the democratic system. This act of voicing our
choice not only reflects the will of the people but also determines the direction and future of
the country. While it's critical for our future that we vote, many people are dissatisfied with
the choices available in the 2024 elections, and some are encountering difficulties in voting.
For instance, suppose your ID card (KTP) is registered in Tangerang but you reside in
Jakarta. In that case, you can still vote in Jakarta, but you must apply to transfer your
registration to vote 30 days before the voting day (Aliansyah, 2023). In other cases, people
are not educated enough on the matter, and the rest simply do not care enough (Brookshire,
2016). Since the country provides a neutral option (Golongan Putih), people tend to choose
the neutral options. Despite this, there are many reasons why your vote matters.
To begin with, a single vote can make a big difference. There is collective power in
individual votes. Imagine an election where the outcome is closely contested. In cases like
this, a single vote can tip the balance in favor of one candidate or party. The chance is small
but not impossible. There are cases where it was possible, such as the 198 2 state Senate race
in Massachusetts, where the winner received 5352 votes and the loser received 5351. Along
with the state House election in Maine with 1387 votes for the winner and 1386 for the losers
(Murse, 2019). Each vote brings together a collective mandate, providing a clear message of
the citizen’s will. When these individuals made their voices heard, the entire political
landscape shifted—proof that voting is a tool of change. Voting only takes a couple of
minutes, but it will cause a ripple effect that lasts beyond a candidate's term.
In the context of elections, voting is a right guaranteed by the Constitution and laws.
The law affirms that sovereignty rests with the people, meaning citizens have the
responsibility and obligation to democratically elect the leaders and representatives of the
people who will administer the government, all according to Law Number 30/1999 on
Human Rights (HAM) in Article 43 (MKRI, 2014). Recent elections have seen astounding
upsets and victories credited to the turnout of minorities, who previously were
underrepresented in the elections (Janti, 2018; Sucahyo, 2021). It is also the result of the fight
our ancestors worked for, so do not let it go to waste. Do you want someone else deciding the
fate of you and your family? If you do not vote someone else will, if you do not exercise your
voting rights, you have no right to complain.
If you want a better Indonesia, you should vote for a president with a policy, vision,
and mission that is in line with your will. So that when they go up, they can actualize the
aspirations of the people and influence the future policies for Indonesia. Besides, by voting,
you can choose where your tax money is spent through our leaders. thereby affecting the
governor's decision on Jobs (minimum wage, fairness in hiring and pay, job security,
workplace safety, and all the benefits provided by employers), education (policies and budget
that will be spent on school), healthcare (laws on your access to it), and safety (laws that will
affect your community, law enforcement, crime prevention, traffic patterns, where to build
various facilitation).

Voting also protects democracy itself. When citizens actively participate in the
voting process, they contribute to shaping the direction of society. Through their votes, they
express their preferences and opinions on various issues, policies, and candidates. This
collective expression of the will of the people ensures that the government reflects the values,
aspirations, and needs of its citizens. Moreover, voting is a powerful tool for safeguarding
freedom and representation.

Bibliography
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