Does My Vote Matter?

Does My Vote Matter?

According to International IDEA, the United States has almost the lowest voter turnout in the world, ranked a measly 140 out of 163. Perhaps Americans are apathetic, or maybe they’re just concerned their vote is meaningless in the face of America's massive political machine. Can my vote really change the course of politics, or am I just a grain of sand on the massive beach of democracy?

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Art Carden

Not Everybody Thinks This Way, So You Can Take Others' Votes as Given

Art Carden

Economics Professor, Rhodes College

A common objection to this is that if everyone thought this way, the Wrong Guy might win. The fact of the matter, though, is that not everyone thinks this way. You can safely take others' voting behavior as given and understand that your individual vote will not be decisive at the margin. This should free you to vote however and for whomever you choose.

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