The presidential election is an American citizen’s big chance to participate in democracy.  Unfortunately, in our last presidential election, barely more than half of all registered voters actually made it to the polls.  There are a ton of causes near and dear to my heart, but the reality of life in America is that democratic process is supposed to be capable of judging the population’s opinion and guiding policies accordingly.  When nobody votes, it leaves our elected representative and officials without a public to answer to for their decisions.

 

A few years ago, John Williams ran across the nation.  In the process, he decided that he could make a positive impact as a teacher.  He got a job at Granville Central High School in Stem, North Carolina teaching Civics and coaching school the track team.  He and his mentor teacher, Ms. Hineline, realized that with their enthusiastic students, John’s experience running cross-country, they were equipped to do something amazing.

Run To Vote took place between June 14 and August 9 this summer, and it involved Mr. Williams and a group of 5 students traveling through the 48 continental states in a non-partisan voting drive, running a quarter mile for everyone they met who pledged to vote in November.  “People couldn’t really believe that we weren’t just working for one candidate”, said Stephanie, one of the student runners.  The goal wasn’t to sway people’s minds in one way or another, it was simply to encourage participation.

 

 

“Just because you’re not old enough to vote doesn’t mean that you still can’t have a say” Stephanie told me.  One of the other students created a poster listing the candidates’ positions on a number of issues.  Stephanie’s right—the idea of popular democracy is that when you get enough people together and inform them well, they will arrive at an intelligent decision.  As a kid, you might not be able to vote, but you can encourage your family and neighbors to get out on polling day.  The team of 5 students registered over 400 new voters during their trip, and received signatures from over 6000 registered voters pledging to exercise their voting rights.

Though they were sometimes met with disbelief, the group was warmly received by extended families, friends of friends, and people that Mr. Williams met on his first cross-country run, receiving meals and lodging.  They only had to pay for a hotel once.  Go check out the Run To Vote website and get inspired!  You don’t have to be 18 to make a difference.