In a democracy, voting is very important in our elections. However, we have an added layer of difficulty in this country. We have something called an Electoral College.
What Is The Electoral College?
Each state has electors equal the number of Representatives they have in Congress plus the two Senators. This is a total of 538 votes; one of the nominees has to win 270 votes. Many states that usually lean Democratic when they vote, and other states that usually lean Republican.
"The key is engaging across our differences” from “How to Be Liberal in Lower Alabama” https://t.co/wP1LEgD5FB pic.twitter.com/UrQcBPjU12
— essential partners (@essentialprtnrs) January 13, 2016
What Are Swing States?
Based on how states vote in previous elections, the states can be broken down into “red states” and “blue states.” A select number of states could lean in either direction. These are called swing states, which usually help win the election.
The candidates need to campaign heavily in these states because they will determine the result of the election.
For the rest of us, our state will likely lean one way or the other. For those of us who have different views than the rest of the state’s residents, it can be frustrating. It makes you feel like your vote doesn’t count.
https://twitter.com/AngryBrown_Girl/status/785574519150747648
Being A Liberal In A Red State
I’m in Alabama, which usually leans Republican during elections. Being a liberal here can be very difficult. It may seem like our votes don’t make a difference. However, we can still work and campaign for our liberal candidates.
Blue-state liberals pity us or tell us to leave, but it’s not that simple. Alabama is my home.
Don’t pity us. Help support us. We need to stick together and help each other. It is very discouraging to think that our votes don’t count as much as votes in swing states do. Since we are not in a swing state, the candidates don’t pay as much attention to us.
I know many people tell us to leave, but The South is pretty great. If I completely hated it, I would’ve moved somewhere else by now. We also end up having everything turn into a political debate, like the issues of evolution and climate change, which are scientific issues, not political issues.
We are not likely to ever be a swing state.
I will still vote for Hillary Clinton all the way. Unfortunately, my state will likely go for Trump. We try our best to stand up for our beliefs here in The South. It is still important to get out there and vote!
Here is my favorite liberal redneck, Trae Crowder, defending The South:
Featured image via Twitter.
