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Capital Region BOCES
Wherever you live in New York state, Tuesday, May 15, is the day to vote on your local school budget and open board of election seats. It’s an important day – not only for what it means for your school district and tax bill, but also because it’s one of only a few times a year when you get a say in how something – our country, your town, your schools – is run.
“My one vote doesn’t really matter,” you argue. But in fact, it does. Many elections are decided by a few votes. In one upstate New York community several years ago, a proposition to reconfigure traffic patterns at two schools failed by 11 votes. Last year, a school board vote was decided by 20 votes. So your vote – or lack of it – does matter.
In the busyness of day-to-day life, it’s easy to get distracted. Sure, it can be a chore to register and it takes time out of your day to go to the polling place. But it’s your right, and your privilege, to let your voice be heard.
Here’s our countdown list of “5 good reasons to vote on Tuesday, May 15”:
- #5. Because Election Day is the one day each year when every adult resident of your school district is equal. Your vote carries the same weight as anyone else’s.
- #4. Because we will all live with the consequences. Whether you agree with the decisions made by the board of education on the final budget or not will be irrelevant if you don’t exercise your right to vote.
- #3. Because you’ll be really upset if you forget to vote, then wake up Wednesday morning to find the result isn’t what you wanted.
- #2. Your opinion counts. Why let other people decide what is best for you when you have a voice? Vote!
- #1. Because our children are counting on us, and our future may depend on it. The people we elect, and the budget we accept or reject will both have far-reaching effects. Help set the course by voting.
In order to vote, district residents must be registered with EITHER the school district OR your county Board of Elections. Check with your local school district for voter registration and polling place information. And vote!