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Apathy is defined as having a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern. Hence, with respect to the question of voting in the upcoming March 20, 2018 primary elections, Muslim voter apathy concerns a lack of interest or concern to vote.
In a previous article we wrote “what’s better than a Muslim voter?…..an Informed Muslim voter!!!” We touted the benefits of being informed about the candidates and the issues presented in the upcoming elections. You may ask what does being informed have to do with being an apathetic voter. The fact is that they are linked.
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Three of the top four reasons given by people who fail to vote are: (1) being too busy, (2) did not see the value or benefit of voting, and (3) did not like or know about the candidates or the issues. [Cizmar , Anne M. 2016. “Why Bother? Apathy in the American Electorate”, Why don’t Americans Vote? : causes and consequences , ABC CLIO, LLC: p.55]. All three of these reasons are closely related.
To indicate one is too busy to vote, means one is prioritizing other personal obligations higher than voting. To state one see no benefit in voting can be restated that one is assigning a low priority to the obligation of voting. The last reason cited, lack of information about the issues and candidates, really forms the basis for the low prioritization given to voting in the first two reasons: we do not know, therefore we are not properly prepared to vote. IF we are not prepared to vote, then why “waste” our time doing something we are not ready to perform. To prepare requires us to expend time to learn about the candidates and the issues.
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Many of us do not wish to expend the time and effort to become informed. It can be daunting, considering the number of issues and the number of candidates running, both in local and state-wide elections. CIOGC seeks to assist by providing you with resources to minimize the time you have to spend to be informed. Below are links to information concerning the elections. Once prepared by the state and county board of elections, we will post a copy of the election ballot to afford you the opportunity to view the candidates and issues before you step into the voter booth.
Also, please share your thoughts and ideas with us as to how we can further assist in making all of us informed voters.
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