The founding of this great nation was built on the notion of "no taxation without representation." This led to the most sacred right of any American, the right to vote. However, throughout the history of the United States, only a select few could exercise this right. After the birth of the Constitution in 1776, only white land-owning males could vote. Fast forwarding throughout our history, the right to vote has expanded across race, gender, and age. It is vitally important to see these as separate steps throughout our history because it gives a glimpse into our psyche as a nation. In a nation that has come so far in recognizing every American's right to vote, there are still many being denied from having their voices heard. The areas and groups of people still fighting for this right are deeply rooted in settler colonialism. Just look at the Electoral College. Washington D.C. has 3 Electoral Votes, yet they have no representation in Congress. Even though Americans in Washington D.C. can vote for their next leader, there is taxation without representation. Heading south to territories like Puerto Rico, United States Citizens can vote in Presidential Primaries, but they cannot vote in the General Election. Also, since they are territories and not states, they do not have any representation in Congress. Even many Indigenous Peoples who are United States Citizens face many battles when trying to exercise their right to vote. There are many barriers that these groups have to face each election season in large part due to voter suppression. Is not enough to acknowledge voter suppression, we also need to look critically at the groups and areas that are being suppressed. I have only been old enough to vote in one Presidential Election, and the candidate that has won the presidency has lost the Popular Vote twice in my lifetime. Many say that the Electoral College is needed to give smaller states a voice. I say that the Electoral College is a tactic rooted in settler colonialism to dismantle non-white ideas and values.
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AuthorAndrew Painter — Western Washington University Honors student Categories |