Election ideas: 12 quotes worth noting about public voting

The American voting process brings out both boons and lampoons, as writers and speakers of all stripes express their opinions on the vote. From campaigning quests to comic quips, quotations abound on the subject of voting.

Here’s a diverse dozen quotations about voting and voters. Those quoted may have (or have had) reputations that are glorious, notorious, or something in-between. Although not all of the writers and speakers are American or even contemporary, their statements may seem current (and controversial).

Some of these quotations on voting endorse the election process and plead for voting participation. Other comments sarcastically state opposition to the vote. The assortment is offered here to spark thought, invite healthy debate, and encourage interest in the democratic process.  (Quotes are arranged alphabetically by speaker or author.)

NOTE: Written by this author, this copyrighted material originally appeared on another publisher’s site. That site no longer exists. This author holds all rights to this content. No republication is allowed without permission.

1. “In the lack of judgment great harm arises, but one vote cast can set right a house.” Aeschylus, Greek Poet (525 BC – 456 BC)

2. “Women, we might as well be dogs baying the moon as petitioners without the right to vote!” Susan B. Anthony, American Civil Rights Activist (1820 – 1906)

3. “Vote early, and vote often.” Al Capone, American Gangster (1899 – 1947)

4. “If you're listening to a rock star in order to get your information on who to vote for, you're a bigger moron than they are.” Alice Cooper, American Rocker (1948 -   )

5. “Those who stay away from the election think that one vote will do no good. ‘Tis but one step more to think one vote will do no harm.” Ralph Waldo Emerson, American Philosopher and Author (1803 –1882)

6. “Hell, I never vote for anybody. I always vote against.” W. C. Fields, American Comedian (1880 – 1946)

7. “To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain.” Louis L'Amour, American Author (1908 – 1988)

8. “If God had wanted us to vote, He would have given us candidates.” Jay Leno, American Comedian (1950 -   )

9. “Voting is a right best exercised by people who have taken time to learn about the issues.” Tony Snow, American Journalist (1955 – 2008)

10. “The people who cast the votes don't decide an election, the people who count the votes do.” Joseph Stalin, Russian Dictator (1879 – 1953)

11. “All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or backgammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and wrong.” Henry David Thoreau, American Philosopher and Author (1817 – 1862)

12. “Vote: The only commodity that is peddleable without a license.” Mark Twain, American Humorist, and Author (1835 – 1910)

Consider these quotations on voters and voting, and then decide. How do you vote about voting? If you are an American citizen and eligible to vote, will you register and vote in upcoming elections?

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