While it’s a common sentiment to doubt the impact of one’s vote amidst millions, recent history provides compelling evidence to the contrary.
Here are several examples of elections in the last 2 decades that vividly illustrate how every vote counts:
- 2016 Presidential Election
Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by over 2.8 million more votes than Donald Trump, which accounted for a 2.1% margin. Despite this, Donald Trump won the Electoral College — and thus, the presidency— due to several close races within key battleground states. These included:
Michigan: Trump won by approximately 0.23%, a margin of just under 11,000 votes out of nearly 4.8 million cast.
Pennsylvania: Trump secured this pivotal state by a margin of 0.72%, which translated to about 44,000 votes out of more than 6 million.
Wisconsin: Trump’s margin of victory was about 0.77%, or roughly 23,000 votes out of nearly 3 million cast.
Florida: With a larger margin than the other battlegrounds, Trump won Florida by about 1.2%, or just under 113,000 votes out of over 9 million. - 2020 Iowa Democratic Presidential Caucuses
In the 2020 Iowa Caucuses Pete Buttigieg edged out Bernie Sanders by a 0.1% margin in State Delegate Equivalents, one of the closest results in the history of the Iowa Caucuses. - 2017 Virginia House of Delegates – District 94
The 2017 election for Virginia’s 94th District in the House of Delegates ended in a tie, with both candidates receiving 11,608 votes. The tie was ultimately broken by drawing names from a bowl. - 2018 Kentucky House of Representatives – District 13
The 2018 election for Kentucky’s District 13 House seat was decided by just one vote, with Democrat Jim Glenn defeating Republican incumbent DJ Johnson. - 2016 Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District
In the 2016 election for Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District, Martha McSally won by just 167 votes out of more than 220,000 cast. This narrow victory was decided after a recount. - 2016 Vermont State Senate Democratic Primary
The primary saw a candidate win by a mere one vote out of more than 7,400 cast. - 2013 Virginia Attorney General Election
This election was decided by a mere 165 votes out of over 2.2 million. - 2018 Anchorage, Alaska, Municipal Election
In this election, a proposition to cease the sale of municipal light and power to a private utility was defeated by just one vote out of over 77,000. - 2000 U.S. Presidential Election
Perhaps one of the most infamous examples, the election between George W. Bush and Al Gore, hinged on the state of Florida. After a contentious recount process, Bush won Florida by a mere 537 votes out of almost 6 million cast in the state, securing the presidency.
The Ripple Effect of Voting
The impact of one person voting extends far beyond the ballot box. Research and social observations suggest that when one person votes, they’re likely to influence others in their immediate circle, such as family, friends, and colleagues. A study by the Pew Research Center indicates that social networks play a significant role in political engagement, suggesting that individuals who discuss voting and political participation can significantly influence others to vote. While quantifying the exact number of people influenced by one person’s vote can be challenging, it’s clear that the act of voting is both contagious and inspirational.
Inspiring Others to Vote
Encouraging others to participate in the democratic process is a powerful way to amplify the impact of your vote. Here are some resources and strategies to get started:
- Host a Voter Registration Drive: Use Vote.org’s toolkit for hosting your own voter registration drive, offering an accessible way for people in your community to register.
- Engage on Social Media: Platforms like Facebook’s Voting Information Center provide valuable information and reminders about registration deadlines and election dates, which you can share to inspire others.
- Educate Through Dialogue: The League of Women Voters offers resources to facilitate informed discussions about pressing issues, helping to engage and educate potential voters in your circle.
- Volunteer: Participate in or organize workshops and seminars with organizations like Rock the Vote to educate young voters about the importance of their participation.
The narrative of past elections is clear: every vote matters, and the act of voting can have a ripple effect, inspiring others to make their voices heard. By actively participating in the democratic process and encouraging others to do the same, individuals have the power to influence elections and, by extension, the future of their communities and country. Let’s embrace our civic duty, not just as voters but as catalysts for democratic engagement.