Election Day Today is Also an Anniversary of a Historical Election

Today, November 6, is not only Election Day, but it also marks the anniversary of another very important election. 158 years ago, in 1860, 82% of the eligible voters turned out to elect Abraham Lincoln as our 16th president. And, keep in mind(this being 1860), "eligible voters" did not include women or African Americans. Thank goodness times have changed for the better in that respect.

Now, Abraham Lincoln only received 40% of the popular vote, but that was still enough to handily beat his other opponents. Lincoln also became the first Republican to ever win the presidency. Lincoln will forever be hailed as one of our greatest presidents EVER. Bringing about an end to slavery and preserving the Union are just two of the many reasons why.

Who knows if history would have been any different if only 42% of eligible voters had turned out. Would Lincoln still have mustered a victory? We'll never know the answer to that question. But the point is, YOUR vote absolutely matters. Let's say, just for the sake of argument, that 1,000 people aren't going to the polls today because they don't think it will make a difference. And let's just say that 70% of those voters are for the same candidate or candidates. By not going to the polls, that's 700 votes NOT being cast for those people. And that figure is based on just 1,000 not voting. Imagine if that number of non-voters is higher?

So PLEASE, if you haven't already done so, get out to the polls today and do your civic duty. Exercise your RIGHT to vote. Your vote can make a difference and your voice can be heard. And later tonight, after the polls close, get all the latest updates on election results right here.