“Vote as if your ballot determines nothing whatsoever — except the shape of your own character. Vote as if the public consequences of your action weigh nothing next to the private consequences. The country will go whither it will go, when all the votes are counted. What should matter the most to you is whither you will go, on and after this November’s election day.”

— Matthew J. Franck

Those running for election are not entitled to my vote. They earn it, or they do not. On election day, the ballot box does not record me holding my nose; it simply records my support. Some candidates whose names are on the ballot are not worth it, and in some elections none are. If I were to support their lack of decency and fitness, my own character will have been adversely affected.

“Vote as if your ballot determines nothing whatsoever — except the shape of your own character. was originally published in Compendium Miscellanea on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

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