We spend a lot of time watching elections. We follow the polls, analyze the latest primary results, debate the candidates, and speculate about what might happen in November. But there is one data point that ultimately matters more than all the polls and predictions combined: the votes actually cast. Voting is not something we simply watch. It is how we participate in our democracy – and yes, voting matters.

The midterm elections are now only 75 days away, and primary season is in full swing. Every week seems to bring a new surprise as actual results differ from the polls and voters make their voices heard. The 2018 “blue wave” is a reminder that elections can shift the balance of power in Congress and change the direction of the country. But that only happens when people show up and vote.

The total number of registered voters who didn’t vote in the 2024 election was greater than the total number who voted for either the Democrat or Republican presidential candidate. We know how that turned out. Yes, voting matters!

And history reminds us that the right to vote should never be taken for granted. I am a faithful daily reader of Heather Cox Richardson’s Letters from an American, which puts today’s events in historical context. Two of her recent posts, on August 6 and August 18, were reminders of just how hard-won voting rights have been for women and people of color. Those rights were not inevitable. They were fought for, expanded, defended – and remain worth protecting today.

And yet, even today, some are calling for women’s hard-won right to vote to be rolled back. Some Christian nationalists advocate repealing women’s suffrage, with voting by household and women expected to defer to men.

Each month, my StarBridge Advisors colleague, David Muntz, and I send a short business update to our advisors to keep them informed about current activity. We include a message from the principals at the start of the update. The topics vary, but this month David wrote a particularly clear message about something that goes beyond our work: the responsibility we each have to participate in our democracy. That message is worth sharing here.

As we reflect on America’s 250th anniversary and look ahead to the mid-term elections now less than 100 days away, it’s worth remembering that our precious democracy has endured because generations of citizens chose to participate. The Founders created a remarkable system of self-government. They entrusted us with the responsibility to preserve it. Voting is one of the most meaningful ways we honor that legacy, strengthen our democracy, and help shape the future we leave to those who follow.

As healthcare leaders, we understand that the decisions made by elected officials influence nearly every aspect of our profession from access to care and public health to innovation, workforce development, and research. Regardless of our political views, we share a responsibility to be informed, engaged, and respectful of differing perspectives. Leadership extends beyond our organizations. It also includes being thoughtful and active citizens.

We encourage each of you to get educated about the candidates and their policies. Please make an individual plan to vote based on your research plan and encourage your families, friends, and colleagues to do the same. Democracy is strongest, not when we all agree, but when we all participate with civility, respect, and commit to the common good. Every vote is a reminder that the future of our nation is not determined by a few voices, but by the collective engagement of millions of citizens exercising one of our most precious rights. Vote and encourage others to do so.

We don’t get to choose whether democracy is a spectator sport. It is ours to participate in.

Your voice matters. Your vote matters. Vote your values. And when you cast your ballot, think about the future you want for your children and grandchildren.

Don’t just watch what happens. Participate in shaping what happens.

Related Posts:

Your Voice is Your Power: Standing Up for Democracy in a Divisive Election Season

When Politics Threaten Healthcare: Will You Stand Up?

How healthcare providers can empower voters for a healthier democracy