by Jo Ann Vatcha
[Editor’s Note: Fifty years ago, longtime Times editor Jo Ann Vatcha wrote this reflection on voting and the temptation to sit out an election. With another election approaching, we thought her words were worth revisiting. Her article has been lightly edited for topicality and the full version is available online.]
The pollsters call it “voter apathy.” To me, it’s more like cynicism. And how does one who has retained a willingness to commit himself convince a cynic that it’s important to vote? A recent poll quoted by Joseph Kraft cited as an important reason of those who refused to vote that “it doesn’t make any difference who is elected because things never seem to work right.” Isn’t there rather a significant lack of hope implied in this answer? How can one believe that “things” will ever work right if he withholds his two cents worth? How can one feel right complaining for the next four years if he hasn’t taken even one step towards making “things” better?
Many of us were youthful cynics about politics until we discovered such programs as the Peace Corps, which was put into effect by a President who was hardly a saint, who made many mistakes and compromises (and who, incidentally, was voted against by many simply on the basis of his religion). And if I felt I had contributed to the Vietnam War by having voted for LBJ, then isn’t it equally important that I commit my vote to the candidate who I feel will do the right thing by that war’s remaining casualties? On that issue, there are differences. And there are differences between the candidates too. If you watched their debate can you now say there’s no difference between Mondale and Dole? If you still can’t get excited by the presidential race, isn’t there even one issue you care enough about to commit your vote to? Not even the sales tax proposition?
Perhaps none of the candidates enunciates all my beliefs, but then neither do my friends and neighbors, and that doesn’t keep us from being able to work together on projects we do share a belief in. Isn’t government really just an extended such group trying to work together? Shouldn’t it be?
Still need inspiration? Think about this description from, of all places, a Nero Wolfe novel (and more cynical than Archie Goodwin you’re not likely to see):
“The most interesting incident Tuesday morning was my walking to a building on Thirty-fourth Street to enter a booth and push levers on a voting machine. I have never understood why anybody passes up that bargain. It doesn’t cost a cent, and for that couple of minutes you’re the star of the show, with top billing. It’s the only way that really counts for you to say I’m it, I’m the one that decides what’s going to happen and who’s going to make it happen. It’s the only time I really feel important and know I have a right to. Wonderful. Sometimes the feeling lasts all the way home if somebody doesn’t bump me.”
Think about it. There’s always a chance that nobody will bump you.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November–December 2026.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
