Everyone votes for one reason or another; whether they believe in a particular candidate or issue, they believe it is part of their duty as being an American, or it’s just part of their routine. However, for every reason there is to vote, there are probably just as many reasons that people don’t vote.

Roughly 40% of registered voters actually voted in 2011, and the election mostly centered on referendum questions, not candidates. Not a great turnout. In 2010, when the Governor was elected with a simple plurality of votes, not a majority, the voter turnout was 56.2% of registered voters. This was the highest voter turnout in the country, according to nonprofitvote.org. Great job, Mainers! Unfortunately, we all know from grade school that 56.2% is still failing, or at the very most, a D- if you had a kind teacher.

I can’t say what is wrong with the population in this country that we are failing at voting, and thus, our democracy is failing. Why don’t more people feel compelled to vote? I’m sure there are lots of reasons or excuses like “I had to work and got out late,” or “I was taking care of my sick grandma.” But the thing people say that makes me die inside a little is “I don’t see the point.”

But the thing people say that makes me die inside a little is “I don’t see the point.”For those of you who listen to the Pulse Morning Show and enjoy it, I’m guessing that you understand the point of voting – you are politically savvy to some extent and are looking to get local news and information about your world. So when folks tell me they don’t understand the point, I have to try to understand why.

I think, okay, maybe they don’t understand the vital importance of voting. Maybe they don’t think that their vote counts? Or maybe, just maybe, they don’t see the point of voting because they don’t see a difference between the candidates running for office.

If this is the case, then I can understand completely and even sympathize.

All my life, I have been told not to let other people tell me how to think or act and to be my own person. Well, I’d like to impress that on voters too – don’t let any one person tell you how to vote if you don’t feel strongly enough about a person. Vote for whoever you want! If you don’t want to vote for Obama because you are afraid that Mitt Romney will win, don’t hold your nose and vote for him! Vote for a third candidate – the Green Party is viable!

Why would someone vote for a Green, you ask? Well, ask yourself first why you would vote the lesser of two-evils. Just to hope that the other guy doesn’t get in? If we don’t vote our hopes and convictions and vote for someone that we believe can best lead the country or the state, then we might as well not vote and join the other 43.8% that don’t.

Another reason to look to the Greens is that Greens cannot be bought. Gov. Paul LePage won the election because he had a populist-tone and people who felt summarily ignored by Democrats in this state were seething and looking for a scapegoat - The Democrats. LePage has shown his ties to lobbyists who practically write his proposed bills for him, and making business meetings closed to the public and trying to keep them exempt from Freedom of Information requests. Greens reject these overt displays of politics over people.

I would like to invite folks who want options on the ballot to run as Greens and vote for Greens. This year, I am running for house representative in District 22, which includes part of Glenburn, Kenduskeag, Levant, and part of Corinth. I am running as a Green Independent because I believe this state deserves better leaders and better options on the ballot. We should all think about getting on the ballot and strengthening our democracy for the better. At the very least, vote your convictions, not your fears.

• Find out more about the Green Independent Party.
• Click here to get on the ballot.

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