If You Don't Vote, You Still Have the Right to Complain

"What if your candidate loses? You're not allowed to complain if you don't vote, and if you're anything like me, it would be impossible to stay silent for four years." - Donna Brazile, CNN Contributor

My teachers in High School said it and I still keep hearing it every time we have elections in the United States: "If you don't vote you can't complain." For a time I agreed with the thought, but it's been a while.

In the United States, citizens have the right but not the obligation to vote. By contrast, in Brazil people have both the right and the obligation to vote. If an eligible voter does not vote in any given election, he or she must go to the post office and fill out a form to "justify" their absence from the polls. Voting takes place on Sundays in Brazil, as in many nations of the world, and even still the polling places become quite full. Now, just because people are at the polls does not mean they are casting valid votes. People who do not like any of the candidates, don't understand the process or have something against the electoral process in general cast invalid votes. They vote "blank" or "null." So, what good did it do to legally obligate them to vote?

Further, if a Brazilian citizen does not vote and does not "justify" the fact that they did not vote, he or she will have any number of essential documents suspended, removing his or her ability to sign contracts, obtain or renew a passport or get a loan. There may be thousands of voices or more in defense of such a system, but I call it draconian and unnecessary.

As I have mentioned, in the United States citizens are free to vote or not, as they please. There will be no negative legal or financial consequences for not voting in an American election. However, the non-voter will have to deal with the hassle of well-meaning folks parroting the phrase "If you don't vote you can't complain." I'm sorry, that's wrong.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." - First Amendment, United States Constitution

Free speech is one of those inalienable rights the United States likes to pride itself on. Somehow, though, this pride vanishes when a non-voter expresses displeasure towards a particular politician, political party or policy. A grumbler is asked, "Did you vote?", and in response to a "no" receives the regrettable phrase about not having a right to complain. The First Amendment right to free speech is not contingent on any action or inaction on your part, nor do you particularly need to be a citizen of the United States to enjoy this right.

I plan to vote on November 4 and in every major election, as I always have. My wife, a recently naturalized U.S. citizen, will also be voting (assuming there are no screw-ups from the election people). I encourage every registered voter who is interested in the matters facing our nation to get out and vote.

Just remember: If you don't vote, you can still complain. It's your right.