Why vote?
Because it matters! There are plenty of cases where important elections were decided by only a few votes. Still don’t believe it? Then here are three reasons to vote, justified by rigorous research:
The answer we found lies in the power of voting. Elections are one of the most effective tools for every citizen to shape our shared future, yet many new Czech citizens don’t exercise their right to vote. Studies around the world (1., 2.) show that naturalized citizens often do not vote for various reasons—lack of knowledge about the system, uncertainty about the significance of their vote, or feeling disconnected from the political process.
Our mission is to change this by encouraging those who have become Czech citizens in the past decade, or who will soon become citizens, to actively participate in national and local elections. We want people to have a better understanding of the political landscape and electoral processes, empowering them to make informed decisions and to ensure their voices are heard in Czech society.
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1. Voting really does change government policy.
Politicians respond to voters’ choices–so you have the power to affect how government does business, in everything from taxation, to health care, to international relations. There is extensive research to back this up. [1, 2, 3] There’s also plenty of evidence that elections have a significant impact at the local level. [4, 5] So your vote can change school funding, policies for affordable housing, new infrastructure projects, or policing practices, as just four examples. Don’t listen to the cynics who say that voting doesn’t change anything. That view is simplistic and usually wrong.
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2. If you don’t vote, you let someone else decide for you.
Research is very clear that groups that don’t turn out to vote are less likely to have their interests represented. [6, 7, 8] Democracy is stronger, and society more inclusive, when diverse voices speak up. So don’t surrender the chance to make your voice heard–tell people what you want and what you stand for!
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3. Use it or lose it.
Voting helps protect your rights–including the right to vote. In many countries around the world (including some close by in Central and Eastern Europe!), citizens have lost the power to influence government. [9, 10, 11] Authoritarians hold sham elections, and voting is neither free nor fair. People in the Czech Republic lost their democratic rights after the communist takeover in 1948, and only got them back after 1989. Don’t let history repeat–don’t let would-be despots ignore you: Exercise your right to vote!
Learn what we think about it
Yury's heart
I come from Belarus, a country where elections exist in name only—where votes are cast, but the outcome is already decided. I have seen firsthand what happens when people are denied real political choice, when those in power stay in power regardless of public will. That’s why, now that I live in a democracy, I cannot take the right to vote for granted. Here, my voice matters. My choice has weight. To ignore that right would feel like turning my back on those who still fight for it elsewhere.
I believe democracy is like a bicycle—if you stop pedaling, it falls. If people don’t participate, the system weakens, and the decisions that shape our future are left in the hands of too few. Voting is not just about selecting a candidate; it’s about actively shaping the society we live in. When you vote, you invest in the process, and that investment leads to engagement, awareness, and accountability. You start paying more attention to policies, to governance, to the direction your country is taking. You become part of something bigger than yourself.
Democracy is not perfect, but it is still the best system we have for ensuring that power remains with the people. However, it only works if we participate. A functioning democracy is not a given—it must be nurtured, protected, and exercised. If we don’t vote, we allow others to decide for us, and we risk drifting toward a system where fewer and fewer voices are heard. I know what it’s like to live without a meaningful vote. That’s why I refuse to waste this opportunity. Voting is not just a right—it’s a responsibility, and I intend to use mine.
Ben's heart
Voting is a duty and a privilege. Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I believe that everyone has an obligation to contribute to the community they live in. Voting is one of those obligations. It’s the chance to help decide what I think is best for my community–and I think everyone should have that chance. If you have the right to vote but don’t vote, to me that says that you don’t care much about what happens in the place you live, or about the people you live there with. But not only should we vote–because we’re intelligent adults, because we want to make our community better, because we want to exercise our rights–I think voting is also a tremendous privilege. I benefit so much from this wonderful place I call home; the chance to vote to help make it better is both exciting and wonderful.
Suzanne’s heart
Politics—do we really have to talk about it? It can be confusing to understand what’s going on, how everything fits together, and those politicians can be so frustrating! Sometimes it feels hopeless. But here’s the hard truth: politics shapes your life in a BIG way. From what you learn in school, to what happens when your car gets stolen, to whether you can go on vacation, to how you express who you are—it all ties back to politics. Fortunately, you don’t have to get involved in every debate or decision. But there is one important choice you can make: who do you trust to have power over your life and your loved ones’ lives?
Today, authoritarianism is on the rise. It might seem tempting to leave things to a small group of people who promise they’ll handle everything, solve every problem, and free you from dealing with “politics.” But that’s a big lie (unlike the countless smaller lies of democratic politicians). Authoritarians don’t ask for your input; they make decisions that serve only their own interests, not yours. And their decisions often limit, rather than expand, your freedom. Autocrats want you to sit back, complain, feel powerless, and do nothing. Don’t give them that satisfaction—go vote. For something that impacts your life so profoundly, it’s the least you can do.
And so it matters to care about politics at least once every election. Take a little time to review the candidates and parties, use a voter guide or calculator, and cast your vote. Democracy needs you to make that conscious choice. Is democracy perfect? Far from it. But it remains the most balanced, fair, and representative system we have to come together and decide who will make decisions about our lives. Voting may seem small, but it’s the biggest opportunity to ensure that every voice—including yours—is heard and taken into account. Go vote!