By Aiya Kelley

It is campaign season, and we are exhausted and fatigued with the multiple mailers, texts, phone calls, door knockers, and candidate events, yet we understand that they are necessities that will not be going away any time, soon. The topic of poor voter turnout in our country, and particularly in our state, is extremely worrisome. But, the majority of those who subscribe to this periodical are most likely what campaign consultants and managers would call 4x4 voters or 4/4s. For those unfamiliar with the aforementioned terms, they represent voters who have voted in four of the last four general elections. As a former candidate and political activist, a great amount of time has been spent in an effort to get voters motivated to cast their ballots so that we can effect change in local, state, and federal government.

According to Ballotpedia.com, “The overall turnout rate of eligible voters in Oklahoma in the 2024 presidential general election was 53.3%. The national average for the same year was 64.1%.” But consider this, Worldpopulationreview.com has Oklahoma ranked fourth in the nation for most conservative in 2026 – just behind Wyoming, West Virginia, and North Dakota, in that order – and yet our state is a great deal below even the national average in voter turnout. Political analysts, campaign strategists, politicians, candidates, and activists such as I scratch our heads while trying to figure out why so many choose not to practice their freedoms, abilities, and responsibilities to vote, and what we can do to stress the importance of every ballot and fix the problem of low voter turnout.

The country we inhabit is by far the greatest and most blessed one in the world. The definition of “poor” in America does not touch what the word means around the globe. If one is well-traveled, he might have firsthand knowledge of what that means, yet, considering that most visitors or even residents from the United States are living on an income, pension, or social security from the U.S., and can still maintain better living standards than the natives, he still will not be able to fully grasp the privilege of being an American. Living a life of luxury often leads to lethargy when it comes to the responsibility of ensuring freedom for those who follow. Our current world is one of instant gratification and a “work hard, play hard” mentality. While there is nothing wrong with planning great family vacations and saving up for the big boat, we know of historical great cities and nations that were destroyed because of lackadaisical attitudes concerning priorities.

Lethargy is represented by voters simply not putting out the energy to get to the voting booth. Our country has made this easy by catering to voters, ensuring that most of them live in close proximity to their polling places and making sure that the address is on their voter registration cards. Voters can also apply for absentee ballots and mail in their ballots. Additionally, early voting dates are set for those who might be unavailable on election day. Not only can requests be made from laptops and desktops, election board websites are user friendly from cell phones. A quick search will bring up phone numbers for local election boards and this has always been an easy way to communicate with people in the office who are more than willing to help.

Another way that lethargy is shown is in people failing to even register to vote. Many do not realize how simple the process is; one can register to vote online if an Oklahoma driver’s license and signature is on file with Service Oklahoma. Of course, registering in-person and by mail are options, as well.

Mistrust of election integrity is another reason that is often expressed. While this has been a valid reasoning in the past, it does not remove the responsibility placed upon each citizen to work to make and to be a difference. It was not in the distant past that several groups of people did not have the rights and the privileges to vote. We owe it to those who gave their lives and who fought for these rights for us. Americans proved that when they show up, they can overcome schemes and machinations to cheat the system and take the power back into the hands of the people. We must never forget that it is the people who can and will overcome.

Some are merely products of inherited family patterns or conditioning. They have never been shown nor taught the importance of showing up and exhibiting their rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Many, like me, were gifted with parents who showed us, by example, to prioritize our rights to express our wishes and desires for strong leadership in politics. Habits can be changed, and we are instructed in Scripture to be chain breakers and cycle disruptors. Voting is a way to do just that!

We are closing in on the June primaries, then on to likely runoffs, and finally the general election, but this message will stay pertinent unless our country suffers, immensely, in a way that will awaken us and bring us to our senses. How can we encourage and motivate those around us who love this country and are excited about conservative leadership, but seem unable to understand the significance of what their own votes mean?

Firstly, we “do not become weary in well doing.” We show up. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. We do our homework and are ready to answer their questions about candidates. We are the examples. We have meet-and-greets at our houses with candidates and implore our friends, family, and neighbors to come. We have our sample ballots filled out and ready to field questions about the candidates. Be willing to help them get registered to vote. This could mean taking them to lunch and giving them rides to the election boards or helping them find the links on their phones.

Many stories are told about the best candidates winning or losing by a handful of votes. Every vote does truly count, and we could be the ones who push that needed candidate over the finish line. From the city council and the mayor to the school board and the county commissioner, from the representative and the senator to the state treasurer and the governor, our votes are what will set the tone for the next two, four, and six years, and we have just a few days to help get out the vote. It is my desire that this piece will inspire you to press on harder than ever to help keep Oklahoma on track by sending conservative patriots to work for us at our State Capitol.

See you at the voting booth!