Elle Vampa

I’m on my way to a specialist pet store (mine are the most spoiled degus ever), and my mom is sitting next to me in my car.

I’m changing lanes while trying to keep the otherwise scarce sunlight from blinding me.

It’s the day before European Election Day and my mom and I are discussing – gulp – politics.

---

ME: I have no idea who to vote for. I can barely decide on a national level, let alone European-wise. I might not go…

MOM: Well, voting is my right, something women have fought long and hard for. So I’m going to vote!

ME: I feel the same, but I’m just so confused.

[short silence]

ME: Who will you vote for?

MOM: The National Interest Party. They have our country’s best interest at heart.

ME: Okay. So, what’s our best interest?

MOM: What do you mean?

ME: What does this party think is our country’s best interest?

[silence]

MOM: I don’t know. But I’m sure it’s positive.

ME: What if this party’s vision on our country’s best interest is “out with all the immigrants”? Or: “Climate change is a hoax”?

[more silence]

MOM: I see your point.

ME: I wonder what’s more dangerous: not voting, even though we’ve been given the right? Or voting for a party, regardless of knowing what they’re about?

[very long silence]

MOM: You’re right. I won’t vote either.

---

Thus, today marks a sad personal milestone. Because for the first time in almost 20 years, I forfeited my right to vote.

I am not proud of myself at all, but the idea that I could potentially do more harm voting for something I don’t comprehend/support won the battle in the end, leaving the idealistic “I must vote, because people fought for my right to” in a sour second place.

Sorry.

What did you do/Would you have done? Vote blindly or not vote at all?