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The National Association of Realtors, one of the largest trade organizations in the United States, is urging those who don't think their vote matters in the upcoming November election to consider these historical events:
* Rutherford Hayes was elected president in 1876 by one electoral vote.
* The purchase of Alaska from Russia was ratified in 1867 by just one vote.
* Texas was annexed to the Union in 1845 by one vote.
* President James Polk's request to declare war on Mexico in 1846 passed by just one vote. That war resulted in U.S. acquisition of Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, California and part of Colorado.
If one vote makes such a big difference, why do some people opt not to vote? Surveys show that most nonvoters say they don't care or don't feel their vote matters. That's why the National Association of Realtors is urging people to vote, because their vote does make a difference, especially in the area of housing issues. The association's research indicates that despite all of the other concerns America faces, affordable housing ranks as voters' third greatest concern, just behind healthcare and the economy.
In the last presidential election in 2000, less than 55 percent of all 193,199,543 eligible voters turned out to vote. The national election on Nov. 2 is critical at all levels of government--local, state and federal. Not only will voters elect a president, but also a new Congress, with all 435 seats of the House of Representatives and about one-third of the Senate's 100 seats up for election.
And, of course, numerous state and local officials, as well as issues from growth management to school issues, will be decided at local polls.
The National Association of Realtors is asking citizens to consider which candidates at the national, state and local levels best represent their views on homeownership, the economy, taxes, growth, privacy, technology and the environment.
Known as the "Voice for Real Estate," the National Association of Realtors is ever-present on Capitol Hill, appealing to lawmakers on behalf of America's homeowners on such issues as affordable housing, community revitalization, growth planning and the environment, residential real estate finance, taxation and the involvement of banks in the real estate business.
At the local level, Silicon Valley Association of Realtors is one of 1,600 local trade organizations that monitor real estaterelated issues through their government affairs department. As advocates for Realtors and homeowner rights, the association's government affairs department is responsible for legislative and community affairs agendas in local jurisdictions from Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Saratoga to Menlo Park, Woodside and Palo Alto.
As the election approaches, voters have an opportunity to make their voice heard through the polls and know that one vote can make a difference.
Information provided in this column is presented by the Realtor members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors at www.silvar.org.
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