MARICAR A.

ENRIQUEZ
BSN-1B

“My Voting Experience: A Civic Duty and Personal Reflection”

The most recent election has had a profound impact on me as a Filipino citizen,
serving as a political awakening. It is an incredibly disheartening reality to witness,
especially considering the immnse hope we had placed in former VP Leni Robredo’s
presidential candidacy. This experience has compelled me to raise the bar for our
government, urging them to take decisive action and not sttle for the bare minimum. Our
fellow countrymen deserve more than just mediocre effortsin serving our nation.
Selecting righteous leader is not only a civic duty but also a fundamental right as a
human beings. It empowers us to choose what we believe is the best for our
community, specifically in our Barangay. As a part of kabataan, I play significant
importance on participating in the voting process and collaborating in the selection for
the new sets of Kagawads, Punong Barangay, and Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman. It
is not merely a requirement, but rather a genuine desire to wholeheartedly entrust the
governance of our dedication. By actively participating in the voting process, we can
ensure that our voices area heard and that the leaders we elect truly represent our
interests and concerns. This democratic exercise empowers us as young citizens to
contribute to the development and progress of our Barangay, fostering a sense of
ownership and responsibility towards our community.

As a first-time registered voter, I experienced a mix of nerves and excitement. I

was anxious about finding my precinct number and potentially making mistakes during
the voting process. However, I was also eager to see how the voting process compared
to our former school’s SGO election. I was thrilled to find out that it was quite similar,
with the only difference being the use of thumbmark instead of signature alone.
Fortunately, my best friend and I were in the same precinct which provided me some
assurance. We patiently waited in line for our line for our ballot papers and took turns
writing down the names of our preferred candidates. Initially, I was apprehensive
because I don’t personally know all the candidates, but my best friend reassured me
that it was acceptable to skip those I was unfamiliar wiwth. In the end, I only voted four
SK Kagawads and sveen barangay kagawads, I chose six women and one man for the
kagawad positions because I believe in the leadership capabilities of women. They not
only make rational decisions but also consider matters with their hearts, much like
mother’s instincts.
 One essential civic responsibility that is essential to democracy’s operation is
voting. It matters because it gives people the ability to voice their opinions, hold elected
officials responsible, support representation, guarantee orderly handovers of power, and
have an impact on policy decisions. In addition, voting promotes civic education, rights,
protection, social cohesiveness, and the maintenance of checks and balances. A
democracy may find it difficult to run smoothly and run the risk of losing the advantages
it provides to its people as well as its legitimacy if there is a lack of broad involvement in
te electoral process. Without active participation in voting, there is a danger of
marginalized communities feeling unheard and excluded from the decision-making
process. This can lead to a loss of trust in the democratic system and potentially
undermine social stability. Additionally, a lack of broad involvement in elections may
result in policies that do not accurately reflect the diverse needs and values of the
population, unfortunately hindering progress and development. Also a simple reminder
that we are what we support and who we vote.