28 motivational quotes for politics, elections and democracy

That's why we've rounded up our favorite 28 Motivational Quotes For Politics, Elections And Democracy about the importance of political action.

It's simple to become preoccupied with the present and tune out the political scene. 

Additionally, it's not difficult to turn off the breaking news notifications and limit discourse to "civilized" topics (i.e., steer clear of politics!). 

But here's the deal. Legislators' decisions have very significant repercussions for everyday Americans. And a civically active society is one in which everyone participates. 

Do you intend to wait it all out? Well, that merely gives someone else greater authority to make decisions.

But we are aware that you are not that kind of person. You're interested in the world and wish to improve it. 

No such thing as not acting exists. But sometimes all you need is a little motivation to engage in politics more.

Elections:

• “The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men.”

• “Every citizen of this country should be guaranteed that their vote matters, that their vote is counted and that in the voting booth, their vote has as much weight as that of any CEO, any member of Congress, or any President.” Barbara Boxer

• “Voting is a right best exercised by people who have taken time to learn about the issues.” Tony Snow

•  “The voting booth joint is a great leveler; the whole neighborhood – rich, poor, old, young, decrepit, and spunky – they all turn out in one day.” David Byrne

• “Voting is fundamental in our democracy. It has yielded enormous returns.” Arlen Specter

• “I believe that voting is the first act of building a community as well as building a country.” John Ensign

• “Voting is the foundational act that breathes life into the principle of the consent of the governed.” DeForest Soaries

• “Young people need to vote. They need to get out there. Every vote counts. Educate yourself too. Don’t just vote. Know what you’re voting for, and stand by that.” Nikki Reed

•  “Never turn your back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Never run away from anything. Never!” Winston Churchill

• “Do the unexpected. Take 20 minutes out of your day, do what young people all over the world are dying to do: vote.” Rick Mercer

•  “Vote early, and vote often.” Al Capone

Democracy:

• “Democracy is not something that happens, you know, just at election time, and it’s not something that happens just with one event. It’s an ongoing building process. But it also ought to be a part of our culture, a part of our lives.” Jim Hightower

• “No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime. Young people must be included from birth. A society that cuts off from its youth severs its lifeline.” Kofi Annan

•  “So long as we have enough people in this country willing to fight for their rights, we’ll be called a democracy.” Roger Nash Baldwin

• “Anti-democracy…is a virus that exists, and pro-democracy is the antibody to that virus, and I think we have to become vigilant, and we have to stay on top of the issues of democracy and freedom.” Harry Belafonte

• “The primal principle of democracy is the worth and dignity of the individual.” Edward Bellamy

• “Democracy is the ultimate, positive revolution because it gives each and every individual the power to control their lives. And we can work together to create a just, sustainable world.” Bill Blackman

• “The only title in our democracy superior to that of President is the title of citizen.” Justice Louis D. Brandeis

• “We preach the virtues of democracy abroad. We must practice its duties here at home. Voting is the first duty of democracy.” Lyndon B. Johnson

•  “I’d like people to be educated on the voting machines, making sure that our democracy isn’t being hijacked by computer technology. There’s no reason there can’t be a paper trail on those machines.” Eddie Vedder

• Democracy is about voting and it’s about a majority vote. And it’s time that we started exercising the Democratic process.” Debbie Stabenow

• “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

• “Democracy is not just the right to vote, it is the right to live in dignity.” Naomi Klein

 Politics:

• “It is the duty of every citizen according to his best capacities to give validity to his convictions in political affairs.” Albert Einstein

• “A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country.” Texas Guinan

• “Ideas are great arrows, but there has to be a bow. And politics is the bow of idealism.” Bill Moyers

• “The Constitution is the guide which I will never abandon.” George Washington

• “We must try again to be alive to what the people of our country really long for in our national life: forgiveness and grace, maturity and wisdom. … Our political leaders will know our priorities only if we tell them, again and again, and if those priorities begin to show up in the polls.” Peggy Noonan