America, We Need to Read—And Vote, Too
By Jack Beckett
Farmington Mercury
America, we’re not reading enough, and it’s doing more damage than your overused Netflix account. Sure, scrolling through social media or binge-watching your favorite shows is fun, but it’s making us less informed and leaving our democracy vulnerable. The numbers are bleak: the average American reads just 17 minutes daily, while spending hours glued to screens (American Academy) (Mental Floss). Worse, nearly half of young adults don’t read books for pleasure (The Library of Congress). This isn’t just about personal growth—it’s about our civic health.
Warren Buffett’s recently departed business partner, Charlie Munger, once said, “In my whole life, I have known no wise people who didn’t read all the time—none, zero.” Yet here we are, consuming bite-sized chunks of entertainment while our ability to think critically and make informed decisions withers. Munger had it right: reading makes you smarter. It gives you the tools to understand the issues shaping your life—and makes you a better voter.
Why Reading and Voting Go Hand in Hand
Informed voters are better voters. If you’re not reading, you’re not educating yourself on the issues that matter, and here’s the kicker: extremists thrive when the majority doesn’t show up. Primaries, where accurate decisions are made, are consistently ignored by most voters, leaving them dominated by fringe voices. As Bradley Tusk puts it in his book The Fixer, primaries are everything, and if you don’t show up, you’re handing over the keys to someone else. Want to get wiser about how politics works? Grab The Fixer here and get ready to see how much you’ve missed.
Without reading, we become passive consumers of information. And when you’re uninformed, you can easily manipulate with soundbites and clickbait. Studies show that people who read regularly are more likely to vote and make more intelligent, more thoughtful decisions at the polls (The Library of Congress). You can’t change the world if you don’t know what’s happening in it.
Voting Is Easier Than You Think
And for those of you who claim you’re too busy to vote, Farmington has got you covered with early voting and absentee ballots. So, if Netflix has you tied up on Election Day (again), there’s still plenty of time to make your voice heard. Early voting runs at the Town Hall Pavilion from Monday, October 21 to Sunday, November 3. Here’s the schedule:
- Monday, October 21 – Monday, October 28: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday, October 29: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday, October 30: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday, October 31: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Friday, November 1 – Sunday, November 3: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
You can also vote by absentee ballot if you’re unable to make it in person. Head over to the Town Clerk’s Absentee Ballots page to see if you qualify and submit your application. For more information on voting in Farmington, check out the Registrar of Voters.
Reading is the Solution
Here’s the challenge: Read more, vote smarter. Take 20 minutes a day to read a news article, a book, or a long-form piece on policy. It’s not just about personal fulfillment—reading makes you a better citizen. As Munger said, “As long as I have a book in my hand, I don’t feel like I’m wasting time.” Meanwhile, we’re wasting hours scrolling aimlessly. Those who read more know more, and they tend to vote with purpose.
Looking for a place to start? Check out The Farmington Mercury. Our Election 2024 coverage is a great place to begin learning about the candidates shaping your future. Interested in how your tax dollars are being spent? Dive into our local zoning and board of education sections for in-depth reporting on issues that impact your daily life. Or, explore our Farmington historic district stories to see how today’s decisions will affect our community for generations.
Special Thanks to Farmington Storage, where your unread books and valuable heirlooms will enjoy museum-quality air. If you’ve got a pile of novels collecting dust, store them with Farmington Storage—and maybe even pull one out and start reading!
For more biting commentary and slow, thoughtful journalism, visit The Farmington Mercury. Follow us on Twitter for more insights, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for in-depth stories that matter.
Jack Beckett
Caffeine-fueled curmudgeon, reluctant voter advocate, and Farmington’s last line of defense against apathy
