Why your vote is so important

This election day, it’s been said that it may all come down to the amount of people that get out and vote. Despite that, many people still won't cast a ballot.

Eyewitness News Political Analyst, Joe Fleming, explained just how much your vote counts for.

For the Presidential Election, the turnout in Rhode Island increases each year. Between 2010-2011 voters grew 17% in the Ocean State. Roughly 70,000-100,000 more people will be casting their vote in Rhode Island this year.

“The votes are very important. You really don’t know until it comes down to the very end of the night how important your vote is,” said Fleming.

In addition to the Presidential race, big races include the U.S. Senate, the Congressional races, and local races. “Town council, school committee, these are races where a few votes will decide them so your vote is very important,” Fleming added.

He believes that the polls will be very crowded Tuesday at the turnout will be great.

It was stressed that the small, local races are highly important. A lot of the statewide officials started locally. Town governments will run based on who is elected. “These small races mean an awful lot,” Fleming said.

If you are voting this Election Day, be prepared to wait in line. Last year the General Assembly combined and reduced the number of polls. Therefore, there will be high numbers lining up at various locations across the state and across the country.

“The wait is absolutely worth it. It’s very important to vote and in Rhode Island, politics is a favorite pastime. Politics goes on 12 months a year in Rhode Island,” Fleming added.

WPRI 12 has your full election coverage all day and night.

You can check http:// www.wpri.com/subindex/elections for the latest and be sure to tune in to Eyewitness News this evening as the returns are coming in.