International Day of Peace 2026: How Voting Protects Peace
Happy International Day of Peace!
Observed worldwide every year on September 21st, the International Day of Peace, also known as Peace Day, was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981. This occasion offers a global opportunity for all people to move beyond their differences, dedicate themselves to peace, and help cultivate an international Culture of Peace.
According to the United Nations, peace is “the foundation necessary to collectively tackle humanity’s challenges; It is the lived experience of safety, dignity, opportunities, and cooperation in our daily lives.” This year, the observance centers on the theme “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
The Connection Between Voter Turnout and Peace
Elections directly impact nearly every part of our day-to-day lives: from the funding and governing of our local schools to environmental protections for our air and water, as well as, most notably, the choice of public officials who represent us.
Although voting plays a crucial role in democracy, a significant number of Americans are deterred from political participation due to apathy, skepticism toward the electoral process, or the overwhelming belief that their individual vote does not hold the power to impact elections. The franchise is, however, an extremely powerful means of shaping our political environment and social future.
Analysis conducted by the Center for American Progress reveals that though large margins decide many elections, many other pivotal elections are decided by just a handful of votes:
Between 1976 and 2021, more than 85 U.S. Senate elections were decided by less than 3% of all votes cast.
Between 1976 and 2022, more than 410 U.S. House elections were decided by less than 3% of all votes cast.
In 2016, more than 340 state office elections were decided by fewer than 500 votes.
Of these, more than 85 were determined by fewer than 100 votes.
In the 2000 presidential election, though more than 100 million voters cast ballots, the results boiled down to a margin of just 537 votes in Florida.
Demographically, the voting electorate skews older, whiter, and wealthier compared to non-voters. Consequently, individuals outside these demographics are underrepresented and frequently overlooked by those meant to advocate for them.
In practice, when elected officials prioritize the interests of active voters over non-voters, public policies default to favoring higher-income constituents and further widen social inequality. In a broader sense, when key decisions are left to a non-representative portion of the electorate, it surrenders the future of our nation and the world to leaders and voters who might not reflect our shared vision or core values. True peace cannot exist under those conditions.
3 Ways to Support Peace This Election Season
With the midterm elections quickly approaching, we at BallotReady can’t help but recognize the vital connection between peace and democratic engagement. We believe that lasting peace relies on political participation, especially in democratic systems like ours. Our vision is a future where all people can fully participate in civic life, armed with comprehensive, accurate, and nonpartisan information about their democracy. After all, voting is one of the most powerful and effective ways to change the world!
Here are some quick ways to protect and promote peace through the democratic process:
Vote!
BallotReady has the resources necessary to research your ballot and representatives, register to vote, and create your voting plan. Find more info at BallotReady.org!
Promote Civic Education
Share your knowledge! Promoting media literacy, conflict resolution, and democratic values in schools and public media directly correlates with a more educated electorate. Learn more about how to specifically support student voters here: https://organizations.ballotready.org/research/support-student-voters-2026-midterms
Host a Ballot Party
A Ballot Party is an interactive event where guests come together to research their ballot so that everyone leaves informed and prepared to vote. They can be hosted in-person or online, among friends or with strangers. Our resources are nonpartisan and inclusive, so anyone can host! Find more information here: https://www.ballotready.org/host-a-ballot-party.
Want to learn more about how you can help ensure your community has the resources it needs to stay engaged?
Visit organizations.ballotready.org for more information.