Have you ever tried to convince a non-voter to become an active participant in democracy? 

If so, you know it’s rarely easy. Some people will listen, some may be swayed, and others, no matter how eloquently you present your points, just won’t hear it. Fortunately, for those stubborn individuals, one of the best arguments against the notion that “voting doesn’t matter” is unfolding right here in the River City.

Last week, our governor faced what some legal circles might call “double lawsuits” — a term I just made up, but the two lawsuits are real. One was filed by a state voting rights group and immigrants rights organization and the other by the U.S. Department of Justice.

We’re pleased that U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has found a good way to spend his time, since he’s not arresting the former president who attempted a coup — but that’s an editorial for another week. Both lawsuits allege Gov. Youngkin purged voter rolls recently, via a decision known as Executive Order 35.

This is a direct attack on the voting power of everyday citizens. If voter purges go unchecked, they may erode confidence in the democratic process and make people feel voiceless. And that’s exactly what some leaders want — less participation, fewer voices and less accountability — for them.

To put things in perspective, the other state that the Department of Justice is investigating for similar action is Alabama. If you paid attention during Black History Month and have an understanding of the history of the civil Rights Movement, then you know that the state, nicknamed, “The Heart of Dixie,” doesn’t have a good track record when it comes to supporting voting rights of its citizens. Yet, our governor’s actions have us in the same boat as a state that consistently ranks near the bottom in most quality-of-life surveys and is known for its regressive laws and policies.

But back to that compelling argument that Gov. Youngkin has crafted for people who don’t think voting matters, by way of his executive order. The fact that efforts are being made to suppress votes proves the opposite of what some non-voters believe. Your vote matters. It matters enough for those in power to try and manipulate the system to keep you away from the polls. It matters enough to trigger lawsuits from both local and national groups, defending your right to be heard on Election Day.

Gov. Youngkin’s actions should serve as a wake-up call. If you’ve been on the fence about whether or not to perform your civic duty, this attempt to strip voting rights from Virginians should motivate you.

The next time someone tells you that voting doesn’t matter, point them to this situation, or others like it. It’s proof that people in power know how much voting matters — otherwise, they wouldn’t be working so hard to silence you.