Voting is about patriotism, not politics

After months of campaigning, two memorable presidential debates, and millions of Americans having already cast their ballots, Election Day has finally arrived — and it’s hard to recall an election in which the stakes have felt higher.

For those of you who haven’t already done so, I do hope you take the time to vote today. Participating in the democratic process is a critical part of our civic responsibility. It’s a right that men and women throughout our history have fought and died for. The opportunity to elect our leaders is embedded among our nation’s most sacred traditions.

I know today’s election has emotions running high across the board, and the uncertainty that’s loomed over this entire year has only intensified some of those feelings. As a student of history, I often look to the past for perspective on how our forebearers approached similarly contentious and challenging times. In his first Inaugural Address in 1801, Thomas Jefferson reminded his fellow Americans to unite, to set aside the bitterness of that year’s presidential campaign, and to:

“…bear in mind this sacred principle: that, though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will, to be rightful, must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal laws must protect, and to violate would be oppression.”

What that means to me is that, no matter the outcome, in our democracy, the political majority has the responsibility to protect the minority, and the political minority has the responsibility to peacefully respect the outcome of a majority decision. That balance isn’t always easy to find, but it’s what has sustained our country since its founding, and it’s what has ensured that we've had peaceful transfers of power throughout our nation's history.

There’s no doubt that today’s election is consequential, but I believe Jefferson’s words provide a timely reminder of the importance of setting aside the electoral partisanship that too often divides us, and to instead remember what unites us: our love for this country and all it represents.

We all want to build a better America. Doing so requires a shared willingness to look beyond our differences, to show empathy for one another, and to work together to address the significant challenges facing our communities and our great nation.

Visit ubs.com/electionwatch for the latest insights on how this race could impact investors, our country and our world.

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