©Michael Mergen, Precinct 10, Saugus, MA, 2009, from VOTE

No matter where you live, Vote.

©Michael Mergen, Precinct 9, Shelby Township, MI, 2010, from VOTE

In order to create change, Vote.

©Michael Mergen, Early Voting #10, Las Vegas, NV, 2010, from VOTE

To secure a better future for our children, Vote.

©Michael Mergen, Early Voting #23, Las Vegas, NV, 2010, from VOTE

For the health of our planet. Vote.

©Michael Mergen, District 2, Carthage, TN, 2010, from VOTE

In order to stop political extremism, Vote.

©Michael Mergen, Precinct 6, White Lake, MI, 2010, from VOTE

So you can complain with integrity, Vote.

©Michael Mergen, Early Voting #8, Las Vegas, NV, 2010, from VOTE

To ensure a woman’s rights to choose, Vote.

©Michael Mergen, Precinct 52510, Moreno Valley, CA, 2010, from VOTE

To live in a country that celebrates all genders and sexuality choices, Vote.

©Michael Mergen, Precinct 22020, Corona, CA, 2010, from VOTE

To honor those in active duty, awaiting a return home to their nation of equality, justice, and freedom. Vote.

©Michael Mergen, Ward 64, Precinct 11, Philadelphia, PA, 2008, from VOTE

According to Abraham Lincoln, The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” so. Vote.

©Michael Mergen, Precinct 7-1, Centerville, TN, 2010, from VOTE

To honor the 3,000,000 U.S. citizens who gave their lives or have been wounded to protect the constitution that protects your right to self-determine your community, state, and nation, Vote.

©Michael Mergen, Early Voting #2, Henderson, NV, 2010, from VOTE

Because silence gives consent. Vote.

©Michael Mergen, Ward 2, Precinct 3, Philadelphia, PA, 2008, from VOTE

To live in a country where it doesn’t matter who you love. Vote.

©Michael Mergen, Ward 40, Precinct 32, Philadelphia, PA, 2008, from VOTE

To keep assault weapons out of the hands of ordinary citizens, Vote.

©Michael Mergen, Ward 5, Precinct 3, Worcester, MA, 2009, from VOTE

To live in a country free of fear, hate, and tyranny, Vote.

©Michael Mergen, Precinct 2550081A, Glendale, CA, 2010, from VOTE

Democracy only works when we all participate, so Vote.

©Michael Mergen, Precinct 9002139A, Valley Village, CA, 2010, from VOTE

Because a higher turnout makes our democracy more representative. Vote.

©Michael Mergen, Precinct 52221, Moreno Valley, CA, 2010, from VOTE

Because voting is a right generations of Americans struggled to win ― and people in other countries are still fighting for. so Vote.

©Michael Mergen, Precinct 32904, Gilman Hot Springs, CA, 2010, from VOTE

 To protect our National Parks, our water, our forests and oceans. Vote.

©Michael Mergen, Precinct 55, Foster, OK, 2010, from VOTE

Voting is your voice. So use it. Vote

©Michael Mergen, Precinct 2, Brooklyn, MI, 2010, from VOTE

Thousands of immigrants and people from historically marginalized groups can’t vote. Voting is a privilege, and if you have it, you should use it. so Vote.

©Michael Mergen, Precinct 12-1, Dickson TN, 2010, from VOTE

Thank you to Michael Mergen for creating this insightful project that allows us a glimpse into the flawed systems of casting our ballots.

Michael Mergen is an artist based in Farmville, VA. Born in 1978, Michael earned a BFA in photography from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 2000 and an MFA in photography at the Rhode Island School of Design in 2011. His work considers the political and civic nature of United States and its citizens through the medium of photography. His work has been featured in The New York Times Magazine, Harper’s, Mother Jones, and featured on Time magazine’s LightBox and Slate. He has exhibited nationally and internationally and his work is held in several public and private collections, including the University of Maine Museum of Art, the Center for Photography at Woodstock, the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts, Urban Outfitters, Inc., and Center for Emerging Visual Artists. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Photography at Longwood University in
Farmville, VA, where he lives with his wife and daughter.