Every vote counts! It’s a phrase we’ve all heard a million times, but how true is it really? In theory, it’s built on the idea that every vote counts. But in practice, not everyone participates. Kevin Costner, known for his iconic roles in Dances with Wolves and Field of Dreams, is no stranger to delivering powerful messages through film.

But in his 2008 comedy Swing Vote, Costner’s character, Ernest ‘Bud’ Johnson, is far from the idealistic hero. He’s a rough-around-the-edges, down-on-his-luck single dad who doesn’t care about politics—until his daughter sneaks into a polling station to cast his vote for him, ultimately making him the deciding factor in a tightly contested presidential election.

Kevin Costner and Madeline Carroll in Swing Vote | Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

When Swing Vote was released in 2008, Costner’s words about the apathy of the rich toward voting reflected a broader reality.