"I vote because..."
How would you finish that prompt?
I'm not sure how many different endings I've created for it since my local activist group first linked up with Vote Forward. At a recent meeting, I was gratified to learn that Vote Forward - in partnership with local activist groups like mine all over the U.S. - has encouraged over 37 million people to vote since 2018. The sample letters and instructions are provided to anyone who wants to get involved. Visit their website; it's not too late.
The final Vote Forward push in this election cycle is aimed at under-represented voters in the swing states. I mailed forty letters just before leaving home to welcome my new grandson into the world. Doing so felt right because the energy I'm putting in right now aligns with my growing concern about the fragility of our democracy and the potential impact voter suppression could have on his future. Working with Vote Forward the last six years and assisting the League of Women Voters in their voter registration drives since 2020 are two ways that have helped me put into action my belief in the importance of voting.
For the record, in my latest group of letters, I finished the prompt as follows: "I vote because I want to honor those who came before me and were denied the right to vote." As a student of history, I was satisfied making my plea this way. I hope it speaks to at least one potential voter who receives it.
Bravo! I vote because...I don't take it for granted (I am a Naturalized Citizen); It is a privilege but also an obligation. (In Australia all citizens are required to vote. How they inforce that is a mystery to me.)
ReplyDeleteInes; Thanks for offering two ways to respond to that prompt. Fingers crossed for November 5.
DeleteHey Pat. I Vote Because - I can ! Because I have to. Because if I don't vote I have no right to complain ! Because, this election year, more than any other election I have been able to vote in, is without a doubt THE MOST important election of our time. We voted early this year. It took 45 minutes from start to finish but there was no way I wasn't going to get my vote cast. I've never had any issues voting on Election Day previously but this year I wanted to be absolutely sure my vote was in. Now the waiting starts. I remain cautiously optimistic that the change we need is coming. But back to your question .. I Vote Because I Must !!! We All Must !!!
ReplyDeleteBe well,
Bob
Bob; Thanks for finishing the prompt in several ways. Doing so, probably gave you more insight into why my conclusion to that prompt varied each time I sat down to write these letters for Vote Forward, something I've been doing for over seven years, beginning soon after Orange Alert was elected in 2016.
Delete