I never thought I’d cast a ballot in my life. Growing up, I was taught that my vote and my voice didn’t matter. That it was something reserved for others, not for people who are considered “lower class.” I grew up in Kensington and was raised in a working-class family that was not well off but wealthy in other ways. I also believed that voting was a trap; I thought that if I voted one year, I’d be obligated to do it every year, with no option to step away.
For a long time, these beliefs kept me away from the polls and any talks about elections or politics in general. It was easier not to be involved. I told myself that the decisions made by politicians were distant and didn’t impact me personally. Voting was something I would let others handle, believing that my single voice wouldn’t tip the scale. However, as the years passed, I started to see that those “distant” decisions had actual, everyday effects on my life and my community. I would read online about issues, such as the decrease and cancellation of affordable healthcare, child labor laws, school lunch menu changes, and other issues that affect us all, and slowly began to educate myself.
As I started learning more and more about how the voting process works through reading articles and learning throughout my community, I realized that I’d been misinformed about how the ballots were used. Information about my vote is private and not used against me. Voting once doesn’t mean I have to vote every year, and no one would force me to if I didn't want to. Most importantly, I found out that every vote, including mine, could play a huge role in shaping the future for my generation and those to come. Another thing I’ve been misinformed about voting is voter fraud being a huge issue in the US, but that also turns out to be false.
When choosing a candidate to support, do research. Your vote may determine significant changes for you and your family, as well as for the country. For example, issues such as abortion laws, labor, and tax laws will be significantly impacted by this election. These issues are significant concerns for many Americans.
Personally, the key concerns for me are financial support for working-class families and potential changes to abortion laws. As someone who grew up in a working-class family, I understand the struggle of taxes and always just barely making ends meet just to live an everyday life. And I believe that anyone should have the right to abortion.
Your voice is important not only for self-advocacy but also for advocating for others. Voting may seem like a small act, but it’s a powerful one. To anyone who feels their voice is invalid or they’re too small to make a difference, give it a chance. You may be surprised by the outcome. Today, I plan on casting my ballot; I hope to see you there.
While the registration deadline for the 2024 election was Oct 21st, feel free to register for the next election here. Check your voter registration here.
Learn more about voting in your area here.
