Season 5, EP 5. Lets Go with Rosey The Boss Lady: What To Say To Your Relative, Friend, Coworker or Neighbors whose Politics you don't agree on.
VOTE on November 5th. Elections have consequences. Every vote matters. You have the power to make key decisions on the quality of life you want for yourself, your family, and your community. Voting is your chance to stand up for the issues you care about like affordable housing, women’s health, economic justice, environmental protection, and quality education. While Presidential or other national elections draw significant attention, midterm and local elections typically see less voter turnout. Low turnout means that important local issues are determined by a limited group of voters, making a single vote even more statistically meaningful. While certain propositions may be popular and seem like a sure thing, they can fail if people stay home. It’s your right. Not voting is giving up your voice. Today, most American citizens over the age of 18 are entitled to vote in federal and state elections, but voting was not always a right for all Americans. Every vote cast is a testament to the struggles of those who came before us, a tribute to their sacrifices, and a pledge to uphold the principles of democracy. Because the Constitution did not specifically say who could vote, this question was largely left to the states in the 1800s. While no longer explicitly excluded, voter suppression is a problem in many parts of the country. It was not until the 15th Amendment was passed in 1869 that black men were allowed to vote. But even so, many would-be voters faced measures meant to discourage them from exercising that right. This would continue until the 24th Amendment in 1964, which eliminated the poll tax, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which ended Jim Crow laws. Women were denied the right to vote until 1920, when the long efforts of the women’s suffrage movement finally resulted in the 19th Amendment. Later, in 1971, the American voting age was lowered to 18, building on the idea that if a person was old enough to serve their country in the military, they should be allowed to vote. Even today, the battle for voting rights rages on. Voter suppression tactics, disenfranchisement, and gerrymandering threaten to undermine the very foundation of democracy. From stringent voter ID laws to purges of voter rolls, attempts to restrict access to the ballot persist, disproportionately impacting communities of color, low-income individuals, and marginalized groups. Voting is the voice of the people, the mechanism through which we express our hopes, dreams, and aspirations for a better future. It is the great equalizer, where every individual, regardless of background or status, possesses the same weight in shaping the course of our country. Use your right. Exert your power.
