A razor-thin margin may well decide who controls Congress for the next two years, and determine if election deniers and anti-choice zealots maintain footholds in federal and state governments. There is no good reason for Democratic voters – or independents who often vote Democrat – or anyone who is tired of the war on women and baseless claims of election fraud - to stay home from the polls next month.
One excuse many voters may use for staying home is that recent polls are showing leads for Republicans, and midterm elections always favor the party not in power. While that may be true, polls are not votes, and votes don’t count unless they are cast. Especially for those who live in a state with a tight House or Senate race, TURNOUT IS EVERYTHING. Even if you are feeling pessimistic, your vote counts, and in some races on November 8, every vote will be necessary to hold or gain a Congressional seat, or at the very least, to avert the disaster of losing both the House and Senate. We outnumber the extremists, but none of it matters if we don't outvote them on November 8.
Some Democrats plan not to vote because they’re mad at the Biden administration. Not enough student loan relief, too little effort to get Americans released from Russian prisons, not enough steps taken to halt inflation… Sure, there are valid reasons to criticize President Biden, but withholding your midterm vote out of spite is not going to help matters. If Republicans take over Congress, student loan relief progress will be at risk, federal laws limiting abortion will be on the table, and many of the steps the Biden administration has taken to undo the damage of the prior administration will be up in the air.
No competitive Congressional races in your state? No problem! There are plenty of statewide reasons to get to the ballot box. Many secretaries of state have key roles in carrying out election laws, including investigating claims of fraud – baseless or not - and even decertifying election results with which they don’t agree. State legislatures can pass bills that allow lawmakers to override the will of the voters. They – along with governors - also have the power to change state laws regarding access to abortion. Elected officials at the state level can wreak as much havoc as in the U.S. Congress.
Of course, if you’re reading this, you are likely already planning on voting; I realize I’m preaching to the choir. So I ask you to reach out to friends and family who may need a little coaxing to get out and cast a ballot. Encourage them to vote, help them find their polling place, offer a ride to the polls, or even help them figure out how to vote early, if that is an option in their state. The higher the turnout on November 8, the better the result for Democrats, and the worse the result for Trump Republicans. It’s that simple. And it’s that important.
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