WHY YOUR VOTE MATTERS

I voted for the first time in 2016 during the presidential election that got Donald Trump sworn into office. I’m ashamed to admit that because I was 21 at the time. For one, I’m ashamed that I hadn’t taken an active part in the fight for change and allowing my voice to be heard prior to that election — being that I was given the opportunity to do so since turning 18.

But most importantly, I’m ashamed that I didn’t take a moment to understand how hard many of our ancestors fought for our voice to matter & our say so to be valued.

I can’t believe I didn’t realize how much my vote actually mattered prior to that election.

Why?

Well for one, when my vote mattered prior to the 2016 Presidential Election (for a say so in my community), I didn’t allow my voice to be heard. Things that usually seem minute in thought, but are bigger than you could imagine (school districts, district housing, and so forth) required my vote… Hell my opinion on the matter and I didn’t show up. I failed to do my part (as small of a part as it may be in the grand scheme of things, but still MY part). I assumed that everyone else would do their part and my vote didn’t matter.

I didn’t do my part to contribute to the betterment of the community I live in and after acknowledging that — I promised myself no more. With such sentiments leading to my participation in the last Presidential Election. Unfortunately, the man I didn’t vote for made it into office — but the bigger picture. The point that mattered to me more than anything? I showed up for my community, for myself, and went out & voted. I got registered through the proper channels and voted.

Don’t get me wrong though.

Getting involved in voting did not mean I was going to start spending countless hours clued into CNN or whatever media outlets broadcast political information 24/7. If I’m being honest, before I could even do that I had to spend the time to learn. Like really learn y’all.

I had to retrain my brain to come to a better understanding of the basic things a new voter should be aware of. I’m talking, all the knowledge we were supposed to gain in our U.S. Government classes to keep and not hold for temporary storage.

This includes, but is not limited to:

Three branches of government (& what they each entail),

Policy formation,

Economic policies,

and so forth. 

It’s with the knowledge I have gained in the past several years that I was able to make an informed voter decision (based on where I am in my life and what values matter to me).

This post is not meant to convince you of why you should vote Democratic or Republican in the coming election in November. Although, if you know baby you know. Instead, it’s meant to encourage all you babes to be active in your community — ultimately helping to implement change that will have a direct impact on your lives.

Yesterday was national voter registration day. A day meant to bring awareness to the vitality of voting here in The United States. However, though the day has passed — it does not mean that the chance to get registered has.

By going to, whenweallvote.org you can get registered to vote (if you haven’t already). AND IF YOU HAVE REGISTERED TO VOTE, you can find out helpful information relative to important dates you need to know + the last day to register to vote in the 2020 election (so that your loved ones/friends are informed).

I’ll also have that information below, so keep reading for critical dates you need to be aware of to fully prepare for the 2020 Presidential Election:

If you are registered to vote, GET OUT THERE & DO JUST THAT when the time comes. With the 2020 Presidential Election a mere 41 days away, get out & vote.

Many of you aren’t like me and have been voting for years and years to no avail, but that doesn’t mean that you give up or stop fighting to be heard.

Still not convinced?

Well let me break it down plain and simple, and give you 5 pointed reasons why your vote matters.

1) It allows you the opportunity to potentially implement change.

2) You have the chance to become an active participant within your community.

3) The passion for what (or who) you believe in could inspire the next person to get involved (potentially rooting for your champs as well).

4) You get to stand for your beliefs without being generalized or misrepresented.

5) As millennials, we are a powerful force known to shake a table or two when we throw our opinions in the equation.

SO to shaking tables this election year as we get out and make our voices heard,

Thelms xx

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