Dear friends,
I have a voting plan in place for the upcoming election. Do you?
A voting plan is simply where, when, and how you will vote. Since I live in Washington State, I know that I’ll receive my ballot in the mail shortly after October 16. I’ll finish educating myself about the candidates and issues and will vote my ballot at home later that week. Then I’ll walk it up to the ballot drop box in the West Seattle Junction just a few blocks from my house by Saturday, October 24.
Each of our voting plans will look different, and together we can bring about a more representative democracy. Having a voting plan dramatically increases the likelihood that we will follow through and vote, even if unforeseen circumstances arise. Make a plan today and encourage your friends and family to do the same!
Here are some pieces to consider for your plan:
- Are you registered to vote? Check your voter registration at Vote411, which has links to every state’s verification tool. The deadline in Washington State is Oct 26.
- Does your state have early voting? Find out and vote in the weeks leading up to November 3 if you can.
- If you live in a state with in-person voting, do you know where to go? Find your local polling place – it’s as easy as entering your address online.
- When does your poll close? Know your polling place’s hours and try to vote as early in the day as possible. Be in line well before closing time since most states have laws allowing those already in line to stay to vote after the polls close.
- As always, wear a mask and maintain at least six feet of distance between yourself and others.
One thing that all our voting plans will have in common is that we’re going to vote our values. Voting is a vital part of putting our faith into action for the health and well-being of communities and the environment. For those of us who have the right to vote, it is important that we not take that privilege for granted. Participating in the democratic process is essential to living into our values of stewardship and justice.
Voting our values means that we make choices that safeguard the most vulnerable in our society – including communities of color hit hardest by the coronavirus, climate pollution, and systemic racism. Voting our values means we will change the systems that perpetuate inequity. Voting our values means that we are living into our call to create a better world for future generations and all of creation. Voting our values is an act of faith and love.
So whatever the details of your voting plan look like, join me in raising our voices together as we vote our values as people of faith. Your voice matters. Your vote matters.
Please share this information with your friends, family, neighbors, and members of your congregation. Together, our collective voice will make a difference.
Most of all, please vote!
Yours,
LeeAnne Beres (she/her)
Executive Director
