RESIST: VOTE

In the last fifty years, more than 85 U.S. Senate elections and over 410 U.S. House elections were decided by less than 3% of votes cast. Just in the 2016 elections, more than 340 state office races were determined by fewer than 500 votes—85 of those by fewer than 100. 

You’ve heard it countless times, but it’s true: your vote really does matter.

On this election day, it’s easy, even natural, to feel overwhelmed, afraid, and maybe even insignificant. To feel disagreement and unity, fear and excitement, disillusionment and hope—all these conflicting emotions shifting hour by hour, taking root in our minds at once. This intense uncertainty feels both familiar and entirely unnatural, drawing on memories of past uncertainties that can so easily isolate and paralyze us.

But we can’t let that happen today, because today we have a place of action.

Amid this chaos and uncertainty, one thing we can control is going to the polls and making our voices heard. It may be challenging to push past the frustration, especially when we see issues that feel far from our ideals or even violate our principles. But our choice is to do the best we can with the tools we have right now.

There is too much at stake, and your vote matters too much. There’s still time to get out there today. We’re grateful to have the honor and privilege of voting in a democracy today. Be kind to yourself in this moment. Show up for yourself, your grandma and your daughter. Remember you are loved.