100 Influential Women on Why They’re Voting in the 2020 Election

“I believe voting is part of a deep responsibility I have to make this country better. Every right and liberty I enjoy has been voted into law. Now those of us who have those rights must vote in the interest of others. The world I want to live in isn't reflected in our government officials and that needs to change. That's why I'm voting.”

“When talking about voting, I feel a sense of ‘indebted gratitude.’ I vote to pay respect to the leaders who have put their lives on the line for the rights of my communities to access the polls; I believe it to be a personal responsibility to continue and honor their legacies—from the brilliant and impassioned Congressman John Lewis to the trailblazer Ida B. Wells. Voting is a powerful activation of civic engagement and an invaluable opportunity to carry with me the voices of the underrepresented.”

“I vote because I want the world to be a better place. Our world is facing multiple crises that affect all of our daily lives. The health of our communities, our country, and our world depends on engaged citizens making sure our voices are heard. And that starts with voting.”

“I am voting because I want change. I want radical, life-altering, culture-shifting change. I want politicians who truly represent the will of those who do not shrink when they hear words like, ‘inclusion,’ ‘equality,’ and ‘justice.’ I am voting because Black Lives Matter and I want to ensure our voices are heard loud and clear. I am voting because I want better and more for those who have been forced to swallow empty campaign promises for generations without seeing much difference time and time again. I am voting precisely because I've grown weary and I am looking towards the potential lifeline that elections and new voices can bring.”

“The healthcare system is a disaster. LGBTQIA+ rights are under attack. Black people are killed by the police. Many Americans aren't earning living wages. Funding for schools, social workers, and mental wellness professionals is abominable. The list goes on. So I'm voting not because the system suddenly became broken. I'm voting because the system was specifically designed to be broken. My vote says, ‘I know what you're doing and I won't stand for it.’ My vote announces the beginning of my work to help dismantle the harmful institutions that run America.”

“I am voting because becoming a United States citizen is the most important thing that ever happened to me. I came to the U.S. as a little girl, after my family fled fascism and communism. My father said that when we were in Europe during World War II people would say, 'We are sorry for your troubles and hope that you have everything you need; by the way, when will you be leaving to go back home?' But in America, people said: 'We are sorry for your troubles and hope that you have everything you need; by the way, when will you become a citizen?' It is the privilege and responsibility of every U.S. citizen to vote this November.”

“I am voting in the 2020 election for marginalized communities that for too long have been unseen and unheard. I am voting for competent leadership to address the continuing public health crisis and our worsening economic crisis. I am voting to fight back against voter suppression tactics that disproportionately impact voters of color. I am voting to ensure we have leadership that not only sees our values as Americans, but works to address their needs. I am voting because voting is power.”

“I’m voting in November because we can and must be better, as a country. I think voting is one step in getting us there—a nation where Black lives matter, women are respected, trans people live full and dignified lives, and where people have what they need to live well. I’m voting because I want to see new and visionary leadership at all levels of government—from City Hall to Congress. I’m voting to improve my life and the lives of the people I love.”

“This summer marks the centennial of women winning the right to vote. But not all women. Black women were shamefully left out even though they fought for suffrage. It took four more decades to right that wrong, and the fight for full voting rights for all continues today. Now, 100 years later, women—across race, geography, background, ability, and more—have the opportunity to make history as the majority of voters and elect the first woman vice president. This November, I'll be with them.”

“I vote for the Black women baptized into America’s hell, but who always create our own glory. For the South African disabled activists who gifted us a simple credo: nothing about us without us. The vote is a sacred seedling of transformation. It’s why the powers that be try desperately to steal it—and why I will never, ever give it away. Silence doesn’t break chains. It never has, and it never will.”

“COVID-19 has highlighted how deeply the government is failing women, families, and communities of color. Lack of access to paid leave, child care, and health care have made life needlessly difficult—pandemic or no pandemic. This election is our chance to build a country that works for everyone. If women vote to turn the Senate blue and elect Joe Biden, we can do that. Women spent decades fighting for our right to vote because they knew a more just, inclusive America would be a stronger one. Let’s prove them right.”

“I'm voting because it's the core of our power in a democracy and ceding that power plays into the hands of the opposition. Now, more than ever, we need to elect leaders who are committed to ensuring that reproductive freedom is for every body, and that people, regardless of their race or how much money they make or where they live, can make their own personal decisions about pregnancy without politicians interfering.”

“Need a reason to vote? I’ve got 160,000 reasons, and counting. Do it for them.”

“I am voting because I believe that every vote counts! My ancestors marched, fought, and died for me to be able to vote. I don’t take that for granted!”

“I’m voting because people currently in the White House don’t want me to.”

“We will be voting this year and we hope all of you beautiful souls will be as well. As the youth a part of this generation, we have no problem speaking up for what’s right and raising our voices and demanding change. Now is our time, now is our moment. Whether you’re standing in line at the polls or doing the mail-in ballots, make sure you let your voice be heard.”

“I’m voting this November because we don’t have a choice. As a woman, as a millennial, as someone who cares about the kind of world we live in now and the future we’re building, I know that voting and changing who holds power is our only hope—before it’s too late.”

“I'm voting to honor Ida B. Wells, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, Daisy Elizabeth Adams Lampkin, Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin, and so many others who fought for my right to vote. At an unprecedented time when our democracy and voting rights are under attack, I'm voting because so many people still don't want me to show up. I'm voting because I won't be silenced.”

“It seems like every election is touted as the most important of our lifetimes. The difference with 2020 is that it’s true. The array of crises piling upon Americans is extraordinary. The most consequential protest movement in half a century transforms our country. The most alarming civil disorder in generations wracks our cities. The first true pandemic in a century brings death to our communities, and collapse to our economy. The challenge of rival powers abroad threatens our standing in the world—and the peace we’ve come to expect. All these things are felt directly in our communities, our homes, and our lives. All these things are solvable—or not—depending on how Americans vote on November 3. I’m not here telling you to do it one way or another. I’m here telling you to do it.”

“This is 2020. A huge reason why I am voting is because the congressional district lines will be drawn by the state representatives we elect this year. It’s crucial we focus our attention on down ballot candidates who are more likely to draw districts that are not gerrymandered. Voters should select our representatives—not representatives selecting voters. I am voting for reproductive rights, racial justice, civil rights, climate justice, economic justice. I am voting for the hope of campaign finance reform. HR1 needs to be signed into law to secure every citizen's right to vote. We need money out of politics so that our representatives are working for their constituents and not their donors. HR1 could be the beginning of that. I hope everyone fills out their census information—it’s just as important as the election. Voting is about us being counted. So is the census. We should all be counted.”

“I vividly remember my parents taking me with them to the polls for every election during my childhood. They wanted to reinforce over and over again the importance of civic participation through voting. We would spend days before the election discussing all of the candidates on the ballot and the reasons for their preferences. They explained the sacrifices people had made so that they could have the right to vote. We'd talk about my great-great grandfather who was one of the first Black legislators in Louisiana, understanding that his election was made possible because his supporters voted. I can still remember the giddy excitement that I felt the first time I was eligible to vote in 1976 as those childhood memories came rushing back, an emotion that has stayed with me every time I vote.”

“There is so much we cannot control. However, when it comes to those who represent us in this country, we have a unique opportunity. 2020 marks the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment when our country acknowledged women had a voice that needed to be part of our democracy. Female voices are so important to our future, and I’m proud to be one of these voices that’s opening doors for the next generation. Every day is an opportunity to make a difference. I vote because it gives me a chance to make meaningful change.”

“I believe we need to create an inclusive democracy that works for all of us. And so I vote because it’s one core way I ensure that my voice and values are heard. While the system is clearly flawed, I do think that it’s important to remember that we also vote on issues and the leaders who can provide solutions to our concerns at both the local and national level. I believe that our vote matters and collectively it shapes our future.”

“Structural change begins at the ballot box. To change unfair and unjust laws that disproportionately impact communities of color, we must change the lawmakers. That’s why I’m committed to voting for and electing leaders that advance political equity for the Black community. I'm voting to make sure my sons, Carter and Elijah, can grow up in a society where they can thrive and aren’t considered a threat or treated unjustly. For me, every election is an opportunity to vote for a future where they can be unapologetically Black and achieve their dreams.”

“After four years of raising our voices in protest, we are now less than 100 days away from making our voices heard at the ballot box (or by mail!). This year I’m voting not only to honor and exercise my fundamental right to participate in democracy—but to demand that we revitalize and renew our democracy itself. I’m voting for those who will fight for an America that finally, fully rises to and realizes its promise of justice, equality, and dignity for us all. (And that includes candidates who take a stand for menstrual equity!)”

“I am voting as another tool to take intentional action in a world where indifference is simply not enough. My vote is alongside my march, my vote is alongside my BIPOC, woman, disabled and queer-owned purchases, my vote is alongside my demands to my neighbors, friends, representatives, and institutions to show up for marginalized communities. Yes, I am voting but keeping in mind that voting is not enough. We must continue to find ways to do the work and demand accountability amongst ourselves, each other, and the world. Our literal lives are depending on it.”

“I’m voting because we need leaders who will put women workers first by fighting for a world where every person is treated with the dignity and respect we deserve on the job, no exceptions. Whether because of the COVID pandemic, unchecked sexual harassment, the economic recession, or racial injustice, working women—and especially women of color— deserve champions at every level of our government.”

“I’m voting because the outcome of this election will mean the difference between life and death for far too many Americans. We have a moral obligation as voters to elect leaders who will finally address our nation’s gun violence crisis and prioritize gun safety laws once they're in office. These same lawmakers must address the systemic racism, bigotry, and sexism that endangers the most vulnerable members of our society and makes them more likely to be victims of gun violence. We don't have to live like this, and Americans sure as hell shouldn't die like this. That's why this November, I’ll be voting for gun sense candidates up and down the ballot.”

“New York is experiencing three concurrent crises: a crisis of health with COVID-19, the economic crisis of mass unemployment, and the crisis of racism in our systems of law enforcement. All three of these crises have something crucial in common. They haven't presented us new problems, but they've set on fire existing ones. But what if these broken systems weren't built to last in the first place? What if a better world is possible? These are systemic problems and I'm proud to have been fighting for systemic solutions like Medicare for all, a federal jobs guarantee, and the end to mass incarceration. This election day is a big day for people who have been left behind. People are coming together in an unprecedented movement to build a better future and a better world. It's time to bring the movement to the voting booth. And that's why I'm voting on Election Day.”

“I’ve lived in this country for 22 years, 12 of those years as an undocumented immigrant, and this November I’ll vote in my first presidential election. Immigrants have been the target of hate and racism under this administration. Trump has terrorized immigrants by stripping away protections like DACA and unleashing ICE and CBP agents to separate families, put kids in cages, and jail immigrants in detention camps. The lives of people in my community are at stake in this election. This November, I’ll cast my vote to defend my undocumented parents, my brother who has DACA, and millions of people impacted by deportation, detention, and family separation.”

“I’m voting because voting is our superpower! We can elect people who will allow women to plan their own families, treat LGBTQ people with respect, and release Black communities from the grip of racialized law enforcement. American women had no right to vote until 1920, when decades of efforts by thousands of women who protested and organized, struggled and suffered, finally resulted in the adoption of the 19th Amendment. Join me in unleashing the power those courageous women bequeathed to us—and vote like your rights depend on it!”

“I vote because it’s one of the most important ways I can participate in dismantling the man-made inequity that was built into the fabric of this country. I vote because we need better lawmakers to create and uphold better laws. I vote because I believe in universal access to quality education, healthcare, and the right to choose. I vote as an act of solidarity with my community. I vote not just for myself, but for the safety, equity, humanity, justice, and freedom for BIPOC and LGBTQ people.”

“Voting is inherently about harm reduction. As a survivor, I believe in the work of healing and finding pathways forward that cause the least amount of harm. That means it's important for me to be proactive, and showing up in the voting booth is one of the ways I get to do that. There is so much at stake for sexual assault survivors in this country, especially as we push to have real conversations about community and public safety. I’m insistent on making sure that those who claim to have our best interest know what we want.”

“I’m voting because working families across our country are struggling and we haven’t done enough to give people the skills they need to get a good job. I’m voting because our future is at stake: racial justice, climate change, and opportunity are all on the ballot this election.”

“I’m voting because it has never been more clear why who we elect matters, including mayors, governors, and legislators, who are making life and death decisions every day. Unfortunately, we have people in power who’ve shown they’ll stop at nothing to keep people they disagree with from voting—because they know that by voting, we can change literally everything that’s happening in this country right now.”

“I’m voting for my communities: Black, Disabled, Queer communities. I’m voting because I deserve, all people deserve a government in which they have a say in what happens to them. I’m voting to say I’m here and I’m not going anywhere! I’m voting because I want better for the people coming after me.”

“This is a time for unity and change. We must be able to count on our leaders to protect our families, and this country is crying out for sensible leadership. I’m proud to vote this fall so we can elect leaders who will improve this country and make it safer and stronger for all Americans.”

“I’m voting for the rights of minorities; to show support and solidarity with the LGBTQ community and for the progressive candidates who are interested in protecting the rights of the people who have been marginalized. I am not voting in the interest of my taxes. I am voting for human rights, decency, and the future.”

“I hope we can all feel in our bones that this is the most consequential election of our lifetime. There is too much at stake to sit on the sidelines. I want to use my voice to be an active participant in changing the status-quo because it is not an equitable path forward. That’s why I’m voting.”

“Your vote is your voice. We need people in Washington, in the State Capitol, and in City Hall who will stand up for working families. We need allies who will speak truth to power and get powerful people to admit the truth. We need change. This November, let’s make ourselves heard, loud and clear.”

“I'm voting because Black women didn't have the right to vote until 12 years before I was born. I'm voting for my 11-year-old daughter who doesn't have the right to vote now. I'm voting simply because I can, and that is a liberty I am not willing to give up.”

“I vote because it’s an action towards change. It’s the way we make our voices heard and put people into power who align with our values. Voting is one of the single most powerful things you can do to change systemic issues in society. Don’t take it for granted.”

“Planned Parenthood was founded on the belief that our bodies are our own. Since day one, the Trump administration has undermined access to sexual and reproductive health and undercut our health safety net—with a devastating impact on Black and Latinx people, the LGBTQ+ community, women, immigrants, and families with low incomes. I’m voting to ensure we elect champions committed to bodily autonomy and freedom, who believe health care is a right, not a privilege, and who will fight for everyone’s access to affordable, quality care.”

“Voting is an act of love. When we vote, we choose the people and the values that will govern our country and determine our future. Our elders fought for the right to vote because that choice determines everything from whether we can take a day off to care for a sick family member, to our ability to be safe in our homes and communities, and have jobs that allow us to pay the bills and realize our potential. When we vote, it is an act of love for ourselves, our families, and our future. It’s about believing that we deserve better—that we can and must be better as a country—and acting on it.”

“Since suing Fox News CEO/Chairman Roger Ailes for sexual harassment four years ago, my mission has been to stop silencing women in the workplace. My non-profit is working to eradicate non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) used to cover up toxic workplace environments. Our work will make American workplaces safer for everyone! Your vote matters by choosing candidates who support women’s rights. Please join me in living every day by the quote I live by: 'One woman can make a difference, but together we rock the world!'”

“No election has ever mattered more. We are living in a state of emergency for our planet. We are reckoning with unbearable racism in our country. We are grieving as a pandemic upends our lives and puts millions of people out of work. Our lives depend on who our leaders are. And judges matter too. We need fair courts to check abuse and secure a livable future. This election will shape the courts for decades. As voter suppression threatens our democracy, I won’t take my right to vote for granted.”

“I’m voting because–in a moment when our communities are facing overlapping crises of public health, economic inequality, and systemic racism–November 3 is a chance to elect leaders who value the lives and dignity of our communities. Following generations of policies that have worsened the hurt and harm facing our communities, we have the opportunity to legislate healing and justice, but only if we organize, mobilize, and VOTE for it.”

“I’m voting because the best way to follow in the footsteps of the women who fought for our right to vote is to use the power of our voices. They saw that our country wasn’t perfect. Yet they embraced America instead of rejecting it, and they put in the hard work to fix it. Every time we vote, we honor them. Voting allows us to make America more free, more just, and more equal for all. We can’t wait for someone else to act. We have to be out there, fighting for our country and making its promises a reality. Because on our worst day, we are blessed to live in America.”

“I’m voting because I’m tired of playing defense. I’m voting because 30 years after the ADA was signed into law, I shouldn’t have had to spend so many long days and even longer nights working to save it from being rolled back. It’s time to stop being satisfied with simply protecting gains that were won three decades ago and start working to elect a government that will truly dedicate its time and resources to making America accessible to all. Let’s go on offense—it’s possible if we vote.”

“I vote because…my heart burns for a more fair, safe, equitable society for all. Because I want to answer the problems in our country with active solutions. Because I cannot stand the status quo, the enmiring of our nation in racism, and a society that mainly benefits the rich. Because I want protections for our environment guaranteed for my children’s children. Because I want to see systemic change to prevent sexual violence and harassment. Because I want to see the ideal of this country become a reality.”

“It can feel daunting. You may be wondering what your single vote could do. So imagine a little termite, staring up at a house. To us, it may look like nothing more than an indistinguishable, powerless little dot! But collectively, termites are capable of infiltrating the foundation, collapsing the walls, becoming all-consuming until they cannot be ignored. That little dot can take down the whole house. We would be foolish and ignorant to doubt its significance.”

“I’m voting on November 3 because who is in office at every level matters, especially in moments of crisis. We need elected officials who believe that all people—regardless of race, religion, sex, gender or who they love—are created equal; that access to quality healthcare and education is a fundamental human right. We need elected officials who make decisions rooted in science and facts. We need elected officials who are committed to making voting easier for all Americans. Voting is not only our opportunity, it is our duty as citizens to be heard and shape the future we want for ourselves, our children, our communities, our country and world. And, as we’ve seen time and time again, every vote counts.”

“I'm voting in 2020 because everything I care about is on the ballot. Our health care is on the ballot in this election. Our reproductive rights are on the ballot in this election. Climate change and our ability to save our planet from this existential threat is on the ballot in this election. Protecting our communities, our friends, and our schools from this threat of gun violence is on the ballot in this election. And healing our country by correcting the long legacy of racism is on the ballot in this election. So many people talk about this as if we're just electing a new president on November 3; it's so much bigger than that! It's the U.S. Senate. It's the entire U.S. House of Representatives. It's your county board and your state representatives. Who represents you at every level of government is literally up to you in this election. And November 3 is coming up quickly, ladies. I mean, for real. So, it’s time to grab your girlfriends and make a plan to vote.”

“I’m voting this November because I’m a 30-year-old Black woman with pre-existing conditions. While I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m ‘baby crazy’ yet, I definitely would like to have a kid one day. But I also might have to find a boyfriend before that, which is difficult for several reasons. First of all, we have a lack of leadership in this country, so without a mask mandate and using science as our guide the chances that me or that boyfriend will die before we even meet are too high for my liking. Re: lack of leadership, without plans to stop police brutality (like the BREATHE Act) becoming law (lookin' at you, McConnell), the likelihood that said boyfriend may be murdered by the hands of police is also too high. So, this election I’m voting for a future because our present isn’t cutting it.”

“I am voting this year because, now more than ever, we must use our powerful voices to create real change. We have learned A LOT in the past six months, and it’s time to put our beliefs into action. I am voting not only to represent myself, but to represent the community as a whole. A community that deserves better. Voting is such a powerful tool to create real change, so that our children can grow up in a better world than we did. I refuse to believe that this is the best America can be. I know it can be better. We can be better. Our leader must be better. And that is why I am voting in the 2020 election.”

“I'm voting because I don't want the future of my community to be decided by people who won't have to live with the consequences of their decisions for us. I vote because it gives me a choice in who represents us even if the options are imperfect. Voting is harm reduction in a time when things are in turmoil. I vote because my ancestors fought and died to win this right for me, and I refuse to dishonor their sacrifices. For me, voting is a duty and an honor.”

“Fannie Lou Hamer understood voting as one tactic towards building Black political power and freedom. Her ability to articulate the pain of the Black community as well as our resilience was both stunning and moving. I vote because I recognize that voting is not just what you do to get an elected official in office or a piece of legislation passed. It’s the organizing you do before voting that builds the power of the people so they can make decisions for themselves and their community—so they can have power culturally, politically, and economically.”

“I'm voting to fight for those who are a part of marginalized communities so that basic entities, such as healthcare, employment, and higher education completion, are not such uphill and impossible battles to surmont.”

“A ballot isn’t just a list of names—those names represent every issue I care about. There are no perfect choices, but to have a choice is a hard-won right. To not make my choice is both an insult to those who gave it to me and an abandonment of my ideals.”

“I’m voting because it’s one of the many ways to speak up for my rights and the rights of others. There is no democracy without the input of the people, so despite the many flaws in the voting system or any attempt to suppress us, it’s important to show up.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic hasn't just changed life for all of us, it has exposed what was just beneath the surface: In the wealthiest and most powerful nation in the world, working families don’t have what they need to thrive, and too many Americans are working too hard for too little. I'm voting because I want the Commonwealth, and my country, to be represented by those who make the needs of working families a top priority, and who live and breathe the fight for gender and racial equity. When we all vote, we can move forward into a brighter future.”

“Voting is a blessing of liberty. It is a privilege to shape my future and take part in the destiny of my beloved country. Far too many people around the world cannot vote because dictators and conflict rob them of this basic right. America encourages the empowerment of all those who feel oppressed so they can enjoy the same rights that we cherish. I vote because I never forget how fortunate I am to live in America, and there can be nothing more American than exercising your right to vote.”

“I'm voting because recent social events have helped me understand better than ever the power of one voice. When I think about the power social media has had on recent social movements around Ahmaud Arbery and Geroge Floyd, they all started with one person sharing one message. When we come together real change can happen, and the best, most impactful way to make our voices heard is by casting a ballot. I carry the weight of my ancestors with me in everything I do, so I am proud to cast my ballot for them.”

“With every right, there’s a responsibility. I vote because it’s my responsibility to participate in our democracy. I vote because it’s my responsibility to help elect leaders—like Joe Biden—who will help our country and its people. There’s one more reason I vote: It makes a difference. My first campaign, I won by less than one percent —or about nine votes per precinct. If people didn’t vote, I wouldn’t have had the chance to serve my community. So, this November, find a candidate who you think deserves a chance and vote. Vote because it’s your right—and your responsibility.”

“I am voting for many reasons! I am voting for the farmworkers who still have fewer rights than most workers in our nation, even though they have been deemed ‘essential workers’ during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am voting for survivors of violence who deserve leaders who will be brave enough to make the necessary changes to make workplaces, communities, and homes safer. I am voting because I believe that we can forge a more just world with the right leadership and an engaged electorate. I am voting because I understand that our lives depend on it.”

“I am voting because choice and personal autonomy are the foundation of freedom, and right now, that foundation is under attack. I am voting to protect and strengthen reproductive freedom against anti-choice extremists who do not represent the vast majority of this country who want control over their reproductive health. My pro-choice vote on every ballot line from president to school board has profound implications for abortion access and bodily autonomy in my community. You had better believe I’m going to vote pro-choice all the way down the ballot.”

“I am voting on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Americans who cannot vote because they have been systematically disenfranchised by a Republican Party that understands that the only way it can keep winning elections in an increasingly younger, browner, and more liberal America is by cynically kicking voters off the rolls by any means necessary.”

“Voting works to create the political moment that is necessary for the change we seek. That moment is often fleeting, illusory, but I will always pursue it. Together our votes can create that moment, that window of opportunity.”

“I am voting and demanding a return on Black women's voting investment in the form of policies that center Black women, our families and communities, and to claim our seats at elected decision-making tables. We need leadership that is truly reflective of the diversity of America that can help move the nation to higher heights.”

“I am voting because it is the most powerful, effective way to contribute to change. I am voting because men and women died for me to embrace this sacred act. It did not come for free. I am voting because we are in the most important moment of my lifetime here in the land of my birth. Because this country needs real leadership. Our democracy cannot survive another four years of the current administration, this is literally life or death. I am voting because we need to move forward as a nation united. To reform and to heal.”

“I’m voting for two reasons. First, this election is a matter of life or death for immigrants, Black and Brown communities, and for our democracy. We cannot afford to sit this one out. Trump has used every opportunity to attack immigrants and divide us. This November is our one chance to say ¡basta! Enough! Second, as an immigrant, I am voting for those who cannot yet vote; I have committed my life’s work to ensuring that others have the opportunities and freedoms to thrive that were afforded to my family.”

“I run an organization that works to uplift women in the political process and every day I hear their stories. I hear how they are dealing with a system that is still rigged against them. And I also hear about why they are running and how they are beating the odds; there’s nothing better than hearing from them after they won. So you want to know why I vote? It’s for my family, my friends, and it’s for those women who are fighting every day for a better America.”

“I am voting because elections oftentimes determine the kind of terrain that we'll be able to organize on. We also have to be firing on all cylinders against systems of oppression. So, that means being engaged in multiple ways of transforming our conditions, whether it’s protesting or voting or building spaces for and disseminating resources to people in our communities. Voting isn’t a perfect solution, but it is one way we can try to impact the trajectory of people on the margins.”

“My vote is about building a better, more representative government. We need to elect people who want to lift up communities that otherwise wouldn’t be able to invest the time and muscle necessary for the change they so desperately need. We’re standing on the shoulders of women who pushed us to where we are today—and it’s this election, and every election thereafter, that we need to invest in a better, more equitable tomorrow.”

“I am voting because I want to be part of the solution. Thinking about my responsibilities as a citizen, and considering the historic moment we are living in today, I believe that as a woman, as a mom, and as an activist, I must support my country. We are living in one of the most divided times in our nation. The lack of leadership has been felt in every single aspect of our social, political, and moral values, and we must bring that back. The only tool and right we have in our hands is our vote.”

“The image that comes to mind when I think of the question why I am voting is of two things: First, there is an image of myself, pledging my soul to citizenship and therefore a major commitment to this country. A commitment that means I take my civic duties really seriously. So, this is for myself and my family. That’s one reason I vote. The other reason is for all of the undocumented people in this country who cannot vote and wish they could. I represent their hope in democracy even though they don’t have a right to vote.”

“I am a 19-year-old Caribbean-American woman whose immigrant parents could not always count on their right to vote. Their sacrifice has given me this birthright that is also a privilege that I bare. Our country uses the prison system as a way to tame the Black vote—muting Black voices until no one is left to stand. I work to restore our communities’ fundamental right to vote. I will cast my vote in their stead until their rights are recognized and restored. We cannot rely on fair-weather liberals who say Black lives matter with their mouths, but choose to continue the cycle of racial oppression with their votes.”

“On September 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 93 was hijacked by terrorists. The passengers huddled in the back rows to discuss how to wrest back control of the aircraft. The odds were against them. To make the decision on whether they should try it, they did the most American thing. They voted. I think about the Americans that died that day. At the scariest time in their lives, they came together to vote. That is inspiring to me. It is something we all get to do as citizens of this great country.”

“Voting is personal for me because I'm a fourth-generation American. My grandfather, a United States citizen, was deported under a racist initiative called ‘Operation Wetback,’ a government-sponsored program to give jobs back to ‘real Americans’ instead of Mexicans, like my family. I know firsthand how cruel our government can be and how borders and immigration enforcement can abuse families. But I also know that in America, the granddaughter of line cooks and domestic workers can work for the first Black president and the first female nominee for president of a major party. I'm voting for every family coming to America in search of a better life. I'm voting for the big dreams of little girls on both sides of the border.”

“My mom tells this story of herself as a young girl in Memphis being passed up by the bus in favor of white children. As she recalls this story, I can imagine her heart breaking as the white children got on the bus and she and her friends got left behind. I now have a 4-year-old daughter and all I want for her is peace. I would love to have her walk in a world not reminded of her race every day. Happiness, peace, and equality is what I wish for her. Every day I watch the news and I realize those simple human rights are not yet available to her. So, I am voting so that my daughter has a different story and reality to share with her children. In addition, I’m voting because many people including the late Rep. John Lewis and Rev. C.T. Vivian sacrificed everything so that I could have that right.”

“I’m voting because Black Lives Matter. I am voting because while some are just waking up to the reality that America was built on systems that oppress and devalue Black and brown people, my communities have always been acutely aware of our disadvantage. What this pandemic and wave of protests has helped us understand is that we are all connected and that we collectively hold the power to dismantle these systems and replace them with new ones, rooted in equality and justice. As we look to ways to sustain and turn moments into a movement for justice, voting is one of the best ways to help people from all underserved or marginalized communities. Together we must hold elected officials at all levels of government accountable.”

“I’m voting for our future. I’m voting because that’s the only way we can truly let our voices be heard: that we are tired and we’ve had enough. None of us are free until we all are.”

“Voting is a fundamental right and we cannot take it for granted. Previous generations fought so that every single one of us could be heard. We must vote, both to honor those who came before us and to shape the future for our children.”

“I’m voting in hopes that one day my community will be offered the justice this country promises. I’m voting because my ancestors fought for my right to do so.”

“I vote because in a democracy our voice is what gives us power and representation in the government. I vote even though I recognize that democracy is an ideal that isn’t always easy to uphold. I vote despite the fact, and also because many have had to fight, and still are fighting, for the right to vote, and for fair voting laws. I vote because to be represented—truly represented, in all of our diversity—is a hard-won right. Because we fight for government that more justly and effectively represents and empowers its people, I vote.”

“As a native New Yorker, I’ve been voting at the same location since I was 18! I love the experience of going to the polls (a public high school, in my case) and standing on the winding line amongst the vast breadth of durable city dwellers. From senior citizens to students, I vote to claim my place amongst them. We often live our lives digitally, but voting reminds us that in fact we are counted in this district in this exact place. We do not reside in the cloud, so we better vote like we mean it! I vote for my parents who are not Americans. I vote for my daughter who will one day cast her own vote as well.”

“I am voting because I want to live in a world where every person can speak and advocate for themselves. Voting is one of the ways through which we let our elected leaders know what our communities need. Due to the impacts of climate change, racism, and many other forms of injustice, folks around the world—and in our country— are often hindered from their right to vote. As a young person and a newly-eligible voter, I feel that it is my responsibility to vote with their interests in mind—while actively creating a world where everyone can speak for themselves.”

“The number one reason why I'm voting is because democracy is at stake. It's gone beyond any political candidate—Republican or Democrat. Our democracy and how we hold fair, balanced elections is at stake and that's what really concerns me. At the same time, it motivates and inspires me to make sure I show up—not only myself, but making sure I bring other people along with me.”

“I vote for the same reason I protest: Freedom isn’t a thing we have, it’s a thing we do, and we all must commit to a discipline of democracy that includes the ballot box. America is currently an oligarchy ruled by the hierarchy of the white supremacist patriarchy, and while our voices may feel about as effective as an ant crawling on a microphone, we must raise them. Individual action is required for collective impact. We owe it to each other to fight for equity hosted on a sustainable Earth.”

“Reader, I don’t know you. Maybe we agree on our politics, maybe we don’t. But I am asking you to vote, because I believe that the best way to protect my rights is to protect yours. Harriet Tubman walked 13 times into the slaveholding South to lead men, women, and children out of bondage. If she can do that, you and I can walk into that voting booth on November 3.”