OCT 19 2020
+ important voting resources.
By Hannah Lee, Director of Community Engagement
Voting MATTERS— here are 3 important reasons why.
1. VOTING IS A RIGHT AND A PRIVILEGE.
Voting is a powerful way to use your voice to create change, but did you know that here in the U.S., it is a right often taken for granted? A study in 2018 found that voter turnout in the United States is lower than almost every other developed country around the world, placing 26th out of 32.
It’s easy to forget that voting is a right that is not always afforded to citizens. Here in the United States, marginalized groups — including women, Black people, and immigrants — haven’t always had the right to vote, and many marginalized groups still face significant barriers around voting. Around the globe, many communities don’t have the opportunity to appoint their leaders. Voting is democracy in action.
2. VOTING IS A POWERFUL WAY TO USE YOUR VOICE.
Voting for our elected officials is an effective way to champion policies that serve our communities’ needs- including vulnerable and marginalized communities. Your vote allows you to have a say in the decisions that directly impact your community, state, and nation.
Does my vote really matter? The answer is YES! In many instances, voting comes down to a single voter. But even when an election doesn’t hinge on a tie-breaking vote, voting is still an enormously powerful way to let elected officials know how you feel about specific policies and issues. If the majority of people in a district or region vote for a candidate who has promoted a certain issue, such as pro-refugee legislation, it shows officials what constituents really care about — and it tells candidates that if they want to be voted into office, they must care about these issues, too!
3. YOUR VOTE IMPACTS THE FUTURE OF REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS.
Since its inception, the U.S. refugee resettlement program has had overwhelmingly bipartisan support. Elected officials across party lines have recognized the importance of this program. However,, despite growing global need, the U.S. is set to decrease the cap on refugee admissions for the fourth straight year, to the lowest in the program’s history since 1980. Prior to the current administration, the average refugee admissions cap was 95,000 —today, it stands at just 15,000, and all refugee admissions are halted until the president officially signs the new order.
Many elected officials champion refugees, but others support policies that disrupt and dismantle U.S. refugee resettlement. Before you vote, it is important to make sure you know where candidates stand on issues impacting refugees and asylum seekers. Here is a great place to see which elected officials from your state signed on to a nationwide letter in support of refugee resettlement. You can find an excellent resource on where each Presidential candidate stands on immigration, including refugee resettlement, here.
Find voting information, your candidates and elected officials here!
Voting matters. This is a privilege for US Citizens and an opportunity to participate in our democracy. Voting can make a significant difference in your community— stay up to date on the issues, your candidates, and current representatives.
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