You gotta believe

 

By Mary Kay Roth

This year I drew the slot for writing a 5WomenMayhem blog just a few days before the mid-terms.

In fact, two days until our election.

So, normally at this time I would tell everyone to vote.

And, normally, our blog readers would then report they’ve already voted – or, of course, they plan on voting. 

This year, that’s not good enough.

On Nov. 3, millions of Americans will vote to decide control of the House of Representatives and Senate, as well as the governorships in 36 states and state legislatures across the country. The results could easily impact Donald Trump’s remaining time in office, as this election is broadly considered a national verdict on the president.  

According to political experts, yes, at least one-fourth of all mid-term voters will cast their ballots early. But that means 75 percent of voters will cast their ballots this Tuesday.

So, I’m giving you a two-day call to action.  Over the next 48 hours, take a few steps beyond voting …

• Set up a plan for taking someone to the polls who is registered but who otherwise might not go vote. Every political analyst agrees on at least one thing this year:  It’s going to matter how many people vote.
• Even if you have donated to your favorite candidates in Nebraska, get out your billfold and send $25 – now – to one of the key races in other states that will likely determine who controls the Senate. (Suggestions at the close of this blog.)
• You still have time to volunteer. Give two hours of the next 48 hours to phone banks – providing transportation to voters – poll watching. 
• Believe. Hope,

Granted, we head into November’s midterms on the heels of years of lies and attacks designed to undermine confidence in our elections. These days, many people tell me voting doesn’t matter anymore.  Our votes don’t count. 

I am choosing to believe they are wrong.

For the past couple years, I’ve worked at the polls on election day, welcoming, checking off names, asking for identification, handing out ballots, giving direction.

Serving on election day is one of the coolest gigs I’ve ever had. 

It goes beyond civic duty.  

Where I work on election day, voters come in all sizes and shapes, ages and ethnicities. Yet they are polite and considerate with one another. Patient. Proud to be voting. 

We applaud young, first-time voters – as well as refugees and immigrants who are brand new citizens. 

Perhaps we should applaud every single voter who shows up.

People throughout American history have fought and died for this simple act of casting a ballot. Their spirit resides in our collective heritage, a history of sacrifice for the right and responsibility to vote. 

So, I choose to honor that legacy.  I choose to keep the faith in our imperfect but hopeful democratic system.

We got ourselves into this mess, we can get ourselves out.

Our ballot is a tool for change, a testament to the resilience of our democratic republic, the very minimum asked of us as citizens.

This Tuesday, respectfully, I ask you to vote.  

But I’m asking for more: Vote, donate, volunteer.

And, most importantly, you gotta believe.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns.  They identified seven key races that will likely determine who controls the Senate.  (Democrats need net gains of at least four seats in the Senate to flip.)

Alaska: Republican Sen. Dan. S. Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola

Iowa: Republican Ashley Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek 

Kansas: Republican Sen. Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton

Maine: Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson

Michigan: Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed 

Ohio: Republican Sen. Jon Husted and Democrat Sherrod Brown

Texas: Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico

*From 1976 to January 5, 2021, more than 85 U.S. Senate elections were decided by less than 3 percent of all votes cast.