thisiswhywevote-blog

[thisiswhywevote-blog]

By voting, we are making our voice heard. Especially for the Latinos that are not able to do so because of their immigration status.

Clara Puerta Atlanta, GA

#ThisIsWhyWeVote #VRA50 #RestoreTheVRA #YoungDemocratsOfAtlanta #YDATL #GADems #GAPol #Latinos #YourVoiceIsYourVote #YoungDemocrats #Democrats

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Voting Runs In This Family

“In my opinion voting should be compulsory.... A requirement. Too many that came before me lived and died in the fight for this basic right for me to take it for granted. People of color continue to face inequality thought the country today. Voting is the most basic, most simple, and most effective way for any group of people to let their collective voices be heard.” Ramone Rushing Political Director, Young Democrats of Atlanta Atlanta, GA

“Being a baby boomer, I came up during an era where the rights of minorities were negated. I was a witness to blacks not being allowed to vote. There were so many of my ancestors that died and were mutilated just so that people were able to exercise their right to vote. It is my responsibility to vote in honor of those people who died and fought for me.” Curtis E. Rushing Rocky Mount, NC

“I came from a part of the country where minorities were routinely denied the vote. As a child of the 50′s-60′s I personally witnessed Klan meetings, intimidations, cross-burnings and outright blatant discrimination. I grew up with a rebellious spirit that was somewhat inherited by witnessing how my parents, grandparents & family refused to bow or step off sidewalks. Now that things have changed (in theory), it’s my responsibility to be about what they fought for. I also see one purpose for me is to educate the next generation so they see the reason to be engaged.” Venesia Moore-Rushing Rocky Mount, NC

#ThisIsWhyWeVote #VRA50 #RestoreTheVRA #YoungDemocratsOfAtlanta #YDATL #GADems #GAPol #YourVoiceIsYourVote #AFamilyOfVoters #YoungDemocrats #Democrats

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The right to vote means the right to fully participate in our democratic process. It legitimizes our government and our laws. It empowers us to control the society we live in. It validates us as individuals and it respects all of those who gave their lives and their careers to achieve this right. I vote because I have the right to vote, and I choose to respect and honor that right. I vote for progressive change and to help elect those who represent my values.

Colton Griffin Chair, Young Democrats of Georgia Stonewall Caucus Vice Chair, Democratic Party of Georgia LGBT Caucus Atlanta, GA

#ThisIsWhyWeVote #VRA50 #RestoreTheVRA #YoungDemocratsOfAtlanta #YDATL #GADems #GAPol #YourVoiceIsYourVote #YoungDemocrats #Democrats #LGBT #Stonewall

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The right to vote is my voice in the direction of the country. The VRA will always be important to me, because that right wasn't always granted to people who look like me--a Black woman. The VRA represents a extension of value to ALL citizens. The recognition that everyone deserves a say in how our representative government is carried out. As a believer in such, I think we need to expand voting rights to include felons that have served their time--citizens who deserve equal value. I choose to excercise my right to vote because it's my responsibility. I am responsible, if but so little, for speaking up about the direction I think our country should go..voting is how that happens.

Amber English Congressional Staff Washington, DC

#ThisIsWhyWeVote #VRA50 #RestoreTheVRA #YoungDemocratsOfAtlanta #YDATL #YourVoiceIsYourVote #YoungDemocrats #Democrats

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Voting is important to me because although a lot of progress has been made, we've got to keep up the momentum to keep it going. #ThisIsWhyWeVote

Sharné Haywood Atlanta, GA

#ThisIsWhyWeVote #VRA50 #RestoreTheVRA #YoungDemocratsOfAtlanta #YDATL #GADems #GAPol #YourVoiceIsYourVote #YoungDemocrats #Democrats

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When President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law 50 years ago today, he called it "one of the most monumental laws in the entire history of American freedom." He was right. So let's protect it, uphold its legacy, and continue to expand - not take away - voting rights. Our record on voting rights vs the other side's is one more reason I'm proud to be a Democrat. Happy Birthday, VRA.

TJ Helmstetter Regional Press Secretary, Democratic National Committee Washington, DC

#ThisIsWhyWeVote #VRA50 #RestoreTheVRA #YourVoiceIsYourVote #YoungDemocrats #Democrats

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Voting is not a privilege. It is a right, but institutions in our nation have spent decades restricting that right as if it were a privilege granted only to some. We have come a long way in the history of our country, but this right is being suppressed even today. The requirement to register to exercise one's right is a wildly unnecessary barrier that functions to disenfranchise the most vulnerable in our society and is exploited every day through oppressive legislation like Georgia's Voter ID law. Out of respect for those who made life-changing sacrifices to protect the right to vote, it is crucial that we as young people not only exercise that right, but fight voter suppression wherever we see it.

Louis Elrod Vice President, Young Democrats of America Avondale Estates, GA

#ThisIsWhyWeVote #VRA50 #RestoreTheVRA #YoungDemocratsOfAtlanta #YDATL #GADems #GAPol #YourVoiceIsYourVote #YoungDemocratsOfGeorgia #YoungDemocrats #Democrats

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What motivates me to vote? Knowing that I can affect change, not only in my country, but in my neighborhood. I recognize the enormity of the sacrifices made by the generations before me. It is certainly the most direct way that we can influence policy, and absence from the process can mean voicelessness for many people.

Jason Dozier Social Chair, Young Democrats of Atlanta Chief of Staff, Young Democrats of Georgia Atlanta, GA

#ThisIsWhyWeVote #VRA50 #RestoreTheVRA #YoungDemocratsOfAtlanta #YDATL #GADems #GAPol #YourVoiceIsYourVote #YoungDemocrats #Democrats #YoungDemocratsOfGeorgia

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Voting is important if we want legislators and legislation that reflects our personal (progressive) values. What motivates me to vote? Strong democratic candidates who aren't afraid to sound like progressive candidates, who support voting rights legislation, full equality for everyone, a higher minimum wage and a strong social safety net, affordable healthcare and education, education, education!

Jimmy Johnson Roswell, GA

#ThisIsWhyWeVote #VRA50 #RestoreTheVRA #YoungDemocratsOfAtlanta #YDATL #GADems #GAPol #YourVoiceIsYourVote #YoungDemocrats #Democrats

[thisiswhywevote-blog]

I Vote To...

A) have my voice heard.

B) elect representatives who will speak for all of us.

C) embody the change I want to see. Shanti Pierce Atlanta, GA

#ThisIsWhyWeVote #VRA50 #RestoreTheVRA #YoungDemocratsOfAtlanta #YDATL #GADems #GAPol #YourVoiceIsYourVote #YoungDemocrats #Democrats

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First and foremost, I would like to thank the YDATL for taking the time during the general body meeting to allow me the opportunity to do this. Voting always has and will be a part of my life. My late grandmother would always take me with her on election day, and allow me to go inside of the polls with her. I have been blessed with the opportunity to work at The King Center with the daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. To hear her stories, along with Congressman John Lewis, Dr. Joseph Lowery, and Rita Samuels. To hear all they went through while fighting for the right to vote, I come to the conclusion that voting is not a choice. It is a MUST. In the words of Dr. Joseph Lower, "Voting is a sacred right and a moral obligation.

Demetrius Myatt The King Center Atlanta, GA

#ThisIsWhyWeVote #VRA50 #RestoreTheVRA #YoungDemocratsOfAtlanta #YDATL #GADems #GAPol #YourVoiceIsYourVote #YoungDemocrats #Democrats

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When you look at places where people can't vote, most of them are god awful places to live. Voting allows us to demand better from our government. Whether that means better healthcare, more higher paying jobs, better education, or just roads that don't have holes in them, voting is the start of the process to make those things happen.

Al Turnell Organizer, Activist Atlanta, GA

#ThisIsWhyWeVote #VRA50 #RestoreTheVRA #YoungDemocratsOfAtlanta #YDATL #GADems #GAPol #YourVoiceIsYourVote #YoungDemocrats #Democrats

[thisiswhywevote-blog]

Reasons Why I Vote

1) It gives us an opportunity to participate in how our government functions. 

2) People who don't vote can't complain about government. 

3) It honors those who fought and suffered so that I'd have the right to vote. 

4) I want to be able to choose the people I feel will make decisions aligned with my beliefs. 

5) It gives me the opportunity to keep the wrong people out of government. 

6) I want to choose propositions, ballot measures, etc. that I feel are best for America.

Jeron Maklanron Atlanta, GA

#ThisIsWhyWeVote #VRA50 #RestoreTheVRA #YoungDemocratsOfAtlanta #YDATL #GADems #GAPol #YourVoiceIsYourVote #YoungDemocrats #Democrats

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I vote because it's free. I only have to go to the polls to make my voice heard.

Richard McDaniel President, Young Democrats of Georgia Atlanta, GA

#ThisIsWhyWeVote #VRA50 #RestoreTheVRA #YoungDemocratsOfAtlanta #YDATL #GADems #GAPol #YoungDemocratsOfGeorgia #YourVoiceIsYourVote #YoungDemocrats #Democrats

[thisiswhywevote-blog]

Vote!! Because some died, so you could!!

Bridgemon Bolger President, Dekalb Young Democrats Stone Mountain, GA

#ThisIsWhyWeVote #VRA50 #RestoreTheVRA #YoungDemocratsOfAtlanta #YDATL #DekalbYoungDemocrats #GADems #GAPol #YourVoiceIsYourVote #YoungDemocrats #Democrats

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Why is it Important that I vote?

*Allocation of Public Funds

*Education

*Transportation

*My grandparents did not vote.

Kenneth Cottrell Global Paint for Charity, Inc., Non-Profit Organization Atlanta, GA

#ThisIsWhyWeVote #VRA50 #RestoreTheVRA #YoungDemocratsOfAtlanta #YDATL #GADems #GAPol #YourVoiceIsYourVote

[thisiswhywevote-blog]

Voting Is Important...

...because it allows my opinions to actually matter and affect change. Voting is important to me, so that my country will be a better place for my children.

I vote because in a small way, it allows me to take action against ideas I am not in support of. Concern for our country’s future gets me to vote. Thinking of everyone who doesn’t have a voice gets me to vote.

Christine Miner Atlanta, GA

#ThisIsWhyWeVote #VRA50 #RestoreTheVRA #YoungDemocratsOfAtlanta #YDATL #GADems #GAPol #YourVoiceIsYourVote #YoungDemocrats #Democrats