Now more than ever, we must make our voices heard this election on November 8th!
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “In 2021, about 67 million tons of pollution were emitted into the atmosphere in the United States”. These emissions lead to bad air quality, health issues, and impaired visibility in communities. These critical pollutants harm our environment and affect communities of color disproportionately.
We cannot continue to allow dangerous air pollution emissions and reduced air quality to impact the health and well-being of nuestras familias (our families). Whether through a mail-in ballot, early voting, or in person on November 8th, this election, we can make our vote count, leverage our community power, and demand better for our gente. Make a plan to vote or help those who can vote to be #voteready to show up at the polls.
We are only 1 day away from Election Day, and there is so much we can do on our part to make sure our gente are out at the polls voting, sending out their ballot, and battling disinformation by sharing resources and factual information.
Background:
For many low-income communities of color, voting is the only form of political participation they will engage in throughout their lives. It is through voting that they choose their elected officials, influence policy, and take an active part in designing and implementing the policies that affect their everyday lives. While this is critical to the realization of our democratic values and goals, many historically marginalized communities of color continue to be disenfranchised due to systemic racism, white supremacy, and oppression. Additionally, there are ongoing attacks on our fundamental right to vote, and we must fight disinformation and misinformation threats to our communities.
General Messaging:
- Voting is the primary mode of political participation and the bedrock of democracy.
- Our vision for a more inclusive and just democracy is dependent on its ability to provide opportunities for all people to effectively voice their concerns and policy preferences, regardless of their background, race, socioeconomic status and/or disabilities.
- We cannot achieve a fair democracy when a significant portion of the people, and their voices, are not included in policy decision-making.
- For many low-income communities of color voting is the only form of political participation they will engage in throughout their lives. It is through voting that they choose their elected officials, influence policy, and take an active part in designing and implementing the policies that affect their everyday lives.
- Voting is one of the many ways in which people can express their political voice to influence the policy decision-making process.
- Other forms of political participation include meeting with elected officials or their staff, speaking up at public forums on local issues, creating or signing petitions, and much more.
- Civic engagement participation is essential, particularly for Chispa’s work, because they can serve as ways to express a person’s needs and preferences especially for communities ineligible to vote, such as youth, individuals on parole, and documented and undocumented immigrants, and for communities who face significant barriers.
- For a healthy democracy we need an active participation of all communities throughout the country to ensure access to more responsive representation.
- We need elected representatives who are going to be responsive to our needs, the needs of voters of color, including mixed status families who may not be able to vote, but continue to be impacted by unjust policies and/or inaction that exacerbates current conditions and leads to poor outcomes.
- People from mixed status families often serve as trusted messengers to their family members who are eligible to vote.
- Be on the frontlines of democracy and make sure you turn out to vote this November 8.
- Voting a family act regardless of documentation status because we are all trusted messengers to our loved ones.