I Voted Early for the First Time Ever
I’ve always loved the excitement of going to the polls to vote on Election Day. It’s something that became a habit before I was even old enough to vote. I grew up in a politically active family – my father ran for county attorney, my uncle was a state senator, and then a nominee for governor.
Leafleting door to door, poll watching with my sisters and mom, and babysitting for children of campaign workers were my thing. I’ve always understood civic engagement and voting as habits that need to be formed and reinforced by those around us who believe in the promise of democracy.
I was fortunate, but also naive, thinking how easy it was to develop the voting habit. I used to think the voting habit came naturally. I now understand it came with advantages I didn’t see. I was never turned away from a voting booth. I never waited hours in line, worried about missing work or finding childcare. I still don’t have to show an ID to vote. For many Americans, none of that is a given.
Through the years that I’ve been involved with Global Citizens Circle, I’ve listened to people who faced those barriers and kept showing up anyway. Circle discussion leaders and honorees such as John Lewis, Nelson Mandela, Gloria Steinem, and Dolores Huerta spoke passionately for those who’ve faced obstacles and whose voices have historically been left out. These great leaders are gone now, but they, like those before them, lifted as they climbed, instilling the values of a democracy not yet perfect, opening the doors to purpose driven activism, and inspiring new generations to fight for freedom and justice for all.
I’ve also been privileged to listen to and learn from emerging leaders who have participated in Circle discussions and inspired young and old alike:
Lucina Kayee, a 2023-2024 John Lewis Fellow from the RFK Foundation, spoke about her motivation to be a changemaker in her community, witnessing the power of collective action and the positive changes that result from community organizing.
Phumeza Mlungwana, a South African young leader inspired by Nelson Mandela, shared her experience as the General Secretary of the Social Justice Coalition (SJC), advocating for poor communities in South Africa, tackling issues of policing, safety, and the criminal justice system.
Jahnavi Rao, founder and president of New Voters, emphasized, like Gloria Steinem, that the voting booth is an equalizer and that young people hold the key to the future.
And Lauren Hogg, a 15 year old co-founder of March For Our Lives when I met her, spoke with Dolores Huerta at a 2019 Circle, about her experience of gun violence at her high school in Parkland, Florida, and learning in her classroom about leaders like Dolores.
Simply “passing the baton” to a new generation has never been enough. Running alongside young people, cheering them on, and providing them opportunities to take the lead are actions we can all embrace and encourage. And by doing so, we advance the promise of democracy.
Yes, I voted early, and yes, it was easy for me. But easy shouldn’t be a matter of luck, zip code, or work schedule. I vote with the people in mind who have fought for that access, and for those still waiting for it. I hope my vote helps build a democracy where everyone can form the voting habit.
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