3 Things To Do Before Election Day

It’s one week before election day, November 3rd 2020. If you’re like me, you may be feeling election fatigue. A quick hack that has proven useful — take a break from news, temporarily delete news apps, or check them once per day.

But, it also marks mile 22 of this marathon. A question for you as we head into the final stretch— can we dig deeper?

I don’t share my political persuasions often or lightly. I have friends and family members I adore across the political belief spectrum–– as you might as well. For us, this election has been the most divisive — where we have had to make overt spit-on-your-palm-handshake type of truces not to discuss politics in order to preserve long-standing relationships and generational connection.

But, if you know me you also may know that I believe in people, innovation, social impact, and in action (i.e. #goanddo is a reverberating call).

As I become more settled in myself and learned wisdom with time, I also believe more in truth-telling, even when– scratch that– especially when it feels uncomfortable.

With that in mind, here are a few things to do before next Tuesday.

3 Things to Do Before Election Day

You do so much — and adapt and reinvent yourself through this pandemic. Rather than a list of 51, 21, or even five things to do. Here is a simple list of 3.

1. Reconnect with your deepest “why” for voting

Why do you vote? For a moment, take a break from hashtags, celebrity posts, and any other peer group posts– close your eyes and ask yourself — what is my personal deepest why for voting.

If that feels abstract, try this design-thinking technique— ask yourself why, five times.

Why I am I voting? Because [Response A]

Why [Response A]? Because….[Response B]

Why [Response B]? Because….etc., etc.

Here are a few of my why’s:

• It comes down to how we treat people, especially our most vulnerable. I saw this first-hand when volunteering at a detention center for women and children seeking asylum in south Texas in December 2019.
• The belief that we are stronger when we are inclusive.
• That our environment can’t vote, so we vote on its behalf.
• That the electoral winner-take-all system could be made more representative through mindful reform.
• That the economy is dynamic and robust, especially when we empower and champion innovation, entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, and investment.
• Acknowledging systemic racism and inequities can help us build together and build stronger ahead.
• That a right to choose and a right to life are not mutually exclusive– when you empower a woman’s choice, the system is incentivized to improve her options and her family’s (including through healthcare, maternity/paternity leave, equal pay, being part of the policymaking process for women’s health decisions).

2. Vote. Vote early

Indecision is paralyzing, I know.

And, fatigue from election coverage and deep partisanship can make us want to not vote at all.

But, voting is also a sacred privilege. It is our ability to have an equal voice. To choose. To count.

I invite you to get over any paralysis you may feel– and vote. There are tools and websites you can use to educate yourself on local measures and candidates. And do know that your ballot doesn’t need to be filled out for every measure, candidate, provision to be counted— it will be counted for all which you vote for.

Voting early can help keep you safe (i.e. social distancing), can help you follow your ballot on its way to being counted (through tracking options), and also ensure your vote is counted by Election Day.

Think of all of the people and generations throughout history who had *no* say in selecting the leadership that impacted their lives, families, and livelihoods…if you are eligible to do so, vote. Vote for you, and for them.

3. Do one more thing

You reconnected with your deep, resonant why.

You voted.

Now, can you do one more thing? One more action that could inspire one more vote.

Ideas include:

• Phonebanking (I have been doing so here)
• Check to see if your friends, families, communities have voted.
• Share your “why” in an essay or op-ed

Do (at least) one more thing beyond voting so that whatever the next 4 years bring– you see and know yourself to be engaged, informed, and active — and as someone who has a voice that matters.

#vote #voteearly #goanddo #election2020