Your Vote Matters! The 2020 Census Matters!

All elections are important for a democracy (or democratic republic) to function.

The upcoming presidential election is especially important, but the current president has been spreading falsehoods in regards to voting.  Take a moment to check out some of the myths. 

1. There is widespread voting by ineligible voters. Not true.

2. Election Day should be postponed. Not true.

3. Non-citizens are voting in droves. Not true.

4. Voting machines malfunction, so they are clearly rigged to do so. Not true.

5. If the votes take too long to tabulate, somethings fishy. Not true.

6. Recounts, audits and election contests are ways to steal an election. Not true.

7. People can't help people vote. Not true. (The truth is, ballot tampering is illegal. But most states allow certain individuals, like family members and health care workers, to assist by helping to collect and submit completed absentee ballots). 

8. We need more aggressive purges to clear out all ineligible voters. Not true.

If you'd like additional information on any of the above myths, check out the Brennan Center for Justice's link.

If you're planning to submit an absentee ballot, it's important that you apply to receive

a ballot NOW! Check with your local County or City Clerk for details. And then, once you receive it drop it off in person on in the mail soon after you receive it. Allow plenty of time for your ballot and vote to be processed.

If you plan to vote in person, realize that, because of Covid-19, some voting precincts may have been combined with others. To be sure where you should vote, contact your County or City Clerk well ahead of election day.

And if you're still undecided about voting, here's a few more reasons to vote in the first place! Especially when local officials are on the ballot - which is pretty much everywhere in this coming election.

The bottom line of it is that your vote matters because democracy matters. Because your city, your state and your country matter!

Still not convinced? Please take a moment to listen to Michelle Obama:

"[T]his is not the time to withhold our votes in protest or play games with candidates who have no chance of winning. We have got to vote like we did in 2008 and 2012. We've got to show up with the same level of passion and hope... We've got to vote early, in person if we can. We've got to request our mail-in ballots right now, tonight, and send them back immediately and follow-up to make sure they're received. And then, make sure our friends and families do the same.

We have got to grab our comfortable shoes, put on our masks, pack a brown bag dinner and maybe breakfast too, because we've got to be willing to stand in line all night if we have to..."

And the 2020 Census matters as well! 

Consider that the 2020 Census will determine congressional representation, determine hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding each year, and provide data that will further impact your community over the next ten years.

Here's more information on the Census from the US Census Bureau.

And if you've already received your invitation to complete the simple 2020 Census (about nine questions), but have not yet completed it, you can do so here.

And, just like voting, there are false rumors circulating about the 2020 Census.

But the truth is: The 2020 Census DOES NOT contain any questions about citizenship. Your answers CANNOT be shared with law enforcement officials. You WILL NOT be asked your social security number. For more detailed information or to explore other myths, check out the 2020 Census site.

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If you didn't get a chance to watch Michelle Obama's speech during the Democratic National Convention, you can watch it here.