(Responses courtesy of the International Network of Street Papers (INSP) North America)
“Voting is important because we get to decide who represents us at every level of government in every election. The more people we put in office who care about our issues and represent our diverse identities, the better our country will be for all of us.”
— Mandee Seeley, Sisters, Oregon
“Voting helps to make sure that every voice is heard, especially for those on the streets and in low-income housing. It means helping shape our community and that we care enough to change it.”
— Vicky Batcher, Nashville, Tennessee
“Our country has based its existence on the premise of a democracy, which means one person equals one vote. We do ourselves and our ancestors before us a disservice when we do not exercise that right to protect our voice as a collective against all that would harm that democratic process.”
— Gina Owens, Seattle, Washington
“One cannot say anything, good or bad, about how things are run at any level of government if one does not give input by voting.”
— Patrick Riley, Colorado Springs, Colorado
“With everything that’s going on, with them overturning Roe v. Wade, it opens the door for them to overturn everything from voting rights to gay marriages. Anything that they did in the past, they can overturn. So, it’s important for you to get out and vote. Express yourself, as they say!”
— Lee Holmes, Chicago, Illinois
“Voting is important because it’s one of the few collective activities we share amongst ourselves. We need to ‘vote’ in our everyday life. People vote with their feet every day.”
— Ken Parks, Ann Arbor, Michigan
“Voting is important because it allows me to choose a candidate who will uphold my beliefs, laws, rules, regulations, and standards as a true American citizen.”
— Queenie Featherstone, Washington, D.C.
“We not only have rights, but we have accompanying responsibilities to be an informed citizen and act on that at the ballot box and in the public sphere.”
— Geoff Lyon, Toledo, Ohio
“For change to happen, we have to act first. We must do our part... Get out there and register to vote if you haven’t already.”
— John
“I vote because ... I want to make my voice known. Few will know that I have voted, but being anonymous does not equate with being invisible or not making a difference.”
— Lorna