For some reason, voters don’t have a good track record during the midterms. We’re sort of okay with voting during presidential elections. During the 2016 election, for instance, close to 60 percent of the electorate turned out. (Though, again, not great.) But just two years prior during the 2014 midterm elections? Well—only a paltry 36.4 percent of us cast a ballot! That was the lowestvoter turnout in ~70~ years…
Yes. To find a lowervoter turn out rate than that? Well, you have to go back to 1942 when only 33.9 percent of the electorate cast votes, according to PBS. But can we really blame them? World War II was going on. So, what’s our excuse in 2018?
Voting during an off-presidential year can seem like a chore. It’s true, there’s no big, splashy nationalized debates between two candidates for each of the major political parties. Midterms are, by nature, local news. We get to vote on the Congressional representatives for each state as well as local, elected officials, maybe some judicial appointees. If you’re in a state like California where state propositions are on the ballot, you might also be weighing in on everything from a gas tax to rent control. (It’s the closest you’ll ever get as a voter to decide on a specific law.)
The good news is, that there’s a different kind of political momentum this year. The 2018 midterms are largely seen as a referendum on President Donald Trump’s election and his administration’s policies. And interest in this election is the highest it’s been in two decades, according to the Pew Research Center. So, yeah, voters are paying attention this year.
In case you needed a little reminder of why it’s so important to cast a ballot, we’ve got you covered. Ahead, we’ve rounded up 11 reminders from celebrities, artists, activists and politicians who perfectly sum up why voting is important. (And don’t miss our voting checklist here.)
Why voting is important
America Ferrera
The air we breathe, the water we drink, who can love freely and who can not, who is safe on our streets, who has access to justice, education and a dignified job- is all impacted by policy. Your life is political- accept that. #midtermsmatter https://t.co/UHhYWYIfz1— America Ferrera (@AmericaFerrera) October 22, 2018
Alyssa Milano
WE THE PEOPLE must vigilantly protect our right to the voting franchise – our most fundamental right as Americans.We must get active to stop suppression at the state level, and VOTE on Nov. 6 to elect Democrats who are working to protect your fundamental right to vote.
pic.twitter.com/tWGt38Nuoq— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) October 20, 2018
Planned Parenthood Action Committee
VOTE if you care about:-reproductive rights-LGBTQ rights-immigrant rights-ending gun violence-economic justice-ending white supremacy-the environment-smashing the patriarchy-voting rights#TakeItBack: https://t.co/cvawam362n pic.twitter.com/EaY6CQjV6q— Planned Parenthood Action (@PPact) October 23, 2018
Michelle Obama
There’s a lot at stake this November. If we stay home, critical issues that affect our families and communities get ignored. Today on #NationalVoterRegistrationDay, register to vote and then get to the polls on Nov. 6. Text WeAllVote to 97779 to get started. #WhenWeAllVote pic.twitter.com/YqQtWBEffA— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) September 25, 2018
Kamala Harris
Here’s what’s on the ballot in November:→Social Security→LGBTQ rights→Health care→Gun safety reforms→Tax fairness for the middle class→The future of our environment→Campaign finance reformLet’s make a better future for generations to come by voting for Democrats.— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) October 23, 2018
Kristen Schaal
If you’re at least 18 years old you can vote people in that want to stop this. Right now all 3 branches are run by REPUBLICANS who don’t care. This is your LIFE NOW. Midterms this November matter. VOTE. https://t.co/wyIidd0mkW— Kristen Schaal (@kristenschaaled) October 9, 2018
Aparna Nancherla
confirming kavanaugh is the senate saying “um actually” to every survivor in the entire country, VOTE THEM OUT— Aparna Nancherla (@aparnapkin) October 6, 2018
Ava DuVernay
We can get mad at this. Tweet up a storm. Call him names. All those things. Or – we can do the only thing that really matters. Vote. Them. Out. November 6. Midterms. Diminish his power. Batter his ego. Raise your voice. Show them all who’s boss. Justice and dignity will prevail. https://t.co/k5M5vIJx3l— Ava DuVernay (@ava) October 3, 2018
Alexandria Ocasio- Cortez
One of the most impactful decisions a person can make is choosing to vote for the first time.
If you vote this year and you’ve never voted before (or if you don’t usually vote), you can change the game.New voters are how I won my primary. And it’s how we can win Nov 6th. https://t.co/3VErOzoeGj— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) October 23, 2018
Clint Smith
One party wants as many people as possible to vote & the other party doesn’t.It’s really that simple & should tell you everything you need to know.— Clint Smith (@ClintSmithIII) October 23, 2018
Andrea Pino
If you are a cis-person and you haven’t shown up for trans/enby folks before, now’s the time. Our siblings are under attack. Sit and listen to then. Center them. Use your privilege to bring them to the table. SHOW UP TO VOTE. Lives are on the line. #WeWontBeErased— Andrea L. Pino (@andreactually) October 22, 2018
