I, like many of my peers, am inspired by the power of our singular vote! I remember eagerly waiting for my first opportunity to cast a ballot, but I missed voting age by 3 days. I was devastated. It may seem like a small thing, but I had been looking forward to making my voice heard and taking part in something much bigger than myself.
That experience taught me an important lesson: voting matters. It is one of the most powerful ways we can stand up for what we believe in and help shape the future of our communities, our state and our nation. Every vote is a voice and when enough voices come together, they can create real and lasting change.
The August 4 Primary Election demonstrated what can happen when people get involved and make their voices heard. Thanks to the dedication of incredible volunteers who made phone calls and had meaningful conversations with voters, the Right to Life of Michigan Political Action Committee (RLM-PAC) endorsed candidates won 84 of 87 primary races. Together, volunteers made more than 100,000 Get-Out-the-Vote phone calls. Thank you to everyone who gave their time and energy to help make a difference.
While we celebrate these victories, our work is far from over. The November 3 General Election is where many of the most important decisions will be made, and voter turnout will once again determine the outcome.
Recent events remind us just how important local and state elections are. In July, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to allocate $500,000 in local taxpayer dollars to Planned Parenthood of Michigan; in August, Washtenaw commissioners discussed a millage that would dedicate taxpayer dollars each year to “reproductive and sexual health services.” Whether you live in Washtenaw County or not, these actions demonstrate that decisions made by local elected officials have a direct impact on our communities and on how our tax dollars are spent.
In the General Election, Michigan voters will elect Michigan’s governor, members of Congress, the state House and state Senate and more offices down the ballot. These races will shape our state and local communities for years to come. Every vote matters, and every conversation encouraging someone to vote can make a difference.
Now is the time to keep the momentum going. Encourage your family, friends and neighbors to vote. Share reliable election information and remind others that every election—from local offices to statewide races—has lasting consequences. Before heading to the polls, visit rtl.org/vote to print your personalized pro-life ballot and encourage others to do the same.
Together, we can build on success by turning out an even greater number of voters in the Tuesday, November 3, General Election. Early in-person voting begins on Saturday, October 24. With your continued involvement, we can make a lasting difference for our communities and for the lives we work to protect.