Bella Mahal

Why do you choose to vote?
I chose to vote because I believe every eligible voter in our country has a responsibility to make their voice heard by voting. As someone who is deeply passionate about LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights, I am well aware that the issues that I care about are up for debate. Our government is meant to be representative of the will of the people, and by voting, I lend my voice to a collective total that demands existing systems be reformed. I have quite a bit of experience with activism, protests, and organizing, and absolutely believe in the power of direct action for targeted change, but voting is the simplest, safest, and potentially most impactful step for the changes I want to see in my country.

Why do you feel it is important to vote?
I think my answers blended together a bit, but I believe it is important to vote because I still have faith in the institution of democracy. I can understand the deep disillusionment many have with the electoral system in this country, and I won’t even get into the issues associated with the electoral college, but I still believe the most accessible means for any of us to affect change is to vote. It is important to do so for the sake of the issues we believe in, but also for the sake of those who cannot vote: for immigrants seeking safety, for prisoners disenfranchised by state electoral laws, for the children who will inherit the climate we either do or do not act on.