It’s Time to Save Democracy…Again
Every election is deemed the most important election of our lifetime and while I wish that weren’t always the case - it couldn’t be more true in 2024. All across the country we see attacks on our democracy ranging from limiting voting access to criminalizing the teaching of Black history and other culturally based curriculum. Extremists are quite literally trying to roll back the civil rights and civil liberties that we enjoy and were entrusted to preserve. An important part of that preservation is voting.
This year, there are three elections in Nevada - the Presidential Preferential Primary. The election is strictly for those who are registered with a political party. There is only one office on this ballot, President of the United States. By now, you should’ve gotten your ballot in the mail, completed it, signed the envelope and sent it back in the mail. Consider this your appetizer vote setting your palate for more robust offerings later in the year.
The next election is the June Primary that will take place on Tuesday, June 6th. That ballot will feature offices for all other offices outside of the U.S. Presidency; that means you’ll vote for candidates running for district court judge, county commision,school board trustee, state legislature, U.S. Congress, U.S. Senate amongst many others. The primary election determines who’s on the ballot in November. If anyone wins more than 50% of the vote in June they win - outright - and won’t be on the November ballot.
The Presidential Election will be on Tuesday, November 5th. That ballot will largely look similar to the ballot you receive in June (unless a candidate hits that 50% threshold) and you should expect it to be long. Arguably, the November election is the most important election of the year. It will decide the direction that our country takes for the next four years and, frankly, will determine if our democracy (the way we know of it) will survive.
Exercising your right to vote is the best tool we all have to protect our democracy, but there are tons of other ways that you can help ensure that we have fair, safe and accurate elections.
Speak out against disinformation - A common strategy to confuse voters and suppress their voters is to intentionally spread lies about the election. When you encounter those misgivings speak out against it! Call it out and in real time and provide accurate information.
Volunteer to be a poll observer - Every election the Clark County Elections Department has a hard time finding able bodies that can staff vote sites. These roles are super important as they literally help to make the vote site run. These are volunteer positions that give good insight to how the system works.
Reset expectations around results - The days of us finding out election results on Election Day are behind us. With vote-by-mail it takes a little while longer for our Elections Department to tally the votes. There is nothing wrong with that because we want fair, safe and accurate elections - ALWAYS. In your circle of influence, tell your friends that results can take up to seven days after the election.
I wish I was being hyperbolic in the threats and urgency that we’re facing, but I am not. And while, it may sound daunting or even intimidating to assume responsibility for saving democracy I promise you that you’re already equipped with everything you need.
In the words of my favorite (Janet Jackson), we’re “made for now.”
In service and in love,
QM
