Hear from fellow voters
As a new voter, you’re part of a community of millions of people who cast a ballot in local, state, and national elections to make their voices heard.
To share your own “why I vote” story, leave us a voicemail at 202-743-5639.
“Voting has always made me feel hopeful and proud and connected to others, even though I no longer vote in-person, I know a number of people who are in my boat: elderly, handicapped, difficulty getting around. Vote-by-mail is a blessing. I hope people who are fighting to keep it succeed.”
“Hi there, my name is Andrea, I’m from Albuquerque, New Mexico. I have so many reasons that I vote. I started voting at 18 and I voted in every election—national, local—since then. I just feel like—because I’ve traveled quite a bit—that our country really is unique and we’re very lucky to have, or I guess maybe had, a democracy that we’ve had for so long and a lot of people don’t realize how precious that is.”
“One of the proudest moments of my life when I look back was driving people to the polls. In 2018, I was living in Florida and there were many different local and state ballot initiatives, as well as elected judges. Those are the things that really make me want to vote. We had the midterm elections going on as well and that was, you know, important, but the local ballot initiatives, the local government—as much as the federal government has an influence on what you do—your local representatives and local elected officials have a greater effect of your daily life.”
“Hi, I’m Marnie from California and I have proudly voted in every election since I turned 18 because I feel like it’s part of the process of how things work in our country, and I’ve been proud of the country for most of my life. As soon as I finished a graduate program, I started volunteering to work at the polls which was what I had always, always wanted to do to really be a part of it and I loved it. I loved setting it up, I loved helping people vote if they were having problems.”
“Hello, this is Colin from New York. I vote because I think it’s my responsibility as an American. If we want democracy to work, we should participate in it… The most hopeful I have felt when voting is usually in a primary election when I know turnout is going to be low, and I’m putting my vote for somebody who I believe in and whose views really align with mine. Those are the votes that I think matter the most.”
“Hi, this is Louise from New York. I vote because I want to elect representatives who will work to toughen gun safety laws. My five-year-old grandson entered kindergarten this fall and it was really thrilling for all of us, but it was really scary. He faces lockdown drills at his school, learning escape routes out of the building, and I vote—and will keep on voting—to help change that.”
“I vote because I care about the world and the future. Voting is, for me, the way that I can hold my elected officials accountable and make my voice heard. I’m voting this year because I’ve voted every year that I’ve been eligible, and right now our votes mean more than ever before in creating a tomorrow that we can be proud of.”
“My mother took me with her to vote many times when I was in elementary school. She had fled Nazi Germany, and the power to vote—the power to be heard, the power to have her opinion matter—represented something very profound. I have never missed an opportunity to vote and I consider it a sacred obligation."
“I vote because it is one of our greatest American rights and duties. Democracy only works if you work it, and it is more important now than ever that we stand together and stand up for our democratic processes. Voting is how I make my voice heard, and it's how I show up for my community.”
Want to share your voting story?
Leave a voicemail: 202-743-5639
Your message doesn’t have to be perfect, just honest—and should only take a minute or two of your time!