Think about it, John — you’re ready to cast your ballot, whether it’s by mail or in-person, you’ve got everything you need. But before you cast your vote, have you filled out your entire ballot? If you have a minute, John — I want to tell you why it’s important to make sure you vote down-ballot this November when we head to the polls to vote for a new General Assembly and local elections like School Boards.

Here’s the thing: Candidates at the top of the ticket are critical for big, state policy issues that will shape the landscape of Virginia in the future. But our local policies, issues, and neighborhood candidates have the greatest impact on our daily lives, including the communities we live in, and even the information our children have access to in the classroom and our local libraries.

“...the sanitation worker, the schoolteacher, the person maintaining your local parks – every one is a living extension of your local government at work. This is what government is to most of us most of the time, if only we take the time to see it. And while it’s easy to take these things for granted, the fact is we are more dependent on the impact of local government than we may realize.

So, the concept of local voting boils down to this fundamental fact: In order for your government to work the way you want it to work, you need to weigh in.”

— U.S. Vote Foundation

Not voting down-ballot leaves local issues, candidates, and our communities vulnerable to apathy. We have the power to choose who makes decisions that impact our lives.

Voting down-ballot isn’t just important, John, it’s absolutely essential. John, add your name right now to commit to voting down-ballot this November.

SIGN ON

Thank you for being a voter, John!

— Bryan Price

Chair, Equality Virginia