Dear John,

The right to vote is extraordinarily unique. Beloved Congressman John Lewis left us with these unforgettable, inspiring words to last for a lifetime: “The vote is precious. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it.”

Indeed, all of us must exercise our right to vote by November 8, 2022. In one of the most transformative elections of our lifetime, democracy is on the ballot! Historically, democracy has always been on the ballot for Black Americans, whose journey is deeply embedded in the fight for voting rights. Even today, in more than thirteen states across the United States, the battle yet rages on to challenge voter suppression laws targeted primarily against Black and Brown Americans.

Without a doubt, failing to exercise our "precious vote" in 2022 is not an option for democracy-minded Oregonians. Rather, we must show up and show out in record numbers. This means mailing in our ballots early and on time to ensure that every vote cast is counted. Each and every vote is fundamental to stopping a serious threat to our democracy for decades to come.

Without a doubt, failing to exercise our "precious vote" in 2022 is not an option for democracy-minded Oregonians. Rather, we must show up and show out in record numbers. This means mailing in our ballots early and on time to ensure that every vote cast is counted. Each and every vote is fundamental to stopping a serious threat to our democracy for decades to come.

In just over two weeks, here is what's at stake in voting for democracy-minded Oregonians: 

• Full access to reproductive health care, including the right to abortion and contraceptives
• Fair workplace policies and wages to make sure that no one who works 40+ hours a week still lives in poverty
• Affordable, equitable health care as a right for all, not a privilege for the few, especially the cost of prescription drugs
• Protection of our environment against the devastating impacts of climate change
• Protection of Social Security for our seniors
• Access to safe and affordable housing, rental and home purchases
• Humane immigrant rights and policies
• True accountability for law enforcement, not practices rife with racial profiling
• Meaningful, fair gun control legislation
• Equitable public education for our children where teachers are rewarded, not punished, for teaching a true and complete American history
• The right to marry who you love
• Social and economic justice for all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or (dis)ability.

The state of our democracy is only as strong as our vote. On November 8th, our choices are clear, but we must vote.

The Democratic Party of Oregon has put forth candidates throughout the state who understand that democracy is on the ballot, who share our values, and who will fight fiercely for social and economic justice for all. When you sit down today with your ballot and your voters pamphlet, the Black Caucus hopes you will also use our quick click, easy access guide for each of Oregon’s Democratic candidates. Please check out these valuable voter tools:

Click here for a list of Democratic candidate websites.

And click here for ORDemsVote.org which has a list of Democratic candidates on your ballot and election protection information.

VOTE like your life depends on it, because it does! Let’s win some solid Democratic victories up and down the ballot on November 8th. Let's make sure we wake up on November 9th in the hands of Democrats -- our Oregon Governor, both Houses of the Legislature in Salem, and the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C.

Thanks everybody!

Rosa Colquitt, PhD
Vice Chair, Democratic Party of Oregon
Chair, Democratic Party of Oregon Black Caucus.