Exactly one hundred years ago women were granted their right to vote as citizens of the United States of America. Now, it is our duty as women to use our hard-earned voices by casting our votes in the 2020 election.
Absentee voting has been available in this country since the Civil War, making it a well-established and reliable way to cast your vote. Sending a mail-in ballot is the most logical method for college students who will not be in their hometown on election day. Higr-risk individuals deserve a safe option through which they can cast their ballot during the pandemic. You can request your mail-in ballot anytime up to ten days before the election, but it’s safest to get ahead of the game & order now to make sure your vote is counted. Vote-by-mail ballots will begin being mailed to citizens the week of October 5th, so be on the lookout once you order your ballot and make sure to register to vote if you haven’t already!
In the words of candidate for Lake Mary City Commission Seat #1, Omar Sedek, “this election is bigger than all of us, not just because of the candidates, but ultimately, because it is a referendum on the path our country has chosen.” It is our civic duty to learn all that we can about the voting process and to use our voices to make change. It is critical to the wellbeing of our nation to take action. Some may express this by participating in peaceful protests, some may share their story with others, but the most effective way to leave your mark is to vote.
Voters can mail their completed ballot using the provided return envelope, or drop it off at one of the secured ballot drop box sites. For the location of these drop sites, as well as in-person voting locations, visit the Orange County Registrar of Voters website at: www.ocvote.com or visit: www.ocfelections.com for even more information. If you have not yet registered to vote, visit this website: https://registertovoteflorida.gov/home.
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for November 3rd if you’re voting in person, and remember that ballots must be received by the Supervisor of Elections’ Office no later than 7pm on Election Day. In the wise words of the late honorable Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, “real and enduring change happens one step at a time.” As we all take our own steps voting in different ways this year, each vote is one more step towards real change in this country.