In my campaign for the Florida State Senate, a critical factor in achieving victory is motivating people to vote. Why some people vote against their own interests is something I’ll never understand, but when others don’t vote at all pains me even more. As we’ve seen time and time again, elections have consequences.
But facing the sheer weight of lies and corruption thundering down on them from elected officials, many graduating high school seniors and college students may feel hopeless. That’s why our campaign mailed more than 2,000 postcards to newly registered voters in Florida’s District 12. On the front was this image:
On the back, I had to think back to when I was their age and share with them why I felt it was important for them to take an active role in the upcoming election. Here’s what I wrote:
Hello New Voter!
Becoming a registered voter is one of the most important things you'll ever do, and here’s why: When you vote, you become part of the solution. That’s why I registered at 18, and why I'm running for Florida State Senate. I still want to be part of the solution.
At Gary2018.com, you’ll learn how, as a travel writer, I’ve explored every part of Florida where I’ve seen how fast our state is growing. But Florida is changing, and not always for the better. So I’ll support any legislation to protect people from gun violence, to defend our threatened environment, to promote a living wage for workers, and to ensure that graduates can focus on their careers without the burden of student debt.
The hard lesson is this: Decisions that affect you are being made with or without your input. Because this is the most important election in a generation, speak up for your generation! Understand that your vote is your voice!
This a populist grassroots campaign to restore compassion, common sense, and compromise to our state government, and I need your help to make this happen. Visit Gary2018.com and find links to social media and ways to volunteer. I look forward to working with you.
Gary
And there it is. It’s a lesson that applies not just to new voters, but to every voter. Share this message with others. Encourage them to get involved. Criticizing from the sidelines, pointing out the lies of public servants, and agreeing with like-minded friends won’t accomplish anything. Our race and hundreds of others will be successful only if Democrats vote. And when Democrats vote, Democrats win.
(I won’t win this race without an abundance of moral and/or monetary support. Whichever you can share on social media or via a secure ActBlue donation would be appreciated.)