IGNITE's Blog

A Self-Care Plan for Now through Election Day

This election cycle is taking a greater toll on folks than previous elections, so much so that people are getting Election Stress Disorder (ESD).

In recent weeks, we’ve talked a lot about the importance of voting, convincing the non-voter to vote, and falsehoods about voting. Voter apathy is very real. It’s one of the reasons the U.S. has one of the lowest voter turnouts in the developed world, but it’s certainly not the only reason. Registration, scheduling, and voter suppression contribute to this problem as well, and unfortunately, it’s simply much harder to vote in some states than others. On the contrary, states, where it’s the easiest to vote, have conveniences like online voter registration, automatic voter registration, allowing voters to register on Election Day, and some even have universal mail-in voting.

Continuing on with our series highlighting the most difficult places to vote in the U.S., we dive into issues affecting Georgia.

Florida is no stranger to Election Day mishaps. Three statewide recounts in 2018, Russian hacking in 2016, and unreasonably long voting lines in 2012. When we talk about states where it’s hardest to vote, Florida is definitely up there with its history of challenges dating back two decades.

Election season has been in full swing for some time now. In fact, many states have already started early voting and collecting absentee and mail-in ballots. Part and parcel with the hype and excitement of the election is stress and anxiety.

Beware electoral scams and trickery! You hear about voter fraud and voter suppression in the news and on social media a lot.

There are few issues that have been so passionately debated for so long. Regardless of your views on specific aspects of reproductive rights, one thing’s for sure: Your vote makes a difference. Who you help elect into office and the applicable ballot measures you help decide shape our reproductive care environment.

There’s a ton of info about how your employment status or socioeconomic standing will impact your voting habits and selections. But what about the other way around? How does your vote affect jobs and one’s standard of living?

Here at IGNITE, we’ve received a lot of questions from our community wanting to learn more about how your vote impacts specific issues. We will dive into your vote and its impact on mass shootings, unemployment, healthcare, racial inequality, reproductive health, and climate change. Up first, mass shootings and gun violence.

The science and economics are in. Scientists from a variety of disciplines agree that the Earth’s climate is changing and it’s likely due to us humans. Global business leaders view environmental issues as being among the greatest risks we face going forward.

You know who else is super concerned about climate change? Young voters! With very good reason. Millennials and Gen Zers are deeply aware that they’ll bear the brunt of climate change. They’ll be the ones living with the effects the actions (or inactions) we take today.