IGNITE's Blog

Are you one of the younger Gen Zers who can’t yet vote in general or local elections, and are screaming ‘What about me?’. This post is for you.

Elections are one way we can address real-life issues such as climate change, immigration, systemic racism, police brutality, and so on, on a local, state, and federal level. Through voting, we can work toward creating a better future for the generations to come. Elections are important and the outcomes impact all of us. 

During the 1960s, Alabama was at the center of the fight for voting rights yet today, six decades later, it’s still one of the most difficult places to register to vote and cast a ballot. As other states have evolved policies for early voting, voter registration, and vote-by-mail, a report by the Southern Poverty Law Center shows pretty much the opposite in Alabama. 

A presidential election during a global pandemic is just one more challenging circumstance for Americans to navigate in 2020. As a result, several states have expanded absentee voting in the past few months to allow people who are concerned about contracting COVID-19 to vote-by-mail instead of at the polls. However, Tennessee is one of six states that still requires an excuse in order to cast a ballot by mail.

Believe it or not, Wisconsin used to be one of the easiest states to vote in. Other states looked to the Barger State as a golden example of voting. Things have been steadily changing, though. 

Virginia once had the dubious distinction of being called the “second hardest state to vote in.” While it’s still harder to vote in Virginia than some other states, it is making significant progress. 

South Carolina has a list of election troubles as long as, well, those notorious lines of voters wrapping around the block and down the street that you see plastered across the news. Many of the issues stem from poor resourcing. Others are borne out of the state’s desire for secure elections but seem to come at the cost of voter participation.

IGNITE alumni across the nation have been putting in the work to represent their communities. These women are often the first women in the position, and their work can inspire the trajectory for so many young women to get involved with politics. Especially for BIPOC, it’s important to have people of all backgrounds represented in places of power and leadership. For Hispanic Heritage Month, IGNITE is highlighting alumni who are using their political power to pave the way for the next generation of leaders. 

You're passionate about voting. Usually this time of year you are canvassing, knocking on doors, or hosting voter registration events. This year, you're in Zoom calls for HOURS. Make good use of that time by reminding your classmates or colleagues to #IGNITEtheVote. 

IGNITE the Vote Ambassador Emily Grimmius reflects on the life and legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. This reflection was first published on Emily's website.