Every presidential election year is inevitably called “The Most Important of Our Time.”
This year, the statement is undeniable true.
The nation is in crisis, ravaged by the coronavirus and enraged by the death of George Floyd, leading to a long overdue national reckoning about systemic racism.
More than ever, there are stark differences on how to address these issues—not only between parties but within each party. The pull to the extremes of each party has gained momentum in recent years, from the Tea Party on the Right and the Sanders/Squad faction on the Left.
Their movements have gained recognition starting in primaries, where voter turnout is lowest but impact can be highest. The extremes of the parties have pushed to register voters, getting them out to vote to further their agendas.
A direct line can easily be drawn from the outcome of primary elections to the increasing inability of Washington to function in a way that helps the average citizen.
Our message is simply and clear: If you want to see a government that is representative of your values and priorities, then make it a priority to vote in the New Jersey primary.
The primary in the Garden State this year is ripe for an extreme candidate to pull off an upset, now held days after a holiday weekend, amid health concerns about going to a polling station and the uncertainty of New Jersey’s first statewide vote-by-mail election.
The nation is facing major issues that need politicians willing to work across the aisle to figure out what is best for moving our country forward. Issues like immigration, social justice, an economy that works for all, an energy policy that factors in climate change, what our foreign policy is, judicial nominations—major legislation that cannot be solved by Democrats or Republicans alone.
It is time that the United States stops being ruled by the whims of executive orders and gets real Congressional legislation crafted in a bipartisan way that will have lasting impact.
A common complaint when politics are discussed around the kitchen table or in the backyard is “Nothing ever gets done in Washington.” Don’t fall for that cynicism. Make a difference by casting a vote, either by mail or at the polling booth, this July.
Please remind people that we are only one in vote states that don’t have a paper trail that would help decide a close election. Voting by mail is now, thankfully, our paper trail!
I want Vote by Mail to continue, especially during a world wide pandemic for Pete’s sake!