Our local community newspaper, the Greenbelt News Review, had a fictional story last week about the 2024 elections When Choosing the Lesser of Two Evils Makes Sense.  The writer describes the dilemma of the person who doesn’t like either candidate. After some reflection, the person decided the best way t was to not vote at all. 

The story then describes 10 people and their reactions to two finalists Donnie and Kammie. Five can’t stand Donnie, four think he is the best. Two of those who don’t like Donnie don’t like Kammie either. So in the end Donnie gets his votes from his four admirers, Kammie gets three votes, and three people don’t vote. This pattern is repeated enough times that Donnie wins. And Kammie’s supporters can’t understand how this happened. 

A lot of people are excited about Kamala Harris and her campaign. So too, a lot of people continue to think Donald Trump is the way forward for America; they are committed to continued economic gains for the wealthy, and white domination of America’s power structure. 

Because this election is important to racial justice and democracy in our country, I am encouraging everyone to take the dive into the messy pool of the 2024 election; please act now.  Like the voter who doesn’t like either candidate, we all have a choice. Step into increased involvement in this election or step back and see what happens?

While stepping back is tempting, the results are scary for our country. There is less than a month before the Nov 5 election. Early voting has begun or will begin soon in many places. NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT. 

To build and sustain a loving just community, we need each other. Despite prevalent myths, no hero leader succeeds alone. We need each other to engage in the 2024 election, and take the actions our heart and faith tell us will advance a more just and loving world. 

Here are some actions I and other friends are taking. Decide what stepping up means for you, and commit to whatever actions you decide. Here are four of many choices:

1. Make sure everyone you know is planning to vote. If you wonder whether someone plans to vote, call them and share your concern about the election and the importance of every vote. There’s plenty of polling data that shows how close the races are in so many places. Check out any data relevant for your calls, then make the calls.
2. Write letters to voters in swing states sharing why you think voting is important, and encouraging that person to vote. A nonpartisan national nonprofit Vote Forward has developed a guide for how to write letters, provides addresses and sample templates for your letters. Check out their simple Guide.  Geraldine and I have joined our niece, our neighbor, and two other friends who are actively writing letters. Join us – it’s easy! 
3. A friend in Oregon is doing what is called “deep canvassing” by phone for Montana; another friend from MD is doing in person deep canvassing in Pennsylvania. Deep canvassing seeks to bring compassion, deep listening and democratic values to voter outreach. There are opportunities to be trained on line and to carry out this effective technique from home or on site. Local organizations like Silver Spring Progressive Action in the Washington DC area or national organizations like Deep Canvass Institute offer a range of ways to get involved, and support for deep canvassing or other outreach efforts. Check them out, then consider giving it a try. 
4. Campaigns sadly cost a lot of money. The Supreme Court’s decision in the Citizens United case in 2010 makes it possible for wealthy people to invest large amounts of money, and influence election outcomes. For democracy to prevail, all people need to invest in campaigns important to our democracy.  If you give a little now, you probably will be deluged with requests for more. Ignore all the requests, and develop your own path to decide which candidates to support and how much. I have found talking to friends in different parts of the country about their choices very helpful. Stay informed and give what you can. 

Voting is a public responsibility and a private matter. It’s time for us to step into what’s ours to do this election cycle.