The journey to the polls is one that requires research, introspection, and understanding who you are. My Voting Power is here to take you on that journey and prepare you for all the steps along the way. Follow along over the next couple months to examine your core values, learn about the candidates, engage with the community, understand your ballot, hear from elected officials, and arrive at the polls confident and ready to make a difference.
This week we are going to tackle the first part of voting that no one talks about: evaluating your values.
How am I feeling about this upcoming election? What issues do I care about? What characteristics am I looking for in the candidates?
Knowing your core values will help you decide where you stand on big issues and make your vote that much more powerful. The MVP team worked through this self evaluation process to better understand ourselves as voters and now we want to share it with you, so you can do the same.
Ask yourself the following questions and come up with answers, real answers. Then jot those answers down so you can come back to them throughout this election journey and expand on them.
📝 STEP 1 // THE POLLS:
Getting to the polls is a challenge in itself. So, our first step is making an active decision to vote in this election. As voters, we need to realize the power our vote holds. Think about how your core values align with the act of voting. What does it mean to you to be able to vote and what obstacles might be holding you back from voting. In the general election, 18-35 year old voices aren’t being heard. Millennial voter turnout is approximately 55% lower, on average, than that of 35+ year olds in Greenwich. We analyzed voter participation among millennials in Greenwich for each November general election from 2012 to 2019 by looking at Greenwich's voter demographic reports and election results and found that approximately 3000 millennials have never voted since registering to vote. It’s time to ask ourselves why.
Why Vote?
Does Voting Stress Me Out? Why?
If I Haven’t Been Voting, What Is Stopping Me?
📝 STEP 2 // THE ISSUES:
Now, arguably the most daunting part: examining the important issues. Research is key. Start simple with a Google search of the big topics up for debate in this election. Of course, always look for reputable sources that present different perspectives on the issue. Now look inward and identify which issues connect with your core values or challenge your core values. Think about the ways these issues affect you, your community, your state, and your country. Then ask yourself the following questions:
What Are The Important Issues In This Election?
What Issues Do I Have A Stake In?
What Issues Are Important to Me?
What Issues Are Important To My Community, State, & Country?
What Is An Issue That I Care About That Doesn’t Directly Affect My Life?
📝 STEP 3 // THE CANDIDATES:
Lastly, we want to analyze the type of person you imagine in leadership. This person represents us and our interests and we have a say in who they will be. It’s time to examine what values you want your candidates to have. What kind of person do you see leading your community, state, and country? This can greatly affect your vote and perception of the candidates. It’s important to take a close look at each candidate’s character and how their core values come into play when they become an elected official.
What Characteristics Are Most Important In A Leader?
What Changes Do I Want To See In Local or National Government?
What Qualities Do I Respect In A Public Figure?
There’s more to it but this is a start, a start to understanding your core values, finding out who you are as a voter, knowing that issues matter to you, and feeling the power of your vote. We each have a voice, it’s time to represent!
What’s Next On Our Journey?
Check out a little preview of where we will be going together before election day to make sure you have all the information you need before getting to the polls.
001: A Deep Dive Into The 2024 Primary Election
002: I’m Freaking Out… How Do I Start?
003: Who Am I As A Voter?
004: What Are My Voter Values?
005: How Do I Research A Candidate?
006: How Do I Engage With My Community During Election Season?
007: Guide To Greenwich Voting
008: Elected Perspective: Interview Series Pt. 1
009: Elected Perspective: Interview Series Pt. 2
010: The Final Countdown: What Do We Need To Do To Prepare for Election Day?
011: Election Recap
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