Today is the big day and the turnout has been incredible. As the official countdown begins, a record of more than 99 million Americans have cast their ballots using early voting, despite an ongoing pandemic, postal delays, long lines, and court rulings that have questioned the country’s electoral system. Among these Americans are many first-time voters—individuals who have waited years to have the opportunity to vote, pending their immigration status.
Newly naturalized citizens who have never had the chance to vote before rightfully seized their chance and voted for change. This year is said to have the most newly registered voters any election has seen. According to the Pew Research Center, the number of naturalized citizens in the U.S. has nearly doubled in the past 20 years. Amid an economic recession, coronavirus pandemic, and nationwide protests and movements for racial equality a lot is at stake to drive people to the polls. Immigrants are sharing not only why they voted, but images encouraging others to do so. Take a look at some of the beautiful moments below.
On Mobilize America, there are hundreds of campaigns and local Democratic parties organizing (mostly virtual) get-out-the-vote activities. Find one near you, and connect with members of your community while doing work to turn out the Democratic vote!
Starting with a creative one—do you get the reference? (Hint: Google the movie IT, but do not watch it if you are afraid of clowns)
First-time voter Carlos Garcia, an immigrant from Mexico, told CNN:
“I've been silent for 21 years, without any official representation. I couldn't really come out of the shadows. And at this point, I'm ready to scream from the top of my lungs. I'm going to vote in person. I want to experience for the very first time that feeling, that emotion that I'm casting my vote. And I'm voting against my oppression. I waited 21 years for this moment. I can wait 21 hours in line to cast my vote. I don't care what happens. Nobody's going to stop me from voting.”
Another first-time voter, Ahmed “A.J.” Mikhlif, from Iraq, told The Washington Post he is voting not only for the first time in America, but for the first time in his life. Mikhlif explained that this is due to his home country’s corrupt government and civil unrest.
“Here, you vote for two people or maybe three people,” Mikhlif said. “In Iraq, there was one person. It wasn’t voting. You like or you dislike that person. And that was all.”
Mikhlif and his wife became citizens in December. He works as a translator and believes “America was built on the shoulders of immigrants.” And right he is.
“This is my first time voting in my whole life. I didn't vote in Afghanistan, because I felt, this is pointless, it's not going to count; they're going to do what they're going to do. But here I believe when you vote, you are going to make some changes, because I believe in justice,” Barati said.
Here’s a cute play on the “how it started, how’s it going” challenge.
And of course children and families expressed pride in their parents and guardians voting.
Check out more heartfelt stories and beautiful photos on Twitter under the hashtag #FirstTimeVoter. Have any yourself? Share them below!
Source: Daily Kos
No comments:
Post a Comment