Discrimination. Police brutality. Separation of families.

These are things that will become even more rampant if we don’t make our voices heard. If we don’t vote, we are all guilty of letting others get away with stomping on the rights of people of color, women and our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters.

There are people who don’t care about the things we care about, and they’re voting. We can’t let that happen.

About 221 million American citizens are eligible to vote, according to a New York Times analysis. Unfortunately, many don’t. An election can be decided by less than 120,000 votes, like in Florida during 2016. History has often been changed because a few people didn’t vote.

If we don’t vote, we will give up control over our life. Many don’t vote in midterm elections because they have poorer turnout than presidential elections. This gives our vote more power.

Before Oct. 22, these are the things you need to be aware of:
1. Make sure that you are on the voter’s list. Register to vote at California’s Online Voter Registration page https://registertovote.ca.gov/

2.Visit Voter’s Edge. This site was put together by The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund (LWVCEF) and is an unbiased guide for basic info on who is running for office in local, state, and national government, breakdowns on what the propositions on your ballots are, and where your polling place location is for Nov. 6.

3. Figure out your polling place location. Another helpful site is the county elections office If you don’t have online access, call the Secretary of State’s toll-free voter hotline at (800) 345-8683.

4. On the day of voting, bring an identification card (State ID or driver’s license).

This November, let our voices be heard. Vote in the local elections and let’s take action. Let’s be part of change.