“I feel relieved and grateful to see Joe and Kamala elected, and I am more hopeful than I have been in a while for this country’s progression. It kind of feels like a small sigh of relief, and we have somebody in a position to help us move forward. And that’s what I’m hoping for with the Georgia elections because it was a state that was Republican for so long, and now that it’s Democrat…it’s a monumental moment.

 

“It’s important for people to educate themselves and do their research on the fact that it does go deeper than just the presidential election. Many people see things happening and they want to just kind of jump on it, saying ‘this is the right thing to do.’ I think it’s important to know why it’s the right thing to do, understand the policies and laws that are trying to be changed, and who it is we’re voting for in these down-ballot elections.

 

“I was very much in a position where there was a lot I didn’t know, but I wanted to learn. So I asked the questions, and I think that’s all you can really do if there’s something that you don’t understand. Ask yourself: What information do I need to know and what conversations do I need to have in order to know what it is I’m fighting for? 

“I remember I had a conversation with Angela Rye, [CEO of IMPACT Strategies] who’s incredible. She really opened my eyes and helped me learn why it goes way deeper than just the presidency – it goes state by state, town by town. Even our local police forces, our school district administrators, our district attorneys are people who are making all these decisions for the places we specifically live. Knowing why that’s important and knowing why we make the decisions on who we vote for in those positions is so crucial. Ask the questions about why you’re making this decision.

 

“Something that’s really important to me is climate change because we had a president for the last four years who just kept overtly denying that there were climate issues. With the Georgia Runoff election, it should be acknowledged that the people that we’re putting in office, even locally, acknowledge that that is a humongous crisis. How are we being environmentally conscious? What does our carbon footprint look like? What are ways that we can make changes and make differences? These people need to be held accountable. 

 

 “There are so many people who have different opinions from their family or friends… and I’m a prime example. My parents and I are on complete opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to politics, and it’s okay! You don’t always have to agree on everything, you can have your own views. I went through that process as well, very deeply.

 

“One thing that I loved about this next generation that was eligible to vote this time around, was that they were very progressive and open to learning and expanding their faith. They were very passionate about this past election. And that was so inspiring to me because that’s what made me feel really hopeful. If we continue to have an open dialogue, people will continue to fight and to push for what we feel we need as people, as a country, and for our planet.”

 

Election Day

If you’d like to vote in-person for this election, just make sure you’re registered and plan out your Election Day plan so you have the time to go and vote on January 5th, 2021. Find your local polling station here, and remember how important it is to exercise your right to vote!

Need a ride to the polls? Plus1Vote is partnering with Uber to provide free rides for the current Georgia senate runoffs! You can use the voucher code “VoteGA”  for a free ride on January 5th! Available here.

 

Absentee Voting

You can also vote absentee for the Georgia Senate runoff.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot was December 15th.

To do so you can complete this application online (you’ll need your county, state ID number, birth date, and legal name). You can also fill out this PDF and return it to your county board of registrars via mail or email.

Absentee ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, January 5. You can also drop off your ballot at an official county drop box up until 7 p.m. on Election Day. Check your county’s election website for details and dropbox locations.

For more information, head to Plus1Vote for all of your voter questions.