Our Voices, Our Votes, Our Democracy
As Election Day approaches, we need to have an honest conversation about voting: why it matters, what has changed, and what we must do to make our voices heard.
Let me be clear: this is a nonpartisan message. Regardless of political affiliation, every eligible voter deserves a fair opportunity to participate. Our democracy benefits when people are informed, engaged, and able to cast their ballots without unnecessary barriers.
Voting connects our concerns to the people who have the authority to address them. Education, housing, healthcare, employment, and the use of public resources are all influenced by elected officials. When we vote, we help determine who makes those decisions and whose priorities they represent.
Yet the protections surrounding our right to vote are not as strong as they once were.
In 2013, the Supreme Court's decision in Shelby County v. Holder struck down the formula used to determine which jurisdictions had to obtain federal approval before changing their voting rules. This approval process, known as preclearance, was designed to prevent discriminatory changes before they affected voters. Although the requirement itself was not eliminated, the ruling significantly limited its application.
More recently, in April 2026, the Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais narrowed how Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act applies to certain redistricting challenges involving racial discrimination. The ruling made it more difficult to require additional majority-minority districts under the law.
These decisions matter because voting rights involve more than access to a ballot. They also involve whether communities have a fair opportunity to elect representatives of their choice.
For Black Americans, this history is especially significant. Generations faced exclusion, intimidation, and violence while fighting for access to the ballot. Recognizing that history does not make this message partisan. It reminds us why equal access must remain a public priority.
But while some protections have been weakened, important voting rights and opportunities remain available.
In New York, registered voters can still vote early, vote in person on Election Day, or request an early mail ballot without providing an excuse. Protections against voter intimidation and discrimination also remain in place.
So, what do we do now?
First, check your voter registration. Confirm that your name and address are correct and verify your polling location through your local Board of Elections.
In New York, voter registration applications must be received by October 24, 2026, to participate in the November general election. Early voting runs from October 24 through November 1. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Second, make a voting plan. Decide when you will vote, where you will go, and how you will get there. If voting by mail, request your ballot promptly, follow the instructions carefully, and return it on time.
Third, research the candidates and any ballot proposals. Understand the responsibilities of the offices candidates seek, the positions they take, and the promises they make. An informed vote gives us a stronger foundation for holding elected officials accountable.
Finally, know your rights. If you encounter difficulties at your polling location, ask questions before leaving. If your name does not appear in the poll book, speak with an election worker about your options, including an affidavit ballot.
When Communities Feel Their Votes Don't Matter
While conducting voter registration drives, I have encountered people who are disenchanted with the voting process. Some believe their vote doesn't matter. Others question whether elected officials are listening to them or whether voting will make any difference in their lives.
I understand their frustration. When people continue experiencing the same challenges in their neighborhoods and communities, election after election, it can be difficult to believe their voices are being heard.
But what happens when large numbers of people in a community don't vote?
Decisions about schools, neighborhood development, public transportation, housing, and community resources are still being made. When fewer residents participate in elections, those who do vote have greater influence over which candidates are elected. The concerns of people who don't participate may be less fully reflected in the outcome.
That doesn't mean people who don't vote don't care about their communities. Some face barriers to voting, while others have simply lost confidence in the process.
I wonder, though, how many people realize that casting a ballot is only one part of our civic responsibility.
Our Responsibility Doesn't End at the Ballot Box
Once candidates are elected, we have a responsibility to pay attention to what they actually do in office.
Are they following through on their campaign promises? Are their decisions and votes consistent with what they told us during their campaigns? Are they addressing the concerns of the people they represent?
And when they are not, we need to let them know.
Perhaps you disagree with how your representative voted on legislation. Maybe your neighborhood needs a park where children can safely play, improvements to local schools, safer streets, or better access to community resources.
These are conversations we should be having with the people we elect, not just during campaign season, but throughout their time in office.
Our elected officials work for us. They are entrusted with representing the people, and they need to hear from the communities they serve. We cannot assume they know what matters to us if we never communicate our concerns.
That doesn't mean every request will be granted or every problem resolved immediately. But we have the right to ask questions, express our concerns, and hold our representatives accountable.
Admittedly, keeping up with voting records, government decisions, and campaign promises can feel like a lot of work. Between our jobs, families, and everyday responsibilities, staying informed may seem overwhelming.
But we don't have to do it alone.
Consider connecting with family members, friends, or neighbors who share similar concerns and a common vision for their community. By working together, the responsibility can be shared.
For example, one person might communicate with an elected official about an issue affecting the group. Another could remind everyone about important meetings or public hearings. Someone else might monitor the official's voting record and share updates on progress being made, or the lack thereof.
This allows everyone to contribute without placing the entire responsibility on one person. It also creates opportunities for shared learning and collective accountability.
We don't always have to agree on every issue to work together on the concerns we share.
I believe part of addressing voter disenchantment is helping people understand that participation doesn't begin and end on Election Day. Casting a ballot does not guarantee that everything we want will happen. Democracy requires continued participation, communication, and accountability.
At a time when voting protections have been weakened, we must understand and exercise the rights that remain available while continuing to advocate for fair access to the ballot.
The ballot box is where we make our choice, but civic engagement is how we continue to make our voices heard.
As Election Day approaches, let us prepare, stay informed, and remember that our voices matter long after the ballots have been counted.
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Lydia Alston-Murphy, is a political editorial writer for Minority Reporter. Her articles focus on politics in all levels of government as well as every day issues. Email: alstonmurphy@gmail.com
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