This year in Virginia, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Virginia House of Delegates, as well as local offices are up for election. Some of these offices have primary elections. The people we elect shape the policies that affect our daily lives, including how resources are invested in our healthcare, how our schools support and reflect our communities, how immigrants are treated in policy and practice, and what it costs to live with dignity and security. When so many in our communities are still shut out of the democratic process, our participation becomes even more critical.
Asian Americans are one of the fastest growing groups of voters in Virginia, and our turnout has skyrocketed in recent elections. This momentum is no accident; it’s the culmination of generations of organizing and advocacy in our communities to secure the right to vote for women and people of color. Voter suppression continues to this day, but we fight back by showing up at the polls because we know the power of our vote.
Voting isn’t just a right; it’s a privilege to vote for those who can’t, and it’s our responsibility to elect people who will enact policies that uplift all communities. Let’s keep up this momentum and flex our Asian American community power at the polls!