Lets Chat About Voting

WEBVTT
00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.360
That is a big misconception.
00:00:01.439 --> 00:00:18.879
I was like, wait, you can go early and there's like a week long on dates and options and hours and locations so close to you that you can go and you can walk in and walk out most likely or maybe wait in like a five-minute line and it not be so time consuming, daunting, and whatever.
00:00:18.960 --> 00:00:20.239
I'm like crazy.
00:00:20.399 --> 00:00:21.199
I love this.
00:00:21.359 --> 00:00:24.000
I love this info and I love finding this out.
00:00:42.079 --> 00:00:46.640
Welcome to Casually Spiraling with me, Julie Bishop.
00:00:46.799 --> 00:00:52.399
Just a tall girl in this world trying to make sense of life, dating, money, relationships, identity, culture.
00:00:52.560 --> 00:00:54.000
You know, all the things.
00:00:54.240 --> 00:00:57.280
I learned that my thoughts don't always land with the people around me.
00:00:57.520 --> 00:01:05.840
So I'm here to break it all down, talk it out, probably over share, and maybe find some who don't think I'm totally crazy after all.
00:01:06.159 --> 00:01:09.760
Hi everyone! Welcome back to Casually Sparling.
00:01:09.920 --> 00:01:12.079
We are back for another Thursday.
00:01:12.319 --> 00:01:15.359
I'm have a little bit of the sniffles.
00:01:15.680 --> 00:01:20.560
So if you hear any of that through your headphones, sorry about that in advance.
00:01:20.799 --> 00:01:24.079
But also, I ain't no bitch, so I'm here.
00:01:24.239 --> 00:01:25.680
We're here and we keep going.
00:01:25.760 --> 00:01:26.719
You know what I mean?
00:01:26.959 --> 00:01:28.159
You know what I mean?
00:01:28.319 --> 00:01:35.359
Um, today I have my Eagle sweatshirt on, and they're making me really sad this season.
00:01:35.840 --> 00:01:40.400
They're doing really bad, and everyone is hurt.
00:01:40.719 --> 00:01:44.400
We're retiring Rip Lane Johnson, we miss you.
00:01:44.640 --> 00:01:45.920
Um, yeah.
00:01:46.400 --> 00:01:47.519
So that's really sad.
00:01:47.680 --> 00:01:57.840
It kind of feels like we got LeBron for the Sixers and then had to sacrifice the talent and health of all our other Philly teams, you know what I mean?
00:01:58.159 --> 00:02:03.359
So we'll see how that progresses, but it's not looking good.
00:02:03.519 --> 00:02:08.639
It's not looking good, and it is a bit sad, but forever go birds.
00:02:08.879 --> 00:02:10.080
You know what I mean?
00:02:10.400 --> 00:02:11.680
You know what I mean.
00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:16.319
Um, before we get into today's topic, there have been some funny headlines.
00:02:16.400 --> 00:02:29.199
I don't know if you guys have been seeing them, and you know, it's good to reflect on the funny ones and the light ones when there's a lot of dark and scary ones, usually.
00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:47.919
Um, but we've got Kelly Clarkson over here talking about a curiosity shop in Brooklyn that she felt shamed at and going to war with them on to winter, like literally America's sweet princess that thought would never hurt a fly.
00:02:48.159 --> 00:02:51.360
So that's you know, that's a funny thing going on.
00:02:51.439 --> 00:03:03.919
And then we got Toby McGuire over there officiating the wedding of his ex-wife to a billionaire just a few weeks after their divorce finalized, which is just I saw saw the photos.
00:03:04.000 --> 00:03:10.240
I'm just like, this is either really great or really weird, you know.
00:03:10.479 --> 00:03:13.120
Like, I I'm sure it probably took a while.
00:03:13.199 --> 00:03:16.159
They've probably been separated for a while, even though their divorce is finalized.
00:03:16.319 --> 00:03:32.719
It could potentially be like, look, they're co-parents, maybe they're friends now, and he's fully supporting the new guy, and maybe they have a good, um, you know, mixed family, co-family dynamic, and it's so great that it funny and works.
00:03:33.039 --> 00:03:40.639
And maybe he's like, hey, yeah, you marry that billionaire, you get us that money for the child support, you know?
00:03:41.039 --> 00:03:51.840
Or it could be just like so strange because they too said these vows and yet broke those vows and the promises.
00:03:52.240 --> 00:03:56.800
Yet now he's officiating her saying the same vows with another man.
00:03:56.960 --> 00:03:59.360
So I just thought that was so funny.
00:03:59.599 --> 00:04:02.240
And then the Kelly Clarkson thing, it's just funny.
00:04:02.400 --> 00:04:06.800
People are so divided on who is in the right and who is in the wrong.
00:04:07.120 --> 00:04:13.919
I feel like both a little bit are um all over a sinking bird on the wall.
00:04:14.080 --> 00:04:20.079
If you don't know, I'll go through it quickly, but you should look it up for the full story if you want a little laugh.
00:04:20.319 --> 00:04:37.439
But pretty much she goes to this curiosity shop, is what it is called in Brooklyn, to buy some like antiques or this specific bird that they have, and she says she wants to buy it, and pretty much she feels like they shamed her and was like, You can't afford that, we'll get you something else.
00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:40.639
And she walked out and then she tweeted about it.
00:04:40.800 --> 00:04:51.439
But then you know it's a small business, so then they got a lot of hate, and but then they kind of were sassy to her and they were going back and forth, so it's a whole thing.
00:04:51.759 --> 00:05:03.279
Like, yeah, obviously, you should be treated with respect, but also she has a huge platform and billions of followers, so maybe she should be aware of the impact of something she may tweet happen.
00:05:03.600 --> 00:05:06.319
Maybe she should have just handled it, you know, and privately.
00:05:06.480 --> 00:05:15.839
But it's just so funny, like Kelly Clarkson out of all people, just over a bird on a wall singing, name Molly.
00:05:16.160 --> 00:05:16.879
I don't know.
00:05:17.120 --> 00:05:27.040
Just funny, just some funny things going on, and it's nice to just take in the light stuff when typically it's a lot, a lot of dark, dark, sad stuff, you know.
00:05:27.120 --> 00:05:29.199
So we gotta laugh sometimes about that.
00:05:29.519 --> 00:05:35.920
But kind of that transitions us into today's a little bit more serious and educational topic.
00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:39.439
Um, wanted to do a little something different today.
00:05:39.759 --> 00:05:45.120
Never before seen on casually spiraling, but we are in October now.
00:05:45.439 --> 00:05:51.360
Midterm elections are right around the corner in a week or two or two and a half.
00:05:51.680 --> 00:06:03.839
And I feel like I feel like we gotta do this episode here with so much going on in the world and what a crazy state we're at on voting.
00:06:04.480 --> 00:06:06.240
And we're gonna go through it all.
00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:07.920
I'm gonna tell you about my first time voting.
00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:21.920
I'm gonna tell you, hopefully, like tell you why the midterms elections are important, and maybe give you some resources, maybe try to make you feel a little less overwhelmed, because I know it can be overwhelming and stressful, so then I feel like people just don't do it.
00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:42.959
And hopefully I have like a certain age range here, maybe some newer voters who never voted for, maybe people who have or who just say they will, but then it it November comes so fast, and they're like, Oh shoot, I missed it, I don't know what I'm doing, I don't know where to go, yada yada yada, and then it just passes by and people don't vote, okay?
00:06:43.759 --> 00:06:50.959
And there's just been a lot of horrifying news over the last since 2016, sure.
00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:58.480
Um, but especially recently, we have the Cornell 7 that's just came out.
00:06:58.639 --> 00:07:04.639
It's so terriful, it's so horrifying, it's so horrifying seeing how our current president reacted to that.
00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:12.560
We have the I am Jane Doe movement coming out of it, and yeah, it's just very disgusting.
00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:17.120
Um, feels weird to not mention it because it's like all over right now.
00:07:17.360 --> 00:07:39.439
Um, and I think it that motivated me to want to do an episode on this because it is just so important right now that if you can vote to vote and realize why and the power that it has and the power that we need to take a hold of for this country.
00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:45.519
Um, so yeah, and podcasts weren't really much of a thing before I turned 18.
00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:50.000
So I didn't know going into voting ages that much.
00:07:50.160 --> 00:08:01.439
I didn't have I was there weren't podcasts that I could just listen to and hopefully get info in a digestible way because it cannot seem like a lot and not digestible.
00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:11.759
So, you know, if I have somewhat of a platform, at least we'll do my best to provide info to the best that I can and educate it in a fun, digestible way.
00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:22.000
So, yeah, why it matters, how to do it without feeling completely overwhelmed, because yeah, the day is gonna come and it's gonna come fast.
00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:38.000
So it's good to have it all figured out ahead of time because if you already know where you're going, when you're going, what you're walking into, uh, who you're voting for, and all that before, then you just walk in day of in and out, and you're done, and it's not so stressful, and it didn't just pass you by.
00:08:38.399 --> 00:08:46.000
So, to start out, let me just set the scene for you on my first time voting and my first experiences.
00:08:46.399 --> 00:08:58.320
Okay, so my first election that I was 18 for was the 2016 presidential election, so definitely voted in that one.
00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:01.840
Um, that was a big game changer for all world.
00:09:02.159 --> 00:09:26.879
And 2016 was my freshman year of college, and I had just moved from the north to the south, so it was definitely a very interesting uh shift being surrounded by a lot of people that felt like it felt like me and my uh roommate at the time were the only ones that voted Democrat um on our dorm floor.
00:09:27.039 --> 00:09:35.519
We definitely saw that it was so we were thrown into quite an experience at quite a time, right?
00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:56.320
So my sophomore year comes around, and now we got a different roommate, new roommate, and she's really into politics and she knew her stuff, and she was passionate about showing up, about helping out on campaigns, and this and that, and that honestly is what inspired me, and where I learned a lot.
00:09:56.639 --> 00:10:06.399
Um, yeah, because she was so educated on it all, and I was not as educated on it, and I didn't know much.
00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:16.320
And seeing her being so knowledgeable and showing up, yeah, it was inspiring and it taught me the importance of it.
00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:36.320
And it wasn't, I wasn't learning it by some lecture or whatever, but just seeing someone who cared um and went out of her way to show up for things that she did care about and what she believed in, um, and trying to make an impact was was a good experience to see and to learn from.
00:10:36.480 --> 00:11:01.039
And that's what that's how I started getting into voting because she took me to my first like local in the time in Wilmington, North Carolina, like elections, um, to vote, because she I think was working on some of the campaigns, so it was just natural going and supporting learning from her about the candidates, um, learning how to like go in.
00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:01.919
What do I do?
00:11:02.080 --> 00:11:03.039
What do I bring?
00:11:03.200 --> 00:11:04.399
How does it work?
00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:05.919
And this and that.
00:11:06.159 --> 00:11:09.200
Um, so it was nice to have someone to go with.
00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:11.039
So we went together.
00:11:11.279 --> 00:11:21.679
It I can be normally socially anxious, sometimes doing things that are new and are structured, and you don't know the structure, and you're like, ah, what do we do?
00:11:21.840 --> 00:11:24.480
I don't want to mess up, I don't want to step by line, meh meh meh.
00:11:24.639 --> 00:11:27.120
And like, is there gonna be a long line and this or that?
00:11:27.200 --> 00:11:29.600
And like, so it was nice to have someone to go with.
00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:31.759
So definitely recommend that.
00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:38.159
If it's your first time, um, and you feel comfortable going with a friend, then go make it a thing, you know?
00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:40.000
And yeah, we went together.
00:11:40.159 --> 00:11:43.919
It was easy breezy, it felt good, and it clicked.
00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:48.480
That I was like, okay, this is something I can do and I want to do from here on out.
00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:51.360
Um, definitely easier than I thought for sure.
00:11:51.519 --> 00:11:55.600
I was like, am I gonna be waiting in a long line and this and that?
00:11:56.080 --> 00:12:13.120
But when I learned about early voting, like there is this misconception that maybe you have to go on election day on the one Tuesday that everyone goes, you have to get off work and wait in such a long line, and it's gonna take you hours and hours.
00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:14.559
That is a big misconception.
00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:32.080
I was like, wait, you can go early, and there's like a week long of dates and options and hours and locations so close to you that you can go and you can walk in and walk out most likely, or maybe wait in like a five-minute line and it not be so time-consuming, daunting, and whatever.
00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:33.519
I'm like crazy.
00:12:33.679 --> 00:12:34.399
I love this.
00:12:34.559 --> 00:12:36.960
I love this info, and I love finding this out.
00:12:37.120 --> 00:12:45.440
So, yes, you do not have to vote on one specific day and wait an hours long line and go somewhere very far and out of the way.
00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:45.919
Okay?
00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:48.480
Don't let that fool you.
00:12:48.960 --> 00:12:50.320
There is early voting.
00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:51.919
Take advantage of that.
00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:58.080
Look at your dates ahead of time, pick what day works for you and what location is closest to you.
00:12:58.320 --> 00:13:02.480
Most likely there will be one very close to you.
00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:04.720
And just plan ahead.
00:13:04.799 --> 00:13:07.519
And then you just know, and it's easy.
00:13:07.679 --> 00:13:09.519
And then if you want, go with a friend.
00:13:09.600 --> 00:13:22.480
If you feel comfortable with a friend and discussing these things, go with a friend, get some coffee, make it fun and like more normal, then a whole to-do and a whole stressful thing, right?
00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:26.960
Maybe if my one roommate hadn't been that kind of person, who knows?
00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:38.720
Maybe what I would have learned later on, or maybe I would have let that first election step by, or maybe I would just think you just go every four years for the presidential election.
00:13:38.960 --> 00:13:49.519
So I'm glad I had someone to learn from and be inspired by, and know that there are more elections than just the one every four years that you think.
00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:54.240
So why does it feel so overwhelming and feel like just the most and so much?
00:13:54.320 --> 00:13:58.080
Okay, getting fully informed can feel like a lot.
00:13:58.399 --> 00:14:11.039
There are a lot of candidates and things and measures and things on the ballot that you probably have never seen before, and words, and there's all this jargon, and you're like, oh my god, I'm trying to read this, but I can't understand it.
00:14:11.200 --> 00:14:15.360
So I have to like Google each word and then put it together like fucking Shakespeare.
00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:20.320
And sometimes maybe then you feel like you don't know enough to vote confidently.
00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:22.159
So then you just don't, right?
00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:28.480
The overwhelm is real, and it may be one of the biggest reasons people don't show up, maybe.
00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:33.120
And not because they don't care about certain things, but because they don't even know where to start.
00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:39.279
So then they just don't start because it's too overwhelming to even start, and then it just slips by, you know?
00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:46.000
But here's the thing: you don't have to be the most expert of experts to vote, okay?
00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:53.360
You're show up informed enough on the things that matter to you to make an educated response, right?
00:14:53.519 --> 00:15:02.320
I'm sure some people have very certain things that matter to them the most or that they prioritize, you know, certain topics or issues or stances.
00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:13.679
Just at least do basic research to know enough on where people stand on those important things, just to know enough on where you want to go.
00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:23.039
Because it can be a lot, at least if you are feeling extremely overwhelmed, and there's a lot of resources to get the info without it being so crazy.
00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:24.480
So here's some of them.
00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:26.480
One, vote.org.
00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:27.840
This one always pops up.
00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:37.360
I will even just Google voting in California for the midterm elections, and usually the easiest links I poked pop up is for vote.org.
00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:44.399
One of the easiest resources tells you everything you need to know based on your address and where you're located.
00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:48.000
So what's included in your specific ballot?
00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:57.679
Because you know, there's local stuff that's included, there's stuff that's included for everyone, and then the local stuff that will also be on the ballot that is determined by where you live.
00:15:57.840 --> 00:16:04.639
And this is where I found out where my early voting dates are and the locations are and the times that they're opening.
00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:25.600
So literally, I just Google like early voting in California, and then the first thing that pops up is probably on a vote.org link, and it just has you put in your zip code, and then it just gives you a chart of the venue, the address, the dates, and the times, and multiple options and how many miles they are away from you.
00:16:25.840 --> 00:16:28.799
So there, I just seen the one that's closest to me.
00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:31.279
I see between this date and this date.
00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:35.679
Okay, I'm free on that Wednesday at noon.
00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:36.879
So I'm gonna go then.
00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:39.279
And now I know I have it screenshot in my phone.
00:16:39.440 --> 00:16:41.759
So the week of, I have the info right there.
00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:50.879
I can plan it in my schedule on a day that I'm free and I'm going, and I'm getting it done ahead of election day, so that I'm not waiting in a long line.
00:16:51.039 --> 00:17:00.240
On a Tuesday, which I work in an industry that you know you don't get off for election day, and I work on Tuesdays, so I most likely would not have much time on Tuesdays.
00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:02.879
Tuesdays is a day I'm running around everywhere.
00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:04.160
So I already know.
00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:06.240
Vote.corr is a good one.
00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:11.119
Then there's one called Ballotpedia, like Wikipedia, but ballotpedia.
00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:16.480
Breaks down every candidate and measure in plain language.
00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:27.519
You know, in high school when you were trying to read Shakespeare or something, or like Spark Notes, and there was a version where it had the modern day English on the right side next to the Shakespeare version.
00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:30.079
I feel like that's similar here, okay?
00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:34.880
So that you're not getting lost on like in all the political jargon.
00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:47.519
I feel like here is where it breaks it down in easier, and I'm not saying dumb or whatever, because I need this literally easier terms to more like you know, everyday, not political expert people to understand.
00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:58.160
Just like back in high school when you got that book, No Fear Shakespeare, I think what it was called, where I had the English version written next to the Shakespeare version, so that you know what you're talking about.
00:17:58.319 --> 00:17:59.599
That's how I think of it.
00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:02.480
Um, and then obviously your state's official voter guide.
00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:05.279
I think these come in the mail, big thick envelope.
00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:07.920
I got mine, I have it sitting over there.
00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:12.000
Um, that'll be able to tell you too all your local stuff as well.
00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:31.519
And then if you want to ask someone you trust, someone that you trust, just on info, like I had my roommate to learn from, you know, or family, or if you want to discuss like light convo, you know, now it's definitely a little more crazy with convos because things have gotten so to the extreme.
00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:39.039
So, but if you have someone that you trust, um, that maybe you share similar values and you just want to be like, hey, so what's your plan?
00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:40.720
Oh, and then my plan is this.
00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:42.880
Oh my gosh, okay, thanks for letting me know.
00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:45.519
Or, hey, what do you know about this guy?
00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:51.759
Oh, I know this about this guy, you know, just like if you have someone you trust, that could be just like a good combo to have.
00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:56.480
And then you could also just take 10 minutes for each candidate to Google.
00:18:56.880 --> 00:19:05.759
It can tell you a lot, just quick Google stand on where they stand, or like Google their biggest stances per candidate.
00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:17.200
You know, just take a few minutes per candidate, get your basis at least, you know, set aside maybe one hour at some point before election day, just sit down and look some things up, you know?
00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:21.519
A little, a little, little research on your laptop prior.
00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:28.079
Um, and I'm gonna put links to some of these resources in the bio of this episode.
00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:30.880
So hopefully that makes it even easier.
00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:34.079
Just either click that link or copy and paste, okay?
00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:39.200
We're trying to make it easy breezy and not a spiraling situation.
00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:41.279
To the best of my ability, okay?
00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:46.400
Now, you may ask, why are midterms elections important?
00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:47.440
Why do they matter?
00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:51.359
I thought the big one is the four-year presidential one.
00:19:51.599 --> 00:19:53.519
I don't meh meh.
00:19:53.599 --> 00:19:53.920
Okay.
00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:55.440
Good question.
00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:59.920
Because you know, these are things you don't always learn, right?
00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:01.680
But you are always taught growing up.
00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:04.799
You have the every four year the president election.
00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:06.799
But midterms are very important.
00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:08.559
So let's get into why.
00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:10.480
In a simple way, okay?
00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:12.079
There's no shame in not knowing.
00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:15.279
So obviously, every four years we vote for the president.
00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:18.000
Everyone knows to show up for that one, okay?
00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:21.119
But in between, we got the midterm elections.
00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:27.519
And midterm elections are used to determine the next course of our dem democracy.
00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:33.519
Voters are given the opportunity to rebalance power and choose Congress.
00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:42.319
Choose the Congressmen, Congresswomen more closely aligned with the president's agenda or ones further from it.
00:20:42.640 --> 00:20:47.680
So it's t literally the opportunity to rebalance power.
00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:56.079
I think a time right now is when we're definitely feeling that our current president had made power very unbalanced.
00:20:56.319 --> 00:21:07.279
So this is our opportunity to try and regain power or whatever way you stand, rebalance it more closely aligned with a certain agenda.
00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:21.440
Because these elections are so closely tied into the timing of the four-year presidential term, they they're often seen as a meter of the president's performance and where we're at.
00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:28.000
It's a good determining factor and where we're at and where maybe the people want to go.
00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:34.400
They determine who controls Congress, which is the House of Representatives and the Senate.
00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:45.119
And that's very important because Congress Congress is the bodies that actually write and pass the laws that affect us on our everyday.
00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:48.960
They are the ones passing these laws, okay?
00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:54.319
So it's very important who is in and who makes up Congress.
00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:57.920
And that is what we're determining here, okay?
00:21:58.160 --> 00:22:03.279
So it all comes back very Circle, full circle, and very important.
00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:08.240
Okay, Congress is a determining the passing of laws.
00:22:08.559 --> 00:22:10.160
I am a woman.
00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:13.359
I want autonomy over my body.
00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:15.359
I want the respect for that.
00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:19.839
And unfortunately, um, in a lot of states, we have lost that, okay?
00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:25.920
These are very important things that get passed through Congress and laws.
00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:33.680
And yes, our current president may have ranked things, he set up certain things, his election, whatever.
00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:38.400
To our best of ability, we want to have control over these things.
00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:41.119
And this is our opportunity to do that, okay?
00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:50.079
So think of it pretty much the president proposes things, but then Congress decides whether they actually happen or not.
00:22:50.400 --> 00:22:54.960
So who can call who controls Congress is very important.
00:22:55.759 --> 00:23:01.279
Again, our current president just seems to abide by no rules, so whatever.
00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:10.240
But to our best of our ability, let's take the power here that this midterm election gives us to determine, okay?
00:23:10.640 --> 00:23:24.799
Also, in the midterm elections, like I mentioned, we vote local stuff, governors, state legislators, local officials, judges, um, and other other things, you know, just depending on your local stuff on where you live.
00:23:24.880 --> 00:23:27.839
So that's also very important as well.
00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:33.279
Because on a local term, you are actually affected day to day by those things.
00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:35.039
Um, we'll get more into that.
00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:46.400
But so hopefully that breaks down what the midterm elections are and why that is so important, and it's not just something to pass by.
00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:50.319
Our current ratio right now in the U.S.
00:23:50.480 --> 00:24:04.160
Senate, we have there's 100 seats total, 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats, um, two independents, and then the representatives, there's 435 total seats right now.
00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:11.920
218 are Republican, 214 Democrat, um, and then there's one independent and two vacancies.
00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:17.039
So, but just overall, just wanted to sh share the numbers where we're at right now.
00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:21.359
So, why do midterm elections probably get ignored?
00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:35.759
It is signific the turnout for midterm elections is significantly lower than the presidential elections, which means the people who do show up have a bigger amount of influence.
00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:40.960
Because less people are showing up, your vote is mattering even more so.
00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:42.559
Even more so.
00:24:43.119 --> 00:24:49.759
A lot of people feel like if they voted in the four-year presidential election, they're done for the next four years.
00:24:49.839 --> 00:24:52.160
They don't have to worry about anything else, and that's that.
00:24:52.319 --> 00:25:01.039
But that's actually leaving some of the most impactful elections on the table and aside without your voice in them.
00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:13.599
And local and state elections specifically, these things determine your local schools, housing policies, public safeties, health care, and certain things locally.
00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:20.480
And those are actually in your daily, day-to-day life, where you're living, in the districts you're living, and what is happening.
00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:28.000
So that is somewhat even very personal, very personal to you and your actual life and where you live.
00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:30.480
So that's also on the midterm elections.
00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:34.079
You know, these local elections also matter just as much.
00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:48.960
Your city council members, your school board, your state representatives, your local judges, these people make decisions that affect your neighborhood, your schools, your kids' schools, your community very directly, okay?
00:25:49.119 --> 00:25:53.279
And these races are often decided by just hundreds of people.
00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:57.039
So even less people are voting in them.
00:25:57.119 --> 00:26:00.799
So then again, your vote matters even more.
00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:05.279
And your individual vote carries so much more weight.
00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:20.480
A lot of big changes in people's lives happen at the state and local levels at the elections, especially ones with the lowest turnout, because then those few people that did show up, they are determining everything.
00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:28.319
And do you just want your neighbor Karen to determine everything for the whole neighborhood and the for the whole state?
00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:29.680
I don't think so.
00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:38.480
So you should show up because if the one or two Karen's are the only ones that do for the local stuff, then they're gonna have all the power in determining it all, okay?
00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:43.599
There are elections happening all the time, not just the four-year, okay?
00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:49.839
All the time elections happening that affect you so much, if not more.
00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:57.680
And if people aren't showing up for them, then the ones that do have all the impact.
00:26:57.920 --> 00:27:06.640
So it's important to get the most people showing up so then it is actually reflecting what the people want.
00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:07.839
You know what I mean?
00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:10.319
Okay, so early voting.
00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:16.880
You don't have to simply vote on that one day that they call election day.
00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:17.519
Okay.
00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:22.240
I think it's a lot easier to go to early voting, okay?
00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:25.039
So one, check if you are registered.
00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:28.319
I move a lot, I change addresses a lot.
00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:36.400
So I'm always having to check, hey, did I update my voter registry to reflect where I actually am living currently?
00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:38.559
So I've done this a lot, right?
00:27:39.119 --> 00:27:44.160
Again, vote.org lets you check your registration status so fast.
00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:49.759
Shows you the address that you're registered at, and if you need to change it, okay?
00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:56.720
Most states offer early voting, which means you do not have to wait for election day.
00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:59.680
You can go when it's convenient for you.
00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:04.319
Don't let people tell you you have to go this one day and wait enormous lines, okay?
00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:06.960
You can easily find your polling place.
00:28:07.200 --> 00:28:14.240
Again, vote.org, you put your zip code in and it lists it all out there for you based off your address.
00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:25.440
Find your place close by, select the date, you are free, have it ready, and then just bring your ID with you, and there you go.
00:28:25.599 --> 00:28:27.119
And it's super simple.
00:28:27.359 --> 00:28:32.640
There's also mail and voting, but I know there's an earlier end date for mail-in voting.
00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:40.160
So if you are gonna do that, definitely look up that deadline so that your mail-in vote doesn't go to waste.
00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:43.519
And then again, it doesn't count, okay?
00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:49.359
I think one of the biggest barriers, maybe for people, is the logistics in advance.
00:28:49.599 --> 00:28:54.400
And so many people, I think, just it comes up so fast.
00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:59.279
They know what's happening, but it comes up so fast, and then they're like, oh shit, I didn't make a plan.
00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:01.519
Shoot, my schedule's booked up.
00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:10.880
Shit, ah, oh, oh well, next time, you know, and then it's gone before they know it, and they're like, Oh, I meant to do that, but never got around to it.
00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:18.000
We can't be putting off this thing, like we like to procrastinate everything else in our lives for this month.
00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:22.079
Procrastinate doing your laundry, procrastinate, going to the grocery store.
00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:32.240
I don't know, whatever it is, procrastinate, whatever it is, but this is something to think about prior and plan for and not procrastinate.
00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:36.000
And then you vote early, and then it feels great.
00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:46.160
Okay, you get that little sticker, you show your little sticker off, yay, yay, happy, happy, you use your voice for something that I'm sure you care about.
00:29:46.400 --> 00:29:55.599
There's gotta be something that's affecting you, it's affecting all of us, and if it matters whatsoever, actually do something about it, right?
00:29:55.839 --> 00:29:56.160
Okay.
00:29:57.200 --> 00:30:01.119
And that brings me into the next little combo here.
00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:05.119
And I think especially right now, I mean, who knows?
00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:13.279
I've only been alive 28 years, but it feels like this is a really, really important time where things really, really matter.
00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:28.160
Okay, there's a lot of things happening in the world that seem like it's a burning down out there, and we have regressed in so many ways that seems unfathomable if you were to tell us 10 or 15 years ago, right?
00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:32.720
So it seems like one of these times where showing up is really, really important.
00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:33.680
That's why I'm doing this.
00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:37.680
I'm trying my best to give this info in a fun way, right?
00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:41.200
And I know a lot of you are feeling that too.
00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:51.279
Again, young women specifically, your voting is so powerful, and being knowledgeable and educated is so powerful.
00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:54.160
We couldn't vote for so many years.
00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:58.960
So please vote that we have because we have the right to do it now, okay?
00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:06.079
There was a time where we did not for so many years, and they had to fight so hard to allow us to vote.
00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:11.839
So please, please, please don't take that for granted and let it pass by you, okay?
00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:14.799
So much has happened.
00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:23.279
So many laws have been passed, so much regression regression has happened for women that I've seen, and it is horrifying.
00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:26.880
It is horrifying to think you don't have autonomy.
00:31:27.119 --> 00:31:28.240
Horrifying.
00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:29.599
So please.
00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:36.799
We are so underrepresented in every field, in all the fields, everywhere.
00:31:37.119 --> 00:31:38.319
Please show up.
00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:41.359
We can vote, so take advantage of that.
00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:53.359
A lot of things that these votes taking count for are decided by a much smaller margin where your vote genuinely does matter.
00:31:53.519 --> 00:32:02.880
And I know that's like what the campaign, the slogan, the my vote, your vote matters and doesn't matter, and it sounds so stupid and it feels like it doesn't.
00:32:03.119 --> 00:32:12.880
But if everyone had that mentality that doesn't matter, and how many people have that mentality don't show up and don't put their vote in, that would make a big difference.
00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:17.599
We've I feel like we've seen so many elections recently where it's so neck and neck.
00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:23.759
Imagine if you were the one who thought your vote didn't matter, but you went, or this or that, you know?
00:32:23.920 --> 00:32:28.880
Like there is no benefit in having that mindset, really.
00:32:29.119 --> 00:32:38.400
Even if let's say that it's true or whatever, the elections are getting rigged or whatever, having that mindset isn't gonna do anything about it.
00:32:38.559 --> 00:32:44.319
You'll just staying at home complaining about the state of the world and complaining that your vote doesn't matter.
00:32:44.880 --> 00:32:46.400
What is that to do?
00:32:46.799 --> 00:32:52.480
Versus recognizing that it does and going, or even if you believe that, go.
00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:58.240
Then if you think it doesn't matter, you might as well go and vote and at least prove that or something.
00:32:58.400 --> 00:32:59.279
You know what I mean?
00:32:59.440 --> 00:33:01.759
Like, I don't know.
00:33:01.920 --> 00:33:07.359
I just think that attitude is silly um and useless right now.
00:33:07.599 --> 00:33:08.799
So, period.
00:33:09.359 --> 00:33:10.799
Period, okay?
00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:15.440
You carry more weight than you think, and it would make a big difference.
00:33:17.119 --> 00:33:17.599
Mm-mm.
00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:19.119
Okay, anyway.
00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:29.680
Just think about the issues that matter to you and that you care about, and it should motivate you and make you amped up to go and at least want to do something about it, right?
00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:36.720
You can sit around all day, but you gotta put action into how you're feeling, okay?
00:33:37.440 --> 00:33:44.240
I don't know if staying at home really serves those issues that you may care about, okay?
00:33:44.640 --> 00:33:45.920
I want you to go.
00:33:46.079 --> 00:33:54.480
I think a lot of people care and have fuel in them, but caring without showing up is really a missed opportunity.
00:33:55.200 --> 00:33:55.519
Okay.
00:33:57.200 --> 00:33:57.519
Okay.
00:33:58.640 --> 00:34:03.200
And that's my episode today, and my spiel from me.
00:34:03.839 --> 00:34:14.639
Register if you haven't, find your polling place, set your time early, have a plan ready to go, and go.
00:34:15.280 --> 00:34:25.039
Be a friend, like my roommate was, have discussions or educate you can, make it a thing, because this is all a thing, okay?
00:34:25.199 --> 00:34:32.719
It's a thing and it's happening, and we have seen lots of impacts recently in the state of the world.
00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:35.119
So do something about it.
00:34:35.440 --> 00:34:41.360
I really, really hope I could talk about these things in a digestible way.
00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:43.360
That was my goal.
00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:54.719
So I really hope that I at least, you know, the basics in this episode, a quick resource to understand what is happening this November.
00:34:55.199 --> 00:34:55.519
Okay?
00:34:56.159 --> 00:35:02.719
Again, I'm going to put some of this stuff in the bio description of the episode.
00:35:03.360 --> 00:35:04.800
It's there for you.
00:35:05.039 --> 00:35:06.800
Share it with a friend.
00:35:07.760 --> 00:35:08.880
And please, yeah.
00:35:09.119 --> 00:35:10.800
Do what you can, use your voice.
00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:12.239
You know I love talking.
00:35:12.400 --> 00:35:13.599
You know I love yapping.
00:35:13.840 --> 00:35:15.840
You know I love using my voice.
00:35:16.639 --> 00:35:19.119
So it's your turn.
00:35:19.199 --> 00:35:20.239
It's our turn.
00:35:20.400 --> 00:35:25.039
And let's do something about the craziness that we have going on, okay?
00:35:25.840 --> 00:35:26.159
Okay.
00:35:27.360 --> 00:35:28.400
Are we here?
00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:29.360
We're still here.
00:35:29.519 --> 00:35:32.079
Are we still here at the end of this episode?
00:35:32.320 --> 00:35:33.440
I hope so.
00:35:34.000 --> 00:35:35.199
And yeah.
00:35:36.000 --> 00:35:37.280
That is it.
00:35:37.840 --> 00:35:39.440
Make me proud.
00:35:40.639 --> 00:35:42.400
And let me know your plan.
00:35:42.960 --> 00:35:45.280
Let me know if this is digestible for you.
00:35:45.440 --> 00:35:46.559
Please, please, please.
00:35:46.719 --> 00:35:53.679
I really, really, because I do know how it can be so difficult trying to educate yourself.
00:35:53.840 --> 00:36:04.559
I have been there and I've like read spent so much time reading things, and I'm like, all these words are not in my everyday vocabulary, so I have to have no idea what I'm reading, right?
00:36:04.960 --> 00:36:07.519
Yeah, it can be annoying and it can be frustrating.
00:36:07.599 --> 00:36:08.320
So I feel you.
00:36:08.480 --> 00:36:09.519
I'm here for you.
00:36:09.840 --> 00:36:10.800
I love ya.
00:36:11.360 --> 00:36:13.360
And I will see you next week.