Every vote matters
27 November 2024
From an email sent by the Jane Fonda Climate PAC. Note that the vote totals have changed a little since her email.
Some people might tell you your vote doesn’t matter at all, or it only matters if you live in a “swing state.” Here’s why they’re wrong.
In this year’s elections, some of the most consequential victories for climate action were decided by the thinnest of margins. We want to highlight five of our endorsed champions who proved that every single vote matters — and we hope you’ll feel as inspired as we do.
In Nebraska, Ashlei Spivey made history. She secured her Senate seat in District 13 by only 150 votes, and will become the first Black woman to serve in the legislature since 2016.
In California, Marcus Bush’s victory was razor-thin. By just 254 votes, he won his seat on the National City Council in District 4.
In New Mexico, Carrie Hamblen’s re-election in Senate District 38 came down to just 298 votes.
Just 647 votes decided Charlotte Little’s re-election in New Mexico’s House District 68.
In Michigan, Reggie Miller won re-election in House District 31 with 698 votes.
. . .
So, the next time someone tells you voting doesn’t matter, tell them about Ashlei, Marcus, Carrie, Charlotte and Reggie.
My father, Larry Pernick, of blessed memory, liked to tell this story about his fellow County Commissioner, Dennis Aaron of Oak Park, Michigan. In 1972, Mr. Aaron lost his election by 1 vote. The next day, one of Denny’s neighbors came up to him and said, “Denny, I was going to vote yesterday but got tied up. How did you do?”
In Ann Arbor in 1977, the mayoral election was also decided by 1 vote.
The next State and Federal elections are in August 2026 for the primary. Every vote matters.
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