Use Your Voice to Shape the Electoral Landscape

一世t’s an American tradition to come together to do good. We saw evidence of that in the nationwide volunteering in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday. We see it in 1,000+ people who gave just to Children First in support of families who lost their home and their loved ones in the Fairmount Fire.

We also value our right to vote; it is the essence of our democracy. Ninety-five percent of both Republicans and Democrats say it is important that people who are legally qualified to vote are able to cast a ballot, according to a June 2021 Pew Research Center poll.

Yet the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, named for the late Georgia congressman and civil rights icon, failed in part because Democratic Senators Manchin and Sinema wouldn’t budge on ending a procedural maneuver and clear the way for a vote.

But let’s not place all the blame on Manchin and Sinema. Fifty senators from the other side of the aisle, like PA’s Sen. Pat Toomey, put party loyalty above democracy, standing silently by as states make it harder for Americans, namely Black, Hispanic, and low-income people, to vote.

Nevertheless, we remain inspired by Congressman Lewis’ legacy of persistence. “Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic.”

Children First is already gearing up for the 2022 elections. We’ve been holding listening sessions to learn what parents, not political pundits, want their elected officials to do. We plan to make it possible for parents to use their voice and their vote to shape the political debate. Next week marks the beginning of the campaign to recruit 10,000 child care voters. Be among our child care voters by contacting Kyle McMillen at kylem@childrenfirstpa.org. 

We want to ready these parents by the Primary Election in May to cast their votes for candidates that meet their needs. We won’t be making endorsements; parents will be demanding that candidates speak to the issues that parents care about.

There are more than a dozen candidates running to replace Sen. Pat Toomey, and at least that many running for governor. Reach out to them now and let them know where you stand on issues like children’s health, public education funding, access to affordable, quality early childhood education, voting rights, etc. 

Influencing candidates before, during, and after Election Day is a powerful way that we can all contribute to doing something good.