For our daughters.

Today I awoke rested for once after gifted a night off from work, to head to the polls on Mid-Term Election Day, today November 3rd, 2026. I thoughtfully chose the candidates for my state of Florida that I believe would have the people’s interest balanced with the overall health of our state. I read over the proposed legislation and proudly sprung to the poll scanner and attendant. She’s handed me a neat 250 year sticker and I felt accomplished to start the morning, having done my civic duty to exercise the freedoms such as this one, the right to vote, that I am afforded in the United States of America. The only election I have missed voting as an adult, was the presidential election of 2012. At the time, I was inpatient involuntarily, unable to cast my vote, though I wished I could have on that monumental moment in history. Voting, to me, is not just a right we are afforded because of the sacrifices of so many before our time, it is an inherent duty that we as the American people have to ensure that democracy remains and the freedoms that we all to easily take for granted, do not become something of the past. Democracy, our future, and our daughters rely on our example we demonstrate in this current political climate.

Today after voting, I saw many comments on social media, of apathy, of some even refusing to vote. While I can sympathize with their perspective, not voting is idiotic and only further spurns political distress on the party system. I’m sure there are those with circumstances that might prohibit them from voting today or kept them from mail in a ballot. Life happens. But to CHOOSE not to, is a death wish to democracy. I did not choose to be diagnosed with a serious mental illness. No one would choose SMI, cancer, MS, or Parkinson’s. They might choose how they live with the diagnosis. Which is very much their right. The beautiful thing about our country, is that it was founded on dissent. Those that do not vote have every right to choose this path, as Americans, they have the ability to make this choice. My opinion is then, if they are dissatisfied with the outcome, they can possibly take a lesson on the electoral system in our country and stay calm and softly grumble until the next election cycle.

To my two sweet daughters, to every daughter in the country and around the world the globe… I hope dear girls you see the importance of voting one day when your are 18. Take in various sources of information, ask questions, and form your own opinions. Never stop being inquisitive and always have that biting wit and tenacity with a tinge of teenage sarcasm you bring me daily. I love you and I am so proud of you both. To all the women and their daughters, vote, because your daughter’s rights depend on it.