Expressing the reasons why we need every person in our community to “show up” at the voting booth on Election Day this coming Tuesday seems almost ridiculous in light of the fact that we are being kept safe by our government in very concrete ways these days. If anyone needs any excuse to spend an extra five minutes heading to the voting booth, just look at a poster of a kidnapped Israeli being held in Gaza and/or any news article about antisemitism in America after October 7.

Our contributing editor Michael Feldstein wrote an article last year, “Why I Vote Every Election Day,” about why it’s important to make your voice heard in every election year regardless of even or odd years, presidential elections or not. “Local elections … have a major impact on our day-to-day lives,” he wrote. “There have been cases where a local election can be decided by less than 100 votes, and your vote can sometimes make a significant difference.

“Politicians listen to those who vote regularly. When you communicate your views to a politician, their staff will often check your voting record (they cannot see who you voted for, but they can definitely see if you voted). They are much more likely to take your comments more seriously if you have voted regularly than if you didn’t.

“A strong voter turnout in our Orthodox community helps build our reputation as a politically active force—and a group that should be listened to.”

With that in mind, please make every effort to get out to vote, and call a friend if you need a ride. Our lives depend on it!