Traditionally, many people in the United States don’t go out to vote during the Presidential Primary Elections for not considering them as important as the Final Election in November.
Primaries are even more significant than the Final Election because voters have more choices in each political party and depending on the outcome, your favorite candidate may well be left out. For the November elections you will have a choice of political parties and their nominees and unfortunately, many people vote by party affiliation without considering the candidate’s qualifications or track record.
For us Cuban-Americans this could be the most important election we have voted ever, considering that two of the candidates happen to be of Cuban descend. It is a matter of pride that all immigrants understand. They may not belong to the party of your choice, they might not be elected, but the fact that they are in the race for the most prestigious position of the most powerful nation in the world… well, we don’t think we have to say more.
This is also an opportunity especially for the Spanish-speaking citizens to be counted where it really matters: in the ballot boxes. We still hear comments from people who are surprised that there’s an election on Tuesday. Those of us who follow the pulse of our communities can appreciate the need for more information and civic education in both languages.
In Lawrence, particularly, it does not matter that we are large in numbers if we don’t exercise our obligation to vote.
That way, at least, your voice will be heard!
