Gearing Up for Election Day

A week away from the US Presidential Election, I’m hearing from a lot of people who are experiencing a wide range of emotions, and the wide ranging energy is palpable.

A week away from the US Presidential Election, I’m hearing from a lot of people who are experiencing a wide range of emotions, and the wide ranging energy is palpable. 

Let me tell you - I am feeling optimistic.

In almost all situations, I am optimistic. That’s not to say that sometimes I don’t feel the dread creep in, or some days I don’t feel the weight of overwhelm. I absolutely do. Instead, it’s what I choose to do with that dread and overwhelm that keeps me going. 

Beyond her technical experience as a prosecutor and career politician, Kamala Harris has emotional range. Her facial expressions, tone of voice, and modulated pace of communicating indicate an impressive range of emotions including amusement, conviction, disgust, intensity, joy, safety, compassion, hope, disbelief, contempt, and even equanimity. Unlike her opponent, I have not spotted fear or incongruence in her demeanor. 

Great leaders offer emotional range even as they remain laser focused on a single outcome. In her case, the outcome is winning. And the choice is clear: this time, at the top of the ticket there’s only one person who really demonstrates the ability to lead us forward. 

Let’s not negate the fact that down ballot there are just as many important races in this election. Every level of government and every level of leadership in our communities should reflect the values we hold dear. In some instances and in some offices, down ballot races may have an even bigger direct impact on communities and our day to day lives. 

Here where I live in Texas, with one week of early voting already under our belts, we’ve seen record turnout in multiple counties. That’s how it’s done. We show up, and we make sure those in our circles show up. 

I truly believe that we are ready to turn a page. Let’s show up for ourselves, for our families, for our communities, for each other. 

Here’s one way that I encouraged my friends to vote: I looked them up on www.didmyfriendsvote.org! Then, I followed up with each one to say either, “I’m so glad you’ve voted in every General Election since 2016! I know you’re going to vote again this year - what’s your plan?” or, “I noticed you missed your opportunity (and your right to exercise) to vote in 2020 and/or 2016. What’s your plan to vote this year? I’m happy to drive you to the polls and grab a taco afterwards!”

I remain optimistic. I predict that Kamala Harris will win in a landslide. I have theories and stories and narratives (as usual) that have led me to this conclusion, but honestly I don’t know any more or have any additional access to information than the average voter or the general public.

But I have hope, and I have optimism. And I know many others who do, too. 

Let’s do this.