There’s No Time Like the Present to Get Involved
Image description: A blurry photo of a fat, dark-skinned person in a striped sweater smiling and holding their hand out toward the camera. On their finger is a sticker that says “I Voted” which is sharply in-focus.
By Tegan Lecheler, Board Member & Legislative Advocacy Chair
You may have heard whispers of late that there’s an election coming up. I’m sure this news is being delivered with a side of shock and awe, especially considering how dramatic and unprecedented this 2024 election cycle has been. You’ve certainly been bombarded with attack ads, Instagram lives, and Facebook posts from your uncle about this election season, and if you’re anything like me, either you or someone in your close circle has asked everyone they’ve met over the past five months whether or not they’re registered to vote. This year, more people are considering abstaining from voting than ever before, and believe me, I get it. You may or may not be inspired by your options at the federal level and that may or may not drive you to the polls on election day. Again, I hear you, but before you completely discount voting at all, I want to remind you of two things.
Number One: There’s More Than One Election Happening
Mainstream political discourse would have you convinced that there is only one position up for re-election on November 3rd, but I’m here to assure you that local and state elections are still very much happening. Sure, the president is powerful, but mayors, city councilors, school boards, and other local electeds make decisions that have much more tangible impacts on your day to day life. Homelessness in your city? That's a local government decision. The textbooks kids are reading in the schools? Local government decision. The trash on the streets? You guessed it– that’s up to your local electeds. Whether or not you fill out your entire ballot is up to you, but if you aren’t interested in casting a vote for certain offices, you might at least consider voting in your local elections. These elections, in particular, can be decided by just a few votes, so your participation can actually make a huge impact on how your city is run.
And, of course, state and local elections can have a direct impact on our daily lives as fat people specifically. Public health policies, including programs that stigmatize fat people, can be shaped by city, county, and state decisions. Plus, as the Campaign for Size Freedom continues to support anti-discrimination laws to protect fat people under the law, we need senators, representatives, assembly members, and city councilors to sponsor and support these bills.
Number Two: You’re Voting For a Lot of Things You Might Not Know About
If you do decide to vote in the presidential election, however, it’s important to know what you’re voting for. There’s so much going on in our lives that it can be hard to find time to research exactly what a president does, but like hiring for any job, you want to know what the job requirements are before you cast your vote so that you’re choosing the person who can fulfill those duties the best. The president can easily seem like someone who just acts as the face of the nation at events and takes photos with fancy people from other countries, and that is part of it. But they actually have a lot of power, especially in this election. Some things to know as you consider whether to vote and / or who to vote for:
Supreme Court: There will likely be some open spots on the Supreme Court soon, which means that the president will get to nominate new Justices to fill those roles for the rest of their life making enormous decisions about the legality of different policies and behaviors in our nation.
Tax Laws: Donald Trump’s tax laws that he instituted in 2017 are still in effect, and will expire in 2025. Whoever the next president is will get to set the federal tax code, which determines who gets tax cuts and what corporations pay into our tax system.
Bill Passage: The president plays a huge role in which bills get passed. Ultimately, they don't vote on the passage, but they are a very influential figure who can sway their party to vote one way or another. Whether National Parks remain publicly owned, access to birth control, access to IVF, and other hot topics will likely be decided by this election, and if you feel strongly about any of these issues, voting is one way to get involved.
The Military: The president is the commander of the military, meaning that if we are at war, to what extent, and with who is up to them.
Crisis Response: When our world or nation are in crisis, the president is the person we look to to put together a plan for moving forward. During COVID, for example, the White House played a huge role in the design and the implementation of the American Rescue Plan that helped us avoid widespread recession and distributed COVID tests free of charge during the peak of the crisis.
The president is more than just the face of this country– they have pretty significant power over the money in your pocket and your access to services. Of course, voting isn’t going to solve all our problems, and we certainly won’t wake up in a perfect world regardless of who wins in November, but it is one small part of contributing to the world you want to live in. If you haven’t, check your registration, find your polling place, and make sure you have a plan to vote! Absentee ballots are available in some states, so you have the option to vote early and remotely if you prefer. Remember– you are legally entitled to time off from work to vote (which may serve as alternative motivation) and it is illegal for anyone to block your access to the polls.
Again, voting isn’t everything, but it is something, and in this world, we need all the help we can get. Once your vote is cast, check out this Bucket List for Involved Citizens and consider checking off an item or two. Your community needs you, and there’s no time like the present to start getting involved.
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Editor’s note: NAAFA’s Advocacy Committee supports the Campaign for Size Freedom and other legislative and public policy-related projects. Interested in volunteering? Fill out our volunteer form and be sure to mention your political experience or interest!
