January 2022

January 6 has passed, but we can’t move on without completing the investigations, prosecuting the perpetrators, and changing our laws and practices to try to prevent further erosion of our democratic system and to protect the integrity of the voting process.

I think a lot about what I can do, as one person, to support the needed efforts. I am fortunate to live in California where we have good electoral systems in place. Our independent redistricting commission did the hard work of drawing new lines and from all appearances, it seems to have been a fair process. I applied to be on the commission but was not selected. I believe the selection committee make good choices and I was pleased that someone I know from my community was selected. She is a person of integrity and it was hard work she signed up to do. I’m grateful to her and the others on the team, and relieved, to be honest, that it wasn’t me.

But there are things I can do. Voting is first and foremost. I also work for the Registrar of Voters for every election so I can be one of the people actually collecting ballots and interacting with voters to assure them that the system works. I give money to organizations that are working here and in other states to encourage good candidates to run for office, and who are organizing to help voters exercise their precious right. I write postcards to voters to help encourage active engagement in every single election at all levels. They all matter.

What I realize is that I have to move on from my shock and dismay at what has happened in the past – I can’t change that. What I can do is continue to shed a light on truth, and help everyone to understand that the government is not “they,” not some outside force. It is US. We hold the power and we need to learn to use it for good. People in government got there because we either did or did not vote, allowing people to be elected who either work for us, or who sow distrust and actively work to undermine institutions of government. We have the power to change who is in office and who is making decisions on our behalf.

Please become an advocate for voter education and engagement. It’s the best way I know to move on constructively, learning from our past successes and failures.