A letter to the editor from the Fluvanna branch of the NAACP was inadvertently left out of this week’s paper.

Make Your Voice Heard – Vote! 

Voting, the cornerstone of our democracy, is a cherished right many fought to secure. In the words of the late Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis, “We cannot afford to let democracy slip away. Don’t take this right for granted. Don’t squander it. Keep building. A vote is your voice being heard.”

We must make our voices heard in this election. The stakes are too high to ignore. 

Our rights are at stake. Rights secured long ago are under attack – voting rights, reproductive rights, immigrants’ rights, and marriage rights. We need elected leaders committed to defending our rights. 

Our economic security is at stake. The cost of everything we need to survive and thrive – rent, groceries, gas, etc. – has increased while wages have stayed the same. As prices for goods and services rise, we need elected officials to champion policies that lower costs and ensure everyone can earn a livable wage. 

Our safety is at stake. Firearms are the leading cause of death for American children and teens. Gun violence is a concern for every age group and tax bracket. We need elected leaders who support commonsense solutions that keep us safe.  

Our environment and climate policy are at stake. Rising global temperatures are causing more frequent severe weather events, destroying homes, businesses, and entire communities’ health and economic well-being. This election will shape our environmental trajectory for decades to come. We need elected leaders who will prioritize science and support equitable climate policies. 

Consider all that’s at stake in this election. Our future is on the ballot, and our vote is our most powerful tool to shape the future. Don’t take your right to vote for granted. Don’t let democracy slip away. Vote for leaders who will defend our democracy, protect our rights, and secure a healthy and equitable future. 

Let’s ensure our voices are heard in this pivotal election. We’re voting not just for ourselves but also for our families, our freedoms, and our future! Joe Creasy, Fluvanna Branch NAACP

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