Why vote?
Why is it so important for trans people and our allies to vote? Because voting is the floor of civic engagement, not the ceiling. There’s so much we can do to improve our communities – and voting is just one big way to make our voices heard.
In the last few years, state legislatures and local governments have wielded enormous power to harm trans people. Your local elections are a crucial part of what determines whether trans people are safe and can access the healthcare we need to thrive!
We’ve also seen states and cities take action to protect our trans community, from Minnesota to California. In Kansas, activists just worked tirelessly to mobilize trans people and our allies to defeat a dangerous attempt to ban our healthcare. Your voice matters! When we take action, we can protect our communities against anti-trans extremists and change our lives for the better.
When we are brave even in the face of extremists who are trying to force us backwards, we win. When we band together, we win. Make sure you’re ready to cast your vote!
Know Your Rights
Remember, you have the right to vote regardless of your gender or your appearance. Even if your ID doesn’t match your gender identity, that should never affect your right to cast a ballot. But with increasingly strict and harmful voter ID laws, trans people may face barriers— whether due to difficulties in obtaining a correct ID, election officials misunderstanding the law, or anti-trans bias.
As the fight against restrictive voter ID and other voter suppression laws continues, knowing your rights can help avoid or solve problems at the polls.
About
A project of Advocates for Transgender Equality (A4TE), TRANSform the VOTE is a nationwide movement of transgender people and allies transforming the nation by making our voices heard at the ballot box. Transhealth is proud to be a part of this campaign.