Tomorrow is Election Day in the U.S. I sent out a little reminder to vote in my monthly newsletter, and someone replied "I am proud to say I no longer vote." What?! I truly can't think of anything to be *less* proud of than not voting. I know it can feel hard to hold on to hope, and how easy it can be to slip into the mindset that you're only one person and your vote won't make a difference. But we can't give up or give in. Voting is how we send a message to leadership. Voting is part of a broader ecosystem that can lead to change. If you've not yet voted early in person or mailed in your ballot, get to it! Go vote tomorrow! The midterms are absolutely essential to how the U.S. moves forward--and I have to admit, I'm extremely anxious about the outcomes. Disabled people continue to experience significant barriers to exercising our right to vote. Campaign rhetoric (especially in the Fetterman vs. Oz race for Pennsylvania Governor) has been rife with ableism. It's been an all-around tough election cycle. It's important to remember as you vote that disability issues aren't niche issues. In fact, every issue is a disability issue because every issue impacts disabled people. Looking for more information to get educated? Check out the @revupcampaign Voting Issues Guide for insights on key disability issues: aapd.com/votingissues Human rights and human lives are on the line. [Image description: Dark teal background. At the top is a little checkmark in a box, a common symbol of voting. Text reads: “Voting makes a difference when human rights and human lives are on the line.” Below is a logo of a wheel encircled by text that reads “Words I Wheel By” and my handle, @EmilyLadau.]