Officials in Republican states have waged legal battles and other efforts to thwart abortion ballot measures or to influence their language. Florida stands out.
Politics
Liberation, Family Style: Latina Voters Advance the Fight for our Freedoms
Solidarity has always been at the heart of Latina and Chicana liberation movements. Its thread binds the spirit of our community’s diversity, uniting us in pursuit of a democracy where all individuals and their families can lead safe, healthy, self-determined lives.
As men of color find their corner in the fight for abortion, and recent survey findings show that most Latinos support abortion access, families can continue fostering understanding around the importance of reproductive freedom. These conversations help dismantle stigma, encourage empathy, and promote a culture of respect for one’s own choices.
Voter Guide: Ranked-Choice Voting Ballot Measures in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, D.C., Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada and Oregon
Advances in women’s representation in public office have occurred despite discriminatory laws, practices and systems designed to favor wealthy men. This year brings renewed optimism about moving closer to achieving gender parity by reforming systems to remove barriers so more women can run for office. Ranked-choice voting (RCV) offers a promising solution. The RepresentWomen Voters Guide is your essential resource for informed and impactful voting, especially on reforms like RCV.
RepresentWomen supports: Washington, D.C., Initiative 83; Oregon, Measure 117; Colorado, Proposition 131; Idaho, Proposition 1; Nevada, Question 3; and Montana, CI-126 and CI-127.
RepresentWomen opposes: Arizona, Proposition 133; and Alaska, Ballot Measure 2.
Seven Young Activists Working at the Intersection of Environmental and Racial Justice
In this intense moment in the fight against racial injustice and the COVID-19 crisis, we can’t separate the fight for racial equity from the fight against climate change, and we must look at environmental justice as an anti-racist act. Leah Thomas, an intersectional environmental activist and eco-communicator, defines intersectional environmentalism as “an inclusive version of environmentalism that advocates for both the protection of people and the planet.”
Find out more about Thomas and six other young activists whose work prioritizes an intersectional lens and links environmental and racial justice.
(This essay is part of a Women & Democracy multimedia package focused on Gen Z and student voters. The future envisioned by young leaders is bright—it’s built on reproductive rights, bodily autonomy, sustainability, freedom from violence and economic opportunity. Explore essays, a brand-new podcast, videos and more from some of your most loved [or soon to be!] influencers and writers, brought to you by Ms., DoSomething, the nonprofit that helps make volunteerism “cool,” and The Anthem Awards, the social impact arm of The Webbys.)
‘Gen Z Is Ready to Act’: Ms. Launches New Podcast ‘The Z Factor’ Uplifting Youth Voices
This week, Ms. magazine launched a brand-new limited series podcast, The Z Factor: Gen Z’s Voice and Vote.
I’m Anoushka Chander—a senior at Harvard, an activist and host of The Z Factor. My generation, Gen Z, grew up amid a global pandemic, rapid climate change, rampant gun violence, democratic backsliding, and movements for women’s rights and racial justice. We were born between the mid 1990s and early 2010s, so we are between the ages of 12 and 27. As we reach the cusp of adulthood, many young people are wondering: What comes next?
In the opening episode, I welcome Anil Cacodcar, student chair of the Harvard Public Opinion Project, which conducts the leading biannual poll of young Americans. In the episode, we discuss the role of social media in the 2024 election, how youth voter enthusiasm has skyrocketed, and youth concerns about finding affordable housing and a fair-paying job in this economy.
Care Policies Can Help Win Elections. Elections Can Help Win Care Policies.
The issues of “abortion” and “care” are highly intertwined and reinforced in voters’ minds. For many women, anger over the war on their fundamental right to control their own bodies is compounded by their inability to care for their families in the way they know is best.
Research also shows that for swing voters—especially men under 55, white men, and non-conservative Independents and Republicans—are more likely to switch their vote to a candidate who supports abortion rights and care investments, more than support for abortion alone.
It’s the Season of the Witch. No, Not Halloween—Election Day!
The persecution of witches has never been about magic, it’s always been about punishing (mostly) women who do not conform to patriarchal standards. It’s as true today as it was in 1692.
Are you a witch? If you wear trousers, can read, and want control over your own body and money, you bet your pointy-hat you are. As you prepare for this scary season, don’t despair—use your magic power. In 2024, don’t cast a spell, cast a vote.
For Women to Have Real Political Power, We Need Quotas
Since 1789, only six women have occupied a seat on the Supreme Court of the United States, one of the most crucial institutions for justice in this country; and in the last 237 years, only 60 women have held a seat in the U.S. Senate.
In order to achieve true parity, the United States needs to implement affirmative actions—gender quotas established by law. This will ensure that women are selected, appointed and supported by political platforms. Strategically speaking, these quotas would ensure that women rise to the same level of political opportunities as men.
Some of the Hardest Questions Kamala Harris Has Been Answering Lately, ICYMI
Two weeks before the election, with early voting already ongoing in a majority of U.S. states, Vice President Kamala Harris is making her way through interviews, explaining her positions and taking tough questions on her validity as a candidate, abortion rights, the Supreme Court and the preservation of democracy.
We have listened and read through five of these tough interviews—Alex Cooper’s podcast Call Her Daddy; Charlamagne Tha God’s The Breakfast Club podcast; the Univision Town Hall; a Fox News interview with Bret Baier; and Howard Stern’s show—so you don’t have to.
Here are some of the toughest questions she faced, and her frank answers, in her own words.
Creators and Media Educating, Activating and Organizing Gen Z in 2024
We’ve rounded up some incredible content creators and media outlets that are leading the charge and are educating, activating and organizing young voters ahead of the election.
(This essay is part of a Women & Democracy multimedia package focused on Gen Z and student voters. The future envisioned by young leaders is bright—it’s built on reproductive rights, bodily autonomy, sustainability, freedom from violence and economic opportunity. Explore essays, a brand-new podcast, videos and more from some of your most loved [or soon to be!] influencers and writers, brought to you by Ms., DoSomething, the nonprofit that helps make volunteerism “cool,” and The Anthem Awards, the social impact arm of The Webbys.)