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I heard a 48-year-old White woman say recently that she had never voted and I heard a 42-year-old African-American man say the same thing. In fact, I've been amazed at the number of people -- young and old -- I've heard say they don't know if they'll vote this year because their vote won't count. My blunt response to those who don't know if they'll vote on November 2nd is to wake up, get up, and go vote. Your job, your health care, your child's education and safety, and the Black community's and nation's deepest values and future are at stake. There has not been a more dangerous time in our nation's history. In this century's defining election year, everybody has to make a difference at the voting booth. Only 59 percent of all voting-age citizens, 57 percent of Black citizens, 45 percent of Latino citizens, 61 percent of women, and 36 percent of young people between 18 and 24 registered and voted in the last presidential election. Even fewer voted in the last congressional elections. Not voting lets our country down, and lets our children down. [more

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