Here’s A Bunch Of People Who Are Sort Of Depending On Your Vote This November

You may think your vote doesn’t matter, but to these people...it matters kind of A LOT.

Take a look — this is how many people are in the US and how many of those people are actually eligible to vote*. Not OK, right?

*based on 2012’s voter turnout percentage of 57.5%

Here are just a few groups of our neighbors, classmates, co-workers, and friends who can’t vote at all:

Immigrants

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This country was built by immigrants. Yet there are 22.4 million* immigrants who are not yet naturalized in this country, and NONE of them will be participating in this election — even though one candidate has made it the centerpiece of his campaign to deport 11 million of them if elected.

*not including children, as of 2014

Felons

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6.1 million Americans are prohibited from voting because of felony charges, 2.6 million* of which are people who have served their time and paid their debt to society. This number disproportionately affects black Americans, with 1 out of every 13 black adults disenfranchised. That’s around 2.2 million black citizens who can’t vote! Fortunately, there are some politicians already working hard on this issue.

*This statistic is based on 2012 numbers.

People of US Territories

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The people of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, US Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana, and Guam are all technically US citizens, and, although many of them can vote in the presidential primaries, they are prohibited from voting in the general election, when it matters most.

Children

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Keep in mind: When we vote in November, we’re voting for policies for the next four to eight years and beyond. Those who are under 18, roughly 22.9%* of the population, won’t have a say in this election, but they will have to live with the consequences. Vote with our youth in mind! Hillary Clinton supports teacher unions and has put forward a plan for free in-state tuition at public universities for families making under $125,000 annually.

*as of July 2015

Here are some people who can vote, but need your vote too:

The LGBT Community

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According to a recent Gallup poll, around 3.8% of adults in this country consider themselves lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, which isn’t quite enough votes to stop Mike Pence, who turned anti-gay discrimination into law as governor of Indiana, from becoming vice president.

Women

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In every presidential election since 1980, women have turned out to vote in greater numbers than men, but, in an election featuring a man who has repeatedly said disgraceful things about women and the first female presidential candidate who has worked tirelessly for women’s rights, we need all of our male allies to step up and stand with us.

Muslims

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Given Trump’s ever-changing proposed Muslim ban, Muslim voters may be more mobilized than ever, with a possible 300,000 new Muslim voters since 2012. Still, Muslims only make up around 1% of the total population, so we all need to vote to ensure discrimination loses in November.

People of Color

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With 34 of 50 states requiring voters to show some form of ID at the polls, voting has become harder, rather than easier, for millions of Americans. These laws disproportionately impact minorities and low-income Americans, including Latinos, who are one of the fastest growing groups of people in this country. Voting is a constitutional right, not a privilege, and it's up to us to fight to keep it that way by using our vote.

So even if you don’t think your vote matters, or that elections have any impact on your life, remember these people and how your vote could make a difference in their lives on Nov. 8. Visit More of This™ to learn more.

More of This™ is a trademark of Priorities USA Action and used herein by WOMEN VOTE! with its express permission.