I read somewhere that “Voting is the cornerstone of democracy, but sadly far too FEW people vote.” For the past three decades voters have been disproportionately of higher income, older or more partisan in their interests. How would our world here in Orange be different if everyone participated?

Did you know that voter participation is a LEARNED ACTIVITY? New and old voters need help finding their poll, a good number to call for help and learning of their voter options as well as understanding the impact of the election and the issues they care about.

There are several communities throughout the City of Orange that remain unrepresented or underrepresented in the democratic process and often times these areas face significant barriers to voting – It is these people who are least likely to understand the process that we serve.

Serving in a public office is a thankless job, however without a good servant seated at the helm – we are all doomed to be the products of “business as usual.” OUR City needs more transparency in everything that they do; we need to create economic opportunities that extend to all of our neighborhoods. We need to have a City that has more Youth Opportunities, Economic Development and Job Creations. What about a Community Preservation Act? Where does the accountability of the City as a whole come into play?

There is so much that this City can do to better the lives of its citizens and give the youth something else to think about to STAY here instead of leaving and never returning. Please get OUT and VOTE!

Annette Pernell

Orange