Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Our children should learn the general framework of their government and then they should know where they come in contact with the government, where it touches their daily lives and where their influence is exerted on the government. It must not be a distant thing, someone else's business, but they must see how every cog in the wheel of a democracy is important and bears its share of responsibility for the smooth running of the entire machine."

Voting is one of the most tangible ways we contribute to the democratic process, ensuring that the wheels of democracy keep turning. I vividly remember my first presidential election in 2000, when George W. Bush and Al Gore faced off. As an absentee voter studying political science in Madrid, I, along with my fellow students, mailed in our ballots with a profound sense of civic duty. We felt a connection to the process, knowing that our votes would play a role in shaping our nation’s future.

On election night, we gathered in a hotel ballroom, eager yet anxious, only to find ourselves awaiting results that seemed to never come. Each day, we packed into the computer lab, eagerly refreshing the New York Times on a sluggish Internet connection. Over the next month, we were immersed in the complexities of the electoral process: the perils of early state calls, the unreliability of exit polls, the painstaking nature of hand-counting ballots, and the nuances of both paper and electronic voting systems. We learned firsthand how a margin of just 537 votes could become a decisive factor, and how the Supreme Court’s decisions could ultimately determine the outcome of an election.

One moment stood out starkly during this period. My political economy professor, who had once taught Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris, shared Harris’ excitement over halting the Florida recount. This revelation underscored the far-reaching impact of elections and the critical role every elected official plays, not just those at the national level.

Witnessing this historic and contentious election unfold, and seeing the Supreme Court’s ultimate intervention, deepened my resolve to support free and fair elections. This experience drove me to become a poll watcher and volunteer on an election law hotline. My commitment to democracy extended further when I became a parent. Now, I bring my children with me to the polls, allowing them to witness the democratic process up close. Though they may not remember the old lever machines or be tall enough to see the privacy booth, they proudly wear “Future Voter” stickers and observe the significance of each vote.

Through these experiences, I aim to instill in my children the values of civic duty and the crucial role of every individual vote. They see me cast my ballot and volunteer as a poll worker, understanding that upholding our democracy requires dedication—even if it means I leave before they wake in the morning and return after they’ve gone to bed to ensure the ballots are counted.

This November presents another opportunity to ensure the continued smooth operation of our democratic machine. I invite you to join me in this vital endeavor. Let’s exercise our influence on the government and embrace our responsibility to keep democracy vibrant and strong. It’s not someone else’s business—it’s ours.

Access the LEE Voting HUB today to ensure you are registered to vote and take steps to become an informed voter.

About Christine Green

Christine leads the Legal and Compliance team, responsible for compliance and legal support across all of LEE’s work and affiliated entities.  Before joining LEE as the organization’s first full-time general counsel, Christine served on the Teach For America legal affairs team counseling the organization on tax-exempt organization law, contracts, lobbying, and compliance.  Prior to Teach For America, she served as the first general counsel at Victory Schools. 

Christine began her career as a Teach For America corps member, teaching third grade in the South Bronx. Christine serves her community as a member of the Association of Corporate Counsel NYC Chapter’s Women & Gender Committee and as an officer of her children’s public school PTA.

Christine holds an AB from the University of Georgia, an MSEd from Bank Street College of Education, and a JD from the Villanova University School of Law.