Opinion: Why I continue to vote

As a first-generation immigrant woman, the right to vote was never something I took for granted. When I became a U.S. citizen, I was eager to participate in my very first election in 2004. It was a moment filled with significance, a culmination of my journey and a testament to the power of democracy. I remember standing in line with pride, believing that my ballot was not just my voice, but also the voice of women representing children, immigrants and the most vulnerable among us. For me, voting was part of democracy’s promise, a way to live out my faith and calling to be compassionate, inclusive and committed to the common good.

Back then, I carried such high hopes for what democracy in the U.S. could be. I saw myself as part of a tradition of radical women who believed in justice, dignity and love for all of humanity. These hopes, this vision of a better democracy, still burn within me, guiding my actions and shaping my beliefs.

Now, in 2025, those hopes have been deeply tested. The turbulence of our political climate, the attacks on immigrants, women and democracy itself, have shaken my belief in the system I once trusted. Yet even in this testing, I am reminded that democracy is not a finished project. It is an ongoing endeavor, a journey we must keep building, defending and reimagining together. And I am committed to this journey, to the very end.

My regional district in Riverside has a special vacancy election this August. Will I vote? Yes, my vote is not just a civic duty; it is an act of resistance, of love, and of faith in hopes of a future where the most vulnerable are seen, included, and protected.