A site I follow everyday re: election predictions and polling, is Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight. On it today, I saw this graphic that says a lot, and helps to drive home the importance of getting out and voting. This year especially, every vote matters, and for LGBTQ and supportive allies, we must vote to re-elect President Obama if we want to see our journey towards full civil rights continue. (But hey, if you want to turn the clock back to the ’40’s you can vote for that other guy.)

Now about 50% of my readers are in Pennsylvania, which ranks 8th on this list, but I have readers from every one of these states, so listen up everyone!

These states are the ones likely to make the difference because the lead by whichever candidate is ahead in them is very very small, and therefor, every additional vote can make a difference.  If you live in any state not on the list, your vote matters too, because counting on your vote assures that the candidate has the lead that they are currently showing. Bottom line: everyone get out and vote, and that means everyone!

One reason some people don’t vote is because they don’t want to vote for the loser. So, if they are afraid that their candidate might lose, they don’t vote. If you care about LGBTQ Rights and other Progressive issues, this year you can not allow that mentality to stop you! Your vote, especially in these few states will make the difference, and you my PA and OH readers especially, that means that the election s up to you and those you know.

Do this:

1) Get out and vote! Vote early if your state allows early voting.

2) Talk to everyone you know who benefits from or cares about LGBTQ Rights and Progressive causes. Help make sure they get out and vote.

3) Get involved in efforts to turn out the vote! Phone banking, door knocking, etc. Many people may already have made up their minds, but the point of the contact is to encourage them to get to the polls on election day.  If you get even, one person there, who may have skipped it, you have been successful!

4) Get involved in election protection efforts in your area. Generally this involves being a poll watcher, and being present to help anyone who is denied the right to vote. You can document that the issue happened, and help the person take whatever steps are possible to actually vote. If you help even one person who was being denied the right to vote, you have been a huge success!