After months of campaign ads, political endorsements, and community discourse, millions of Americans headed to the polls on Election Day to decide everything from the control of Congress to data centers and voting rules. Nationally, voter turnout in the midterm elections was record-breaking, with experts declaring it the second-highest rate in a midterm year since 1914, surpassed only by the 2018 midterms. Similarly, residents of Cuyahoga County turned out in droves, with voter participation up eight percentage points since 2022’s midterms, from 47% of eligible voters to 55%.
To everyone who voted last week, we sincerely THANK YOU for exercising your right and responsibility to make your voice heard. For nearly 160 years, YWCA Greater Cleveland has worked to promote voter access, education, and engagement for Cuyahoga County's most vulnerable communities.
Now, just over a week later, with nearly all votes tabulated and recorded, local and national headlines alike are focused on predicting impending legislative and policy changes as newly elected candidates are ushered in at the start of 2027. Whether your candidate won or lost, whether you are celebrating or disappointed, we must remember that our communities are bigger than any political party, any candidate, or any election. However we may feel individually about election results, consider the following as we move forward:
The close of this year’s midterms doesn’t mark an ending point: it marks a beginning. Now, the real work begins. Collectively, we have an opportunity to repair and rebuild and make real and lasting strides towards true unity.
With Election Day now behind us, it is time to use our collective energy, passion, and determination to ignite concrete actions that culminate in tangible results in affordability and opportunity for ALL community members. All families must have access to affordable quality health care, and all children deserve quality education that prepares them for workplaces where they can thrive and where their name, skin tone, or zip code doesn’t determine whether they advance.
Elected officials have equal responsibility for ALL constituents, regardless of how they voted. They must serve every neighborhood, every family, every senior citizen, every child, and every person in their district. Good leadership means listening to all people’s concerns and getting things done!
Clevelanders, your responsibility did not end when you walked out of the voting booth. Together, we must hold our leaders accountable, support what is right, and speak out against injustice. Now is the time to join forces to work together to nurture our community.