Voting is an opportunity

Rabbi Yitzhak taught that “A ruler is not to be appointed unless the community is first consulted” (Babylonian Talmud Berachot 55a). One of the most essential rights that we have as Americans is our right to vote. It is something we cannot take for granted.

For more than 80 years, American Jews voted in overwhelming numbers. Historically, around 90% of all eligible Jews voted in federal and local elections, an action that magnified our role in American political life. When we vote, we are able to declare our values, protect our interests and defend the rights of all Americans.

This fall, we will have the opportunity once again to share our voice on important local and state elections.  In Rhode Island, the General Elections will be Tuesday, Nov. 6. You must be registered to vote by Oct. 7.

Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea passed Automatic Voter Registration in 2017. This means that, if eligible, you will automatically be registered to vote when you interact with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

If you do not interact with the DMV, you will still need to register to vote online by visiting: https://vote.sos.ri.gov/.

If you would like help in registering to vote, please come to the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, on Super Sunday, Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. This year volunteers will offer voter registration help to those who need it.

Super Sunday, this year being chaired by Aliza and Will Krieger, is an annual day of coming together as a community to help raise money for the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island’s vital programs and services that help grow and sustain Jewish Rhode Island. .

If you have any questions about registering to vote or the upcoming local and state elections, please contact director of community relations Stephanie Hague at shague@jewishallianceri.org.