Dear reader,
Have you made your plan to vote? Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
My earliest election memory was watching a presidential debate on cable, No. 2 pencil in hand carving my family’s candidate of choice into my Dora the Explorer placemat. I remember in the following weeks, we ran mock elections in my elementary school, with the winner announced over the intercom.
Those early memories were my first introduction to politics and what democracy could mean. And though I honestly don’t recall how much I actually knew about the candidates besides “we like this one,” my interest in learning more about our systems grew in college.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed learning how to use my skills as a journalist to inform others about politics, too.
When it came time for me to vote for real, I was quick to get my registration squared away. I was the one reminding my family members of deadlines. I was volunteering to run exit polls at the campus voting location for The Razorback Yearbook in 2020. I scooped up the data angle for The Arkansas Traveler’s election print edition in 2024.
Since moving back to Texas, I’ve wanted to continue to find ways to learn more about civics and democracy outside of college.
Over the summer, I participated in Democracy House’s Young Leaders Summer Institute. The nonpartisan program helped me to connect with peers that are working to improve civics education and political participation across the world.
It also gave me another spark to hone in on what I can do at the Oak Cliff Advocate, whether that’s tuning in to the late-running council meeting to write the article ASAP or keeping up with voter registration updates that affect all of Dallas County.
And it definitely inspired me to theme this November edition on democracy.
I hope you enjoy it. And if you haven’t, talk with someone you love to get more people to the polls.
Victoria Hernandez
Oak Cliff Advocate editor
