With a pivotal election fast approaching, it’s more important than ever to be engaged. The future of the country is in the hands of voters, who will decide America’s direction on November 5.
No one knows that better than the former chair of the Democratic Caucus of the Colorado House of Representatives and local political legend Polly Baca. Ryland Scholes caught up with Baca in this month’s episode of the Bucket List Community News podcast to get her take on the current political climate.
Baca began her political career while studying at Colorado State University. Her passion for civil rights and equality led her on a path to intern for John F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign. Baca’s work with John and Robert Kennedy led to positions in the White House for three different administrations, as well as becoming Colorado’s first woman of color to be elected to the state Senate and vice chair of the National Democratic Party.
Leaders like Baca have committed their lives to bettering the United States and the state of Colorado, but it’s all for nothing if voters don’t show up on election day. “We have a responsibility [to vote],” Baca said. “We are so fortunate to live in a democracy, but we can only hang onto this very tenuous democracy if we get engaged and vote.”
According to Baca, one of the biggest hurdles to making our democracy the best it can be is the Electoral College. Baca has been a member of the Electoral College for the previous five presidential elections but vehemently opposes the institution.
“I want to speak out against it because we should have the popular vote,” Baca said. “We are smart enough as citizens and as people that we can elect our president like we elect everybody else through the popular vote.”
In 2016, Hillary Clinton infamously won the popular vote but lost the Electoral College. Even with the Electoral College as a speedbump, Baca thinks that Democratic nominee Kamala Harris will do what Clinton couldn’t: become the first woman to hold the highest office in America.
“Kamala Harris is the second woman to run for president, and I think she will do as well as Hillary [Clinton] did and get the popular vote again,” Baca said. “I really believe that.”
As a trailblazer for women of color in politics, Baca senses an opportunity to be a part of history. Voting for the first woman of color to have a presidential nomination is not something that Baca is taking for granted.
“It’s an exciting time because I want to say that I voted for the first woman of color as president of the United States, and she won,” said Baca. Even with all the excitement ahead of the election, Baca senses that this election feels different from the rest. As America feels increasingly more divided, the stakes soar even higher.
“I have been involved in every presidential election since 1960; I have never seen anything like this [election] ever,” said Baca. “I’ve never seen this kind of hate, anger and divisiveness ever. Politicians, regardless of party, have always been far more thoughtful of each other and able to talk to each other and disagree on issues, but not demean the other party or try to scare [the public].
The scare tactics employed by modern-day politics especially concern Baca, as she believes evoking such strong emotions ahead of an election is damaging.
“What bothers me the most is when [campaigns] try to scare you,” Baca said. “You don’t have to do that. Look for [candidates] that are positive and want to go forward; that have an idea of how to correct our problems. Stay away from those that are negative and try to frighten you.”
Outside of the presidential election, Baca is paying close attention to local and congressional elections. Every single office is important, according to Baca, so making sure you have a say in how your city and state are run is pivotal. If you want to learn more about your local politicians ahead of an election, Baca encourages you to go visit them at their office in city hall or the state capitol.
“Just go visit them,” Baca said. “Call and get to know your elected officials. Know who you want to vote for and please get engaged and vote for the presidential [election].”
Despite the very serious nature of this election, Baca issues a reminder that politics can be very fun and enjoyable. Fighting for what you believe in with like-minded individuals is something that Baca and many others take great pride in.
“Politics is fun,” said Baca. “Politics is my competitive game, it really is. It’s competition. You get in there and you support someone.”
