Fellow NFTYites,

It is important for you to understand something about this special Elections 06 section you are about to read. This election guide is likely one of the only in-depth publications about the upcoming elections that you will read that is exclusively written by people who will not be voting in this election. Why is this remarkable? Why should you value the research they have done on the issues of Elections 06? I will try to be brief in telling you, and then allow you to read these articles and form your own opinions.

I am constantly impressed by the level of passion and understanding NFTYites have regarding the issues that are currently on the forefront of American and Canadian politics. Here, NFTYites take on issues such as gay marriage, the environment, school taxes, political scandals, the potential gender shift in the leadership of the House of Representatives – all of this along with the nuances of Canadian politics. You should take care that in reading these, you remember that those who cannot vote have an even greater stake in the outcomes of elections. When you exist as a part of society that has little direct control over who gets elected, it is all the more important to remain politically informed and active because you must rely on your voices to see change made for good.

Many politicians are looking to constituents who can provide money or votes. But when you have neither, you are not a demographic that will ever be the subject of a major poll of public opinion. You must therefore make yourselves known and reach out to people. That is what these dynamic writers are doing here, and hopefully voters and non-voters alike, will read their amazing compilation of work.

B’tikvah, with hope,