With the U.S. presidential election approaching in just four short days, there are many important issues to consider before hitting the polls on Tuesday. The “youth vote” (voters ages 18 to 24) couldn’t matter more this year. Politico.com published an article today stating that the younger voter demographic “has the potential to make its most significant impact in the history of presidential elections” this year.

For lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, there is a lot at stake during this election. Five states – Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut and Florida - will have anti-gay measures on their ballots this year. It is so important for equality-minded Americans to stand up against unfair, discriminatory measures on November 4.

The Huffington Post published an article by John Koch yesterday about why it is important for straight parents to take a strong stand against California’s Proposition 8. Proposition 8 would limit same-sex couples’ right to marry in California by amending the state Constitution to state that “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” We hope you’ll encourage your parents, family members and friends to stand up against unfair initiatives at the polls on Tuesday!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN from The Trevor Project, and HAPPY VOTING on November 4!