Long Beach resident and statewide Democratic Party leader Silissa Uriarte Smith will be one of 55 Californians to officially cast their electoral college votes for Barack Obama today. Here, she explains being selected for the honor, and the history behind her choice for President.
As I strolled along Columbia, Missouri’s downtown in early October I got a call from a staff member of my Congresswoman asking me if I had plans for December 15th. Off the top of my (jet-lagged) head, I said I didn’t think so. She then asked me if I would like to be a California Democratic Elector, if Barack Obama won the upcoming election; I replied promptly – Yes!
That was night of the first presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain. It was somehow quite fitting that I was in Columbia, as just a little over 10 years prior I had graduated from Stephens College – where I learned about the Electoral College and all of its elusiveness and privilege from my mentor and friend Dr. Donald Scruggs. It was more than fitting – it was perfect! I was in town for my Alumni Association Board meeting that weekend. Stephens College, the faculty and my fellow classmates gave me so much more than I ever thought I could have. Both academically and emotionally, I really grew into being an educated woman there (some would say overeducated).
I was beyond surprised that I would be asked to partake in what will be the most historic Electoral College vote of our time. Mind you, at the time we didn’t know what the outcome of the election would be, but I had a pretty good feeling that we were about to change the direction and face of this nation.
I had attended the Democratic National Convention back in August as a Hillary Delegate – something I am still proud of as a strong feminist. I also knew as a life long Democrat that I was going to that Convention to give my full fledge support to Obama, a man who I would soon come to admire, respect and appreciate. I also empathized with my Hillary cohorts that it would be challenging. Yet as I saw Hillary up there on the Tuesday night of convention delivering the message as only she can, and then on Wednesday night as she proudly and gracefully nominated him, I knew as a party we were going to be in good shape.
It took me about twenty-four hours to really think through that I would be part of a process that so few have the opportunity to know or be a part of. Admission to membership in this College is based on relationships – whether they be through being a donor, supporter, or just plain old friendship. The legal requirements aren’t hard – be of voting age and a registered voter. The unspoken requirements – to be a loyal and committed Democrat were met on my part by years of volunteering and loyalty.
I was almost like a girl again wanting to share the news, but yet hesitant knowing that it would take great explanation with certain groups of people. Of course, all of my political friends understood the impact, but non-political people (including my family) would require a mini-political science lesson. Having to explain that we live in an indirect democracy is like explaining our current economic crisis, how as a government we need to bail out the capitalists, but not get much in return.
Upon my return to California, my mom and my niece Jessica picked me up from LAX. I was bursting to share (my Electoral College news) on the ride home but, of course, the needs and emotions of a sixteen year old come first. In the middle of sharing with them, Jessica jumps to a whole other subject – when she can see her boyfriend. At that point I just gave up, knowing that teens have a way of just being teens.
I only shared my selection with a few close friends and family early in this dream-like process. I felt that I needed the election to happen in order for it to be real, and of course, not to take anything for granted. The Obama campaign was doing well despite a few hurdles, but remembering we need to give the Democratic process time to happen, and as a perpetual student and practitioner of political science I wanted to be respectful.
This whole sequence of events has been surreal for a variety of reasons — as a girl I often struggled with school and got mostly B’s, C’s and some D’s (but never an F!) It wasn’t until college that my intellectualism found its roots in the science of politics and society. It was my grandmother, Antonia Compisi Uriarte, who taught me that voting was my right and privilege — a woman with barely a sixth-grade education that obediently used an old dictionary and encyclopedias to educate her and me. I was also always the last kid picked for sports teams and games, being a small child of an asthmatic nature with weak ankles.
My grandmother hated Reagan — with passion like no other. I understood from an early age (around 7 or 8) what trickle down economics was — in my grandmother’s words, “Republicans aren’t for poor people or Mexicans”. Yes this is harsh, but those words have a lot of truth to them, especially when John McCain espoused that the economy was doing fine and the immigration issue was not being properly addressed. Grandma was probably blasting him up in heaven.
So being “picked” is a reward not for my work, but for the work of Grandmother, my mother, my aunts and uncles and of course, my friends.
Being steeped in this process has been grounding at times. When the second Electoral College e-mail notice from the California Democratic Party arrived it hit me full in the face that I get to vote for Barack Obama as the 37th Congressional District Elector, that I am one of 55 from the great and grand State of California, and to do this not because I am a wealthy donor — but a woman who has chosen to serve the poor.
I am still debating in my head the Electoral College versus the Popular Vote, and how we need to truly modernize our American Democracy. Our forefathers did not think average citizen has the ability to vote directly for a president. On Election Day I had the chance to help get out the vote, I took the day off from the YWCA and went knocking on doors with one of my best friends. On our poll checks, we would find ourselves silently weeping in joy as we saw long voter lines with moms and dads bringing their children with them to vote. Every once in a while we would hear a child say, “I want to vote Obama,” in an almost wistful voice full of hope and purity. This is significant in that we are teaching many generations that voting is about passion and values and helping make this country better for every American, and not just a select few.
Even though I know I am part of an elite few for this process, there will be many who walk with me into the California State House floor, including the sprit of my Grandmother and millions of people who have never been heard. I look forward to sharing with all of you what the process was like soon after December 15th.
Silissa Uriarte Smith, is the Executive Director of YWCA of the Harbor Area and South Bay where she leads and manages a staff of 45 and a $1.6 million dollar budget. She is also a leader in local, county and state Democratic Party politics and progressive policy and advocacy issues. Smith is one of 55 statewide electors.