Every four years, we’re almost guaranteed to hear these words: “This is the most important election of our lifetime.”

The phrase borders on cliche, with many of us having heard it during previous election seasons. 

But as we inch closer to 2020’s Election Day on Nov. 3, with each passing day dealing us new tragedies and devastating news, the familiar saying begins to sound less like a cliche, and more like an alarming call to action. 

As our institutions unravel before our eyes and our democracy seemingly marches down the path of the authoritarian, we as citizens have the responsibility to do all in our power to stand and fend off the forces that wish to suppress us. Especially those of us who the right to vote was never intended for. 

But for us to do this, we must be informed.

It is for this reason that El Tecolote—the 50-year-old Latino bilingual newspaper that was founded to uplift the voices of a community whose concerns repeatedly fell upon deaf ears—and KALW—the pioneering radio station who for over 75 years has dedicated itself to providing informative media to our diverse San Francisco community—are partnering to bring you 2020 Election coverage. 

But just as El Tecolote and KALW have historically listened and reported on issues important to our oftentimes disenfranchised communities, we are here to ask: This election, what matters to you? Please tell us what are the biggest challenges in your neighborhood, so we can answer YOUR questions in our reporting. 

As part of this partnership, we hope to listen to the concerns of those living in areas with the lowest voter turnout precincts in five Bay Area counties—which include parts of Fairfield in Solano County; the Iron Triangle in Contra Costa County; West Oakland in Alameda County; East Palo Alto in San Mateo County; and Bayview/Hunters Point in San Francisco.

Whatever your questions may be regarding this year’s election, we hope to provide you with information and answers. And we hope to do that together. 

How can you send us your questions and comments? Call us at (415) 684-8120. Email us at community@KALW.org. Message us on facebook at @KALWPublicRadio. Please visit www.kalw.org/elections and fill out the box with the issues you’re most concerned about for the 2020 election.