We were 7 of the 22 votes

When I was a college student in Salem, Oregon, I drove the 45 miles to my home in Portland in order to cast my vote in a school bond election. It was that important. I had recently been a student in the public school system myself, and my brother, who is two years younger than me, still was. Even if that hadn't been the case, I would have come home to vote in that election. Education matters. What could we possibly use our money for that would yield a better return?

That school levy passed. By three votes: my mom, my dad, and me. I'm sure others who supported the levy felt the same, that it was their votes that put it over the top. But no, it was definitely our family.

I have never forgotten that election, and when I hear people say their votes don't matter, I tell this story. It's easy to feel powerless in a system that seems so big, so complex, and (sadly) sometimes so corrupt.

But that kind of apathy never effected change. I grew up in a political family and was taught from infancy by my grandfather the importance of my vote. As a female, I'm especially aware. Suffragettes fought for that right for me not terribly far in the past; I honor their sacrifice by voting always.

And yes, the Parkrose School District in Portland, Oregon secured the funding it needed to serve children, and teachers in that district had salary increases, because my mom and my dad and I went to the polls that day and voted yes!

Recently, another close race occurred right here in Utah. Democrat Ben McAdams defeated incumbent Republican Mia Love for her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, by just 694 votes! Had it been just 22 votes closer, she could have requested a recount. I am proud to report that seven of those 22 votes were from my immediate family. Again, I'm sure all McAdams supporters are thrilled to be part of those 22 votes, but the Erichsen-Websters are claiming seven of them.

The week prior to the election, McAdams' campaign workers were out in earnest. Literally every day, one of them knocked on my door to make sure I was planning to vote. Yes, I will vote. More importantly, I will vote for Ben! After the fifth day of this, I said to the campaign worker (whose shoes I've been in many times): "You guys really don't need to come here every day. I promise you that every qualified voter in this family is registered. And every one of us will vote for Ben McAdams. No one here will vote for Mia Love."

Still, they came back the following day. Just to be sure.

They knew they had a fight, and they fought it. They knew voter turnout would make the difference.

In the end, they were right.

I couldn't be more delighted to welcome Ben McAdams to the U.S. House of Representatives from the State of Utah. I'm excited to see what a difference in policy his presence there will make.

My vote mattered years ago in that school bond election in Portland, and it mattered again last week right here. It always matters.

We were 7 of the 22.