Vote.

We’re going dark today, because the only thing that matters right now is telling people this: You need to go vote.

Vote as if your life depends on it, because it does.

If you’re planning on voting (or if you’ve already mailed in your ballot), but you have parents, grandparents, friends, or co-workers who you know aren’t, call them RIGHT NOW and tell them that it would matter tremendously to you if they would exercise their rights. This is the time to do what we can on a micro-level, and reach out to our contacts – the people who are closest to us – and let them know that in this, the most important election of our lives, we need all of us to be counted.

And for those of us who are the choir that I’m preaching to, some spots around town are offering a little something special to voters.

Adda Coffee & Tea Houses are offering a free drip coffee to anyone who stops by any of their shops, and shows proof that they’ve voted.

Mayfly Market is offering complimentary Election Day hot ciders.

De Fer Coffee and Tea is offering a free cup of drip coffee on Election Day.

Terrene will be part of World Central Kitchen’s #chefforthepolls initiative at Pittsburgh Olive Citywide Academy (2323 Brighton Road) starting at 4:00 p.m., serving voters free bites from their food truck.

Pennsylvania, we can do this.