SWING SHIFT

With the election of their lifetimes looming on the horizon, eight models— each of them with ties to a battleground state—tell us what’s important to them, what they’re fighting for, where they’re voting, and how they’re finding value and purpose in uneasy times.

- PRECIOUS LEE GEORGIA

I was raised in Atlanta, in Fulton County, and grew up knowing that voting is a privilege that was handed to me by the blood of my ancestors. Civil rights activists fought for equality through the power of the vote.

I felt so incredibly grateful that I was able to cast my first vote for Barack Obama when I was attending Clark Atlanta University. The entire Atlanta University Center—Morehouse, Spelman, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Clark Atlanta—was bursting with pride and pure joy. We all knew that we were a part of history. That election was all hands on deck, and we made it happen.

Fulton County has always been crucial in elections, so no matter where I am in the world, I make sure I get back to Georgia to vote. I took three planes to get back for the last election. I’ve waited in lines for hours into the night when necessary—and I’ll be doing the same on November 5. Civil rights, women’s rights, environmental consciousness—the list of important issues is long. We can’t afford to ignore what’s happening—we have to show up and vote. Period.

QUANNAH CHASINGHORSE ARIZONA

The Navajo Nation in Arizona is like my second home. I have a lot of Diné family there, including my little brother, and I just feel closely intertwined with the culture and way of life. I’m registered to vote in Alaska, but because Arizona is a swing state— and because of how powerful the Native vote is there—I keep up with its politics. My mom explains things to me—not just the candidates, but what they’ll bring to our community—and I talk to my friends. My friend Nanabah—she’s a Diné model— and I have had many long conversations.

We’re all more involved with and more aware of this election. One thing we discuss a lot is what the Native community would endure in the future depending on the outcome.