The failure of American voters to turn out on election day has done more to contribute to the loss of freedom at the hands of Republicans and a few DINOS. In few places, if any, has this been more apparent than it is in Ferguson, MO, where official racism runs rampant to victimize the majority of the voters.
Next week, Ferguson residents have the opportunity to vote for three city council members and alter the racial makeup of local government. To do that, they’ll have to clear one major hurdle: historically low voter turnout among the city’s African American majority.
Today, five of the six standing council members who represent the city’s three wards are white, while 67 percent of Ferguson’s population is African American. Three of the five are stepping down, and four candidates vying for the positions are black (Ella Jones, Adrienne Hawkins, Wesley Bell, and Lee Smith). Due to the ward breakdown, only two black contenders can be elected, although such a victory would secure half of the council seats and triple African American representation in the office. According to Fusion, the city has only elected two black council members in the past, including Mr. Dwayne T. James, who represents Ward 2.
But to shake up the predominately white government, black voters actually have to show up at the polls — something they don’t usually do in the small municipality. During the last municipal election in 2013, only 6 percent of eligible black voters cast a ballot. After Michael Brown was killed, many believed voter registration would skyrocket ahead of the St. Louis County executive election, but those hopes were shot when Director of Elections Rita Heard Days erroneously claimed that 3,300 people registered in the weeks after Brown’s death. In actuality, 128 people did so.
Several factors explain why so few African Americans vote in Ferguson. For example, city council elections occur in odd-numbered years, meaning they don’t align with presidential, gubernatorial, or state legislative elections. With an absence of big names on the ballot, voters aren’t drawn to the polls en masse on municipal election days. The black population is also younger than the white population, and older people tend to vote. Additionally, homeowners with lasting ties to the community are usually more inclined to vote, but most of Ferguson’s black voters are renters who haven’t lived in the city for long periods of time.
Nevertheless, organizers in the area strongly believe that next week’s elections will be different, because of the virtues and failures of the candidates on the ballot…
Inserted from <Think Progress>
I have been an activist for most of my life, so beating my head against the brick wall of apathy is not new to me. I cannot remember a situation in which a community of people has seen a more obvious demonstration of the need for political change. Will they turn out? If not, they will have earned treatment they have received. The punishment for apathy is living in as victims in a Republican Reich.
27 Responses to “Will They Turn Out?”
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I assume mail balloting is not possible in Missouri. That of course means the voters who need to be voting will not only need to want to vote, but they will need assistance, like transportation to the polls. Municipal and county elections are often run on a non-partisan basis (which doesn't mean they are non-partisan, it just means they are not allowed to label themselves with a party, so it's easier to not know who you're voting for.) So maybe there aren't Dems on the ground. I hope there are groups on the ground able to help. If not, it's going to be really rough. I have trouble blaming a person whose employer won't allow him or her time to vote for not voting. I doubt if there are many stay-at-home Moms in Ferguson, and I would not be surprised of a lot of mandatory overtime work is required on election day.
I think you are right. We don't have mail in here, either. Many do not have transportation, and there is so much apathy, few will make the effort.
"and I would not be surprised of a lot of mandatory overtime work is required on election day." – there should be an uproar if that is the case! I truly am shocked (though since we know they are capable of election fraud that probably should not be the case) – people should be allowed to vote!!
I have read that the there is so much activism focused on getting out thius vote that the resourses aere there, IF the people choose to use them.
I surely hope you are right.
It’s a shame that people don’t participate in elections as much as they protest. If the people that were on the streets of Ferguson protesting the horrible killing of Michael Brown would all REGISTER and VOTE, there might be less of these killings by police. They would have a lot more say in what goes on!
I agree with you, but folks will act in the heat of the moment and then go on about their daily routine.
That is so heartbreakingly sad, and so true, Edie! And the powers that be know this about people – they allow people to protest and vent their anger, knowing that nine times out of ten there will be very much fewer who can be bothered to protest next time. God help us all.
Yesh, except when they arrest them.
Exactly!!
Voter registration is by mailed form or in person at local elections office and must be postmarked by the 4th Wed. before the election. Voter ID is required:
Identification issued by the state of Missouri, an agency of the state, or a local election authority of the state
Identification issued by the United States government or agency thereof
Identification issued by an institution of higher education, including a university, college, vocational and technical school, located within the state of Missouri
A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document that contains the name and address of the voter
Driver's license or state identification card issued by another state
If you do not possess any of these forms of identification, you may still cast a ballot if two supervising election judges, one from each major political party, attest they know you.
Mailed ballots (absentee rules):
Registered Missourians who expect to be prevented from going to their polling place on Election Day may vote absentee beginning six weeks prior to an election.
Absentee voters must provide one of the following reasons for voting absentee:
Absence on Election Day from the jurisdiction of the election authority in which such voter is registered to vote;
Incapacity or confinement due to illness or physical disability, including a person who is primarily responsible for the physical care of a person who is incapacitated or confined due to illness or disability;
Religious belief or practice;
Employment as an election authority, as a member of an election authority, or by an election authority at a location other than such voter's polling place;
Incarceration, provided all qualifications for voting are retained.
Felon rights are better than in some states:
I was convicted of a felony, and have completed my probation and parole. Can I vote?
Yes. Upon completion of your sentence and probation or parole, you are eligible to vote in elections. Individuals who have been convicted of an election offense, whether a felony or misdemeanor, are not allowed to vote.
Employers are supposed to give a block of three hours off to vote.
Thanks for the info, JL.
Here in Metro Vancouver, we are in the midst of voting on a .5% sales tax for transit. It is all being done by mail and is very easy if you are on the provincial voters` list. If not, it is a matter of calling elections BC to register and then they will send out a ballot. Mark the ballot, put it in the appropriate enveloppes and mail before the deadline. We had one other mail campaign a few years ago and if I remember correctly, it went well. But generally, you have to go to the polls to vote for MPs, MLAs, and civic politicians. I think it would be useful to do the next provincial election by mail and see if the participation rate is better.
In the case of Ferguson, I think some voter TLC is needed consisting of door to door non partisan registration and answering questions about the election process, not about politics. People likely feel that their vote doesn`t matter since nothing ever seems to change. But things won`t change unless everybody participates. No voting, no whining! One thing I have said many times, the US needs to rid itself of partisan politics in the election administration area. This is the biggest area for corruption and voter suppression.
If they don't turn out to vote, life will go on as usual in Ferguson. The poor are least likely to vote because they believe their votes don't count. I have seen this so often here in E. Ky. Those who struggle every day to exist believe that no one will listen to them, and they are to busy trying to live to bother with elections. A real voter turnout only happens when people think they have something to win. I hope those in Ferguson realize this is their opportunity.
"During the last municipal election in 2013, only 6 percent of eligible black voters cast a ballot. After Michael Brown was killed, many believed voter registration would skyrocket ahead of the St. Louis County executive election, but those hopes were shot when Director of Elections Rita Heard Days erroneously claimed that 3,300 people registered in the weeks after Brown’s death. In actuality, 128 people did so. " – this is awful – things will not change for the better unless people cast off apathy and VOTE!
BTW – how can ANYONE erroneously claim that 3,300 people have registered for anything when the number is only less than 130 – how does such a thing happen by mistake…..????
I'd like to know that too!
People have always said that we get the government we deserve – but it seems to me that we get the government that a) the deceitful have manipulated things to get, and b) the apathetic deserve by constant inaction – the rest of us who try out best and try and live out our principles just have to suffer for their sins!
I cannot think of one good reason other than incapacitation not to vote. Maybe I am playing Devil's advocate here but rides are offered by churches and political parties. I have been discharged from the hospital after major surgery in the past and still managed to make it to the polls. Ferguson is a small area. How far can anyone be from a voting place?
Besides everything listed about voting by jla, this is something new to me but in effect in MO.
ACCESSIBLE VOTING
Curbside Voting: Voters with limited mobility can vote "curbside" or outside the polling place. Just go to your polling place and ask someone to go in and ask poll workers to bring a ballot out to you. They should bring you a ballot within a reasonable period of time.
Accessible Polling Places: If you have physical disabilities, and your polling place is not accessible, you may request a different polling place assignment so that you may vote in a more accessible polling place. You may also vote at a central location. Simply contact your local election authority to make this request. You can find your local election authority here or by calling (800)NOW-VOTE.
Accessible Voting Systems: Every polling place must have an accessible voting system for individuals with disabilities including audiovisual accessibility. Accessible systems include an audio ballot to make your selections or the ability to enlarge text so that you can read the on-screen ballot with ease.
Permanent Absentee Voting: If you have a permanent physical disability, you may request to be placed on a designated list so that your local election authority can automatically mail an absentee ballot application directly to you prior to each election. You will need to make this request directly to your local election authority who will send you further information.
In the matter of voter ID, people have no problem coming up with sufficient ID to claim benefits. Start taking responsibility for yourselves and your community. Get up off the damn couch and vote!
I don't mean to rile anyone up but I'm tired of hearing excuses people give for not voting.
Excellent info. I agree!
Hi Tom
I think when that feeling of hopelessness sets in, it is hard and sometime impossible for some. I sure hope that people will wake up and and not later but now. The rebublian/tea party are hard at work trying to cap on the reality "that propaganda and that what happen yesterday people will forget and they can win the White House back in 2016.
Welcome back, Mama! How is youir daughter doing?
Thanks all. Now we wait and see.
My daughter was awarded a certificate for all A's and B's woo hoo. She will be 14 next month(time does fly by)
Congrats!!
I am writing this afternoon with tears in my eyes, but for Ferguson, they are tears of joy.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
"High voter turnout in Ferguson adds two black council members, for three total"
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/high-voter-turnout-in-ferguson-adds-two-black-council-members/article_422cb33f-c172-53de-a0c8-29386630ec72.html
Daily Kos: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/08/1376307/-Ferguson-MO-City-Council-Becomes-Diverse-as-Two-African-Americans-Win-Office
Now, for Chicago, not so much.
Woooo Hoooo!