(TriceEdneyWire.com)—There was a time when women could not vote at all nor Black people. Now, new attempted voting criteria threatens to move us backward. Perhaps too many of us are not voting for Trump, so check out all the new proposed requirements before election day and follow the final decisions.
Trump has decided to do everything possible for you not to know if they consider you eligible to vote. He has signed executive orders aiming to tighten voter eligibility requirements, including mandating proof of U.S. citizenship. He’ll try to find one that works!
A federal judge did block Trump’s recent Executive Order, but when has he obeyed anybody’s order or law about anything? Recently he’s touting the fact that he has more power than anybody to do anything he wants to do. Thus far, he is about right because he has a Supreme Court that includes a reliable vote from none other than Clarence Thomas to get him through the Supreme Court!
Voting is more important than anything we can do these days. Follow all efforts of Trump through election day and share what impacts voting. We know people who ‘look Hispanic’ may not risk being targeted and stopped on their way to the voting place. Many elderly people will be unable to get to the voting place. ICE will frighten many from trying to vote for fear of being grabbed and arrested without cause.
It seems the effort to collect voting rolls was to limit access as much as possible. There is currently an effort for the U S Postal Service not to mail ballots to states that don’t provide their voter’s roll! Elections have previously been run by states and one Court just agreed, but Trump tried to take over that. He can’t properly handle all the things a President is charged with doing, yet he wants to add to his duties by federalizing the elections in our states. That would have given him one more way to declare himself and/or his Party the victor! Sadly, he has no concept of fairness or truth, so make it harder for him to deny you a vote. Just dot all your I’s and cross all your t’s! Be sure your Identification matches your voting card. Bring along your passport and your birth certificate if you have them. Leave no stone unturned.
Well, we know certain people won’t even try to go through all the hoops, but keep them encouraged to vote. Offer people you know a ride to get to the polling place. ICE will try to frighten anybody from voting in certain neighborhoods. If you can, volunteer to work at the polls or call people to remind them to vote. Please do so. If you can get a final copy of the final rules, share them with others who need to be convinced that every vote counts.
These elections will require all of us to play a role whether it’s teaching friends and neighbors the real rules, encouraging early voting where it’s available. Remind your neighbors and your friends and family of the importance of voting without fail. Remind them to get that little I VOTED sign and use it as a reminder to others that it is election day. Call to remind people of the time for polls in your area to close. Leave no stone unturned.
Despite the challenges to our belief system and of all the negatives this past week, the good things that played a prominent role in days thereafter were the continuing discussions about the opening of the Obama Presidential Center where we had just witnessed a beautiful grand opening and the memories will remain with us for a very long time! WOW! A judge just blocked Trump’s ballot plot, but be clear on what he tried to do and will try again!
(Dr. E. Faye Williams, President of The Dick Gregory Society.)
