Jackson Free Press

I've never heard anyone say that you couldn't vote if you didn't pay your utility bills first. Unfortunately, someone heard that and stayed home because of it.

This article lists all of the myths that float around this time of year:

Every big election season there are voting rumors that flood the Black community that have caused many people not to vote, thereby swaying election results.

According to political analyst, Ron Walters, such tactics are the province of any party seeking to regain power.

"Traditionally, things to suppress the Black vote have been done by Republicans. However, if more Blacks join the Republican Party or if they thought they could win with the Black vote, Democrats would pull the same type of tricks to keep our votes suppressed," said Walters.
One trick, Walters said, was evidenced in the Baltimore 2000 election cycle when a flyer was released that claimed a person could not vote unless all of their utility bills were paid in full.
And, of course, there are the ID rumors.

"In Atlanta, some members of the election board sent out letters that voters must have government issued identification to vote," that has been ruled unconstitutional, Walters said.
Walters also said ex-offenders in Maryland were told emphatically that they could not vote. However, if such voters had checked their voting status, they, in some cases would have found that they could vote.

Assistant professor of public policy at George Mason University, Michael Fauntroy said Blacks are not the only target of those who seek to suppress voter turnout. "There was a letter sent to eligible Latino voters in California saying if they were immigrants, they could not vote," said Fauntroy.

Other rumors to discourage voters were that all back taxes or parking tickets must be paid in order to vote. And then there are the flyers that advise voters that because of massive voter turnout, Republicans had to vote on Tuesday and Democrats on Wednesday. Not true. Everyone, barring absentee voters, has to vote on one day—Nov. 7.

In the instance about the ex-offenders, I wish she explained which ones could vote and which ones could not. However, at least maybe someone who reads the article might consider checking their voter registration status.

One thing that concerns me is getting the word out to those who are functionally illiterate or speak English as a second language but still can't read it. What about them? I wish there could be some public service announcements about this before every election.

What do you think?

Previous Comments

ID

108303

Comment

[quote]And then there are the flyers that advise voters that because of massive voter turnout, Republicans had to vote on Tuesday and Democrats on Wednesday. Not true. Everyone, barring absentee voters, has to vote on one day—Nov. 7.[/quote] Priceless. :) Neat thing is, if you're a democrat, you can simply reverse it and spread it around elsewhere.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-11-03T23:00:09-06:00

ID

108304

Comment

Neat thing is, if you're a democrat, you can simply reverse it and spread it around elsewhere. LOL!

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-11-03T23:14:43-06:00

ID

108305

Comment

I'm tired of fighting and politics. I'm ready for love. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkYBJId7WZs

Author

Kingfish

Date

2006-11-04T01:31:13-06:00

ID

108306

Comment

Kingfish, why is that guy wearing a can of soup around his neck? Is he an Andy Warhol fan or something? I see why his initials are LSD. :-P

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-11-05T00:03:20-06:00

ID

108307

Comment

Hey, Hon! That's the best idea you've had in a while! ;)

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2006-11-05T01:45:47-06:00

ID

108308

Comment

LW: Its from the Producers, which was made in the 60's. I'm talkin bout Love Power.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2006-11-05T12:03:11-06:00

ID

108309

Comment

Yeah, I saw Gene Wilder among the actors in the photo. I agree with you - like Take 6 said, "Spread love...love is all we need." :-)

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-11-05T20:20:30-06:00