Election Day is 125 days away. It’s not too early to ask: What are you doing November 6?
If the past is prologue, young black voters will be at their polling place. In 2010 and 2008, African Americans had the highest turnout rate among voters aged 18-24.
Young black voters also turned out for the recall election in Wisconsin. The Nation reported:
Turnout was up dramatically, so much so that on election day election clerks had to be shifted to predominantly African-American wards.
While young black voters will turn out in November, the new election laws will make it harder for them to vote. From Florida (again) to the mess in Texas, the right to vote is under assault.
The new voter ID requirements will disproportionately impact minority and young voters. Studies show 25 percent of African Americans do not have government-issued photo ID. In Wisconsin, for instance, 78 percent of black men between the ages of 18 and 24 do not have a driver’s license.
On the eve of Independence Day, Black Youth Vote!, a signature program of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, is looking for a few good men to get involved with Foot Soldiers for Democracy.
Foot Soldiers will recruit and train at least 100 young black men to serve as poll workers or poll monitors. Their goal is to:
- Remove barriers to the ballot box
- Ensure that every vote is counted
- Raise awareness of the new voting restrictions and
- Push back against organized efforts to challenge voters’ eligibility to cast a ballot.
To get involved in this nonpartisan election protection initiative, contact William Kellibrew, NCBCP’s deputy director, or send a tweet to @BYVFootSoldiers.
