St. Joseph County Voter Registration Drive Underway
Last Saturday, a group of community leaders met to plan an extensive voter registration effort for St. Joseph County. In attendance were representatives of the South Bend NAACP, the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of St. Joseph County, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior Men's Club and a diverse group of community organizations, including the Community Forum for Economic Development. Plans include an immediate focus on voter registration; registration for the spring primary election ends on April 9 and early voting in the May primary begins on April 10.
This year has turned into a very challenging election year because of some fundamental changes in how we vote. The only valid identification for voting purposes are documents issued by the state (driver's license, state ID card) or the federal government (military ID, passport). Some voters' precincts have been changed as a result of the 2010 Census. In addition, St. Joseph County is considering a switch from precinct-based voting to Voting Centers, a change that could happen as early as the 2012 general election this November. These changes could substantially increase confusion at the voter level and affect voter participation in our community.
Another concern is the need for voters to update their voter registration after a change of address. During a recent petition drive in St. Joseph County, nearly one third of the signatures were invalidated due to differences between the stated addresses and addresses on voter registrations. You can verify your own voter registration by visiting www.IndianaVoters.com or by calling the Hoosier Voters Hotline at (866) 461-8683.
What Happened at the Voter Registration Meeting?
Immediate plans developed at the meeting will focus on the May primary — both for registering voters and for getting out the vote. The efforts this spring also will establish a framework for summer and fall campaigns and establish working relationships among different groups and agencies concerned with voter participation as well as voter education about voting centers, validating voter registration status, precinct redistribution, getting out the vote, etc. Immediate plans included mobilization through churches and schools, the establishment of voter registration centers throughout the county, contact with voters and potential voters by phone and by canvassing neighborhoods, and the use of media — including electronic social media. Each of these areas of mobilization is led by an experienced community leader.
Volunteers are Needed!
– Will you volunteer to involve members of your church in this effort? Reverend Terrell Jackson and his committee will provide information and speakers if needed.
– Are you a student at a local college or high school? The group that discussed student mobilization is planning a "Student Voting Day" during the early voting period and logistical support is needed. Lisa Plencner facilitated that discussion. The League of Women Voters has already registered over 600 high school students who will vote for the first time this year.
– Can you volunteer to work at a voter registration site? Pastor Shirley Gaston is coordinating these centers.
– Are you willing to make phone calls from home? Phone lists will be provided. Rebecca Johnson is in charge of this effort.
– How about canvassing? Plans are to walk selected precincts, starting with the north and west sides of South Bend. Antonius Northern and Carolyn Archie will coordinate the canvassing.
– Craig Clark and Cory Gathright are coordinating the last outreach focus — media and the internet. Is this your area of expertise? Will you assist these efforts?
AT THE PRESENT TIME, DARRELL DANIEL IS SERVING AS COMMUNICATION COORDINATOR AND CAN LINK YOU TO ANY OF THESE GROUP LEADERS.
CALL DARRELL AT 574-210-5250, OR BETTER YET, EMAIL HIM: darrell.daniel16@yahoo.com