During Nas’s arrival at the Grammy Awards in February, he made reference to “this thing that only allows black people to vote for another 23 years.”
This post will tell you all about “this thing” and give you all the information you need before casting your vote in the general election in November.
Nas was referring to the Voting Rights Act which was signed in 1965 and outlawed literacy tests in order to qualify to register to vote. It was set to expire in 2007 after a 25-year extension following its third renewal in 1982, but President George W. Bush signed another 25-year extension on July 27, 2006. The Voting Rights Act does not give blacks (nor anyone else, for that matter) the right to vote; the Fifteenth Amendment takes care of that.
REGISTER TO VOTEIn order to vote you must have also registered to do so. As much as we’ve discussed the upcoming election, I’m sure you’ve already done that. Just in case you haven’t, though, declare yourself today! Be sure to review the voter laws and registration deadlines for your state. You may also register in person by visiting your county clerk’s office and asking for a voter registration card, and many libraries also have voter registration forms on hand that you can submit.
Remember that if you’ve moved or changed your name, you must update your voter registration information to remain eligible to vote. You do that at your county clerk’s office, and while you’re there, ask for your polling place especially if this will be your first time voting and to be sure it hasn’t changed.
YOUR VOTEWe’ve already discussed the Electoral College and the role your vote will play in the presidential election. Inform yourself of each candidate and where they stand on the issues that matter to you. There will also be other names and offices on the ballot according to your state. Educate yourself about those candidates and ballot initiatives.
PROBLEMS WITH VOTINGIf you feel you are eligible to vote but are being denied a ballot because you don’t have proper identification, aren’t on the electoral roll or for any other reason, ask to cast a provisional ballot. The Help America Vote Act of 2002 requires that voters be granted access to a provisional ballot if they feel they are eligible to vote. If you are refused a provisional ballot and feel you are eligible to receive one, call the national hotline regarding voting irregularities: 1-866-OUR-VOTE.
We’ll see you at the polls!
This post will tell you all about “this thing” and give you all the information you need before casting your vote in the general election in November.
Nas was referring to the Voting Rights Act which was signed in 1965 and outlawed literacy tests in order to qualify to register to vote. It was set to expire in 2007 after a 25-year extension following its third renewal in 1982, but President George W. Bush signed another 25-year extension on July 27, 2006. The Voting Rights Act does not give blacks (nor anyone else, for that matter) the right to vote; the Fifteenth Amendment takes care of that.
REGISTER TO VOTEIn order to vote you must have also registered to do so. As much as we’ve discussed the upcoming election, I’m sure you’ve already done that. Just in case you haven’t, though, declare yourself today! Be sure to review the voter laws and registration deadlines for your state. You may also register in person by visiting your county clerk’s office and asking for a voter registration card, and many libraries also have voter registration forms on hand that you can submit.
Remember that if you’ve moved or changed your name, you must update your voter registration information to remain eligible to vote. You do that at your county clerk’s office, and while you’re there, ask for your polling place especially if this will be your first time voting and to be sure it hasn’t changed.
YOUR VOTEWe’ve already discussed the Electoral College and the role your vote will play in the presidential election. Inform yourself of each candidate and where they stand on the issues that matter to you. There will also be other names and offices on the ballot according to your state. Educate yourself about those candidates and ballot initiatives.
PROBLEMS WITH VOTINGIf you feel you are eligible to vote but are being denied a ballot because you don’t have proper identification, aren’t on the electoral roll or for any other reason, ask to cast a provisional ballot. The Help America Vote Act of 2002 requires that voters be granted access to a provisional ballot if they feel they are eligible to vote. If you are refused a provisional ballot and feel you are eligible to receive one, call the national hotline regarding voting irregularities: 1-866-OUR-VOTE.
We’ll see you at the polls!
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