Tuesday, November 6 will be one of the most-watched midterm elections in memory, as it is widely seen as a referendum on President Donald Trump and his heated, often divisive rhetoric.
At a press conference on Madison’s south side yesterday group leaders like Bishop Harold E. Rayford of The Faith Place Church, Dr. Ruben Anthony, CEO of The Urban League of Greater Madison and Greg Jones, president of the Dane County NAACP, wanted to make sure that the community has its voice heard in the upcoming election.
Dr. Anthony warned that these are trying times for African American voters in particular and that a return to Jim Crow era policies and rhetoric has been at the forefront of the issues relevant in this year’s election.
“These are trying times and we can’t let the hands of time be turned back,” Dr. Anthony told the audience. “We don’t want to be known as the generation who sat back and did nothing.”
In order to facilitate more people voting, The Faith Place Church is offering transportation to polling locations for anyone who needs it. Union Cab and Common Cause are also offering free transportation for voters to polling places courtesy of the Dane County Clerk. Voters who do have transportation are encouraged to bring as many people to polling locations as possible.
“Our votes do matter,” Bishop Rayford said. “They only don’t matter when we choose not to use them.
Voter ID laws, which have come under intense media scrutiny, are seen by many to discourage potential voters. Everyone involved with the press conference wanted to encourage voters to not be dissuaded even if poll workers attempt voter suppression.
You can vote from 7 am until 8 pm on Tuesday, November 6 if you are a U.S. citizen and are at least 18 years old on Election Day. People with driver’s licenses only need the photo id to show who they are.
According to Dane County Clerk Scott McDonald, who was present at the press conference, it is okay if the address on your ID is wrong. The purpose of the id is to show who you are, not where you live.
Former offenders who had a felony conviction are also allowed to vote if they have completed parole, probation or extended supervision. People currently incarcerated in Dane County Jail who have not been convicted of a felony will be given an opportunity to vote as well.
Anyone who needs an ID to vote or has questions about voting should call 608-285-2141 or visit togetherwevote.org. People can also be registered to vote on that site.
Myvote.wi.gov has critical precinct and voting information, as well as information about who is on the ballot.
There are several venues offering Early Voting for the election as well. Places like Madison’s Central Library, Goodman South Madison Library on S. Park Street, and Meadowridge Library on Raymond road, to name a few, are places voters can come to cast their votes early and avoid the election day lines.
This year’s election is crucial. The race for Governor between Scott Walker and Tony Evers has been neck-and-neck. The future of Wisconsin depends on the policies the Governor installs and supports.
Republican incumbent Brad Schimel is seeking re-election against Democratic opponent Josh Kaul for Attorney General and Trump supporter Leah Vukmir is running against longtime Democratic incumbent Tammy Baldwin for United States Senate. Vukmir recently applauded the policies of President Trump saying that Trump “is doing a great job of bringing people together.”
Multiple members of the community and of area churches stepped to the podium at Urban League on Thursday to urge people – especially people of color- to step up and vote on November 6.
Dr. Marcus Allen of Mount Zion Church said that too much was sacrificed by those who fought for civil rights for us to forfeit the rights they fought for.
Teresa Sanders of The Black Leadership Council said that we need all of the Black votes in this election and especially implored black women to get up and make it happen on November 6.
