Rocky Mount NC - NAACP Voter Education Forum was successful however again The Political Pimp was present
Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Posted in NAACP Rocky Mount NC Branch
by DCN
First of all I want to personally thank Democracy NC Tia Stanley for her professionalism. She shared some great information clearing up rumors such as what one can wear to the polls. She dispelled the rumor that one can not wear buttons, pins and other things featuring their candidates in the polling places in North Carolina. Voters can wear things featuring their candidates in the polls so don't be fooled by folks who are trying to mislead the public. She said things may be different in other states.
I learned something tonight from Ms. Stanley and that is an ex-felon do not have to do anything now but just register. They do not have to get anything from the courts ie: parole officer and whomever so all they have to do is just register. I knew ex-felons could register but I didn't know they didn't have to prove it. It makes sense because once they register the system should be able to tell if they have not been cleared of their felony charge.
Edgecombe County Board of Elections Director Rev. Jerry Spruill and the Nash County Board of Elections Director John Kearney both shared information about what is going on in their counties. They discussed same day registration, one-stop and other valuable information. These guys did a good job especially being in the office 1 year and less.
The forum was going good in my opinion up until the point where The Political Pimp the President of the Edgecombe Nash Black Political Caucus Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Waker began to promote his political pac. Walker brought up about voting for Presidents by name because it is a separate section on the ballot. He said he didn't think anyone had covered it. He was right. He said we are encouraging our people to vote a 3 step vote and a straight ticket would eliminate some things. I said we are not going to discuss that and he kept going on and on and I asked him several times to allow the Board of Elections to address the issue. I said we are not going to discuss the Edgecombe Nash Black Political Caucus. I said I will let the BOE explain the ballot and he said they haven't yet. Well that could have been a question. Before this point the pimp also made comments about things that could not be changed such as the time difference in which the Nash County and Edgecombe County One-Stop Polling Places will close. During this discussion the pimp said I could call the police because he was going to get his point across. The pimp carried out this same act at atleast 2 Edgecombe County Board of Elections meetings. President Andre Knight intervened and said he was going to change the format of the meeting and he was in charge. I kindly moved out of my role where I was presiding since I am the NAACP 2nd Vice President, Publicity Chair and The Political Action Chair.
Edgecombe County Board of Elections Director Spruill apologized to Walker saying he and the Nash County Director missed that. Spruill explained the sections on the ballot.
Rep. Angela Bryant talked about her election experience and what goes on during registering voters and what happens on election day that may be discouraging to the voters.
Shafeah M’Balia of Black Workers for Justice talked about mobolizing for a huge turnout.
About 50 people attended this forum.
Funny no one from the media was present.
See related:
Voters forum reaches out to poor, minorities - Mike Hixenbaugh called me on Wednesday for a comment however he said he had received the PR by the time I had returned his call. He asked me was this an annual meeting and why the importance of the meeting and I told him that it was not annual but we do it from time to time. I also said the importance of the meeting is to simply educate the community and to dispell the rumors such as what one can wear in the polling place and to talk about ex-felons being able to vote.
Rocky Mount NC - PSA: Voter Education Forum Thursday, October 2, 2008
Rocky Mount NC - Rocky Mount NAACP Voter's Education Fourm Thursday, October 2, 2008
Community activism, dealing with safe Negroes and Racist White Folks