10/06/2024
Why is the Pastor pressing the importance of Voting?
I am pushing us to Get Out The Vote because Democracy is on the ballot. Too much has been sacrificed for us not to exercise our Right to Vote. In fact, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, is an “act to enforce the fifteenth amendment to the Constitution” was signed into law 95 years after the amendment was ratified. --- Yes, it took 95 years for our Country's leaders to agree that Article 15 of the Constitution should be enforced and upheld by all States of this Great Union. It's not as if it were controversial as it reads...
Article XV - Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude—
Why is voting important, particularly to people of Color?
Because in those years (1960's), African Americans in the South faced tremendous obstacles to voting, including poll taxes, literacy tests, and other bureaucratic restrictions to deny them the right to vote. To have the right to exercise one's voice came at a cost as many faced harassment, intimidation, economic reprisals, and physical violence when they tried to simply register... or God-forbid they attempted to go to the ballot box and cast their vote. As a result, African-American voter registration was limited, along with political power.
Why is voting important?
Because people died (literally) so that we can have this privilege. In fact, it was the murder of voting-rights activists in Mississippi and the attack by white state troopers on peaceful marchers in Selma, Alabama, that gained national attention and persuaded President Johnson and Congress to initiate meaningful and effective national voting rights legislation.
And here we are, almost 60 years later. And I'm challenging everyone to lift your voices and vote. No matter who you are, where you live, there is something you can vote for this November. Just remember... Your Voice is Your Vote. Please don't complain about the results on November 6... when you didn't speak up on November 5th.
To check your Registration status... You can go to VOTE.ORG
However, I do not recommend registering to vote in this manner... Approximately 2,400 newly registered voter applications in Texas were denied because they registered online.
https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/texas-rejects-more-than-2000-voter-registration-applications
Today at St. James CME, Tyler, we have Voter Registration cards with us today! As a deputized registrar, we can get you registered to vote today and it will be turned in to the Smith County Elections Department in the morning - as the Deadline is Monday, October 7th.
Early Voting begins October 21 - November 1
On Sunday, October 27th... if you had not already gone to cast your vote. Join us for "Souls To The Polls" following our Church Anniversary service, as we convoy to the polls to Lift Our Voices and Vote.
Rev. Brian T. Lightner, M.Div
Pastor, St. James CME Church
408 N. Border Ave. Tyler, TX 75702
email: StJames [email protected]
