Red Hen Exploring Our Conditions: October 9th Last Day To Register To Vote And We Need All Votes On Deck!!

Please allow me to explain how and why your vote counts in every election!! We are talking numbers in the masses or lack of mass numbers at the election polls and what those numbers say to elected officials. So many of us who advocate for change in how we conduct elections was really looking for a shift in voters from politics as usual to accountable and transparent politics. So many are fed up with both parties and many third parties was looking for the voters to look at the third parties platform. Problem is many voters platforms are emotional and informed by mainstream media, whose political platform is Democrat/Republican.

I express these facts because the 2016 presidential election number of write in's dramatically went up due to the fact that voters were not happy with either of the major parties candidates and choose to show their dissatisfaction by writing in another person whom they felt would best serve the people of our country. On facebook there was a huge debate as if these votes were wasted votes. No i don't see them as wasted votes, i see them as voices of people fed up with politics as usual and letting the powers that be know how fed up they are. 2016 is the year of the protest vote and guess what? The major parties witnessed a shift in votes to independent and write in and heard our protest votes loud and clear!!

My seven year old grandson and i was talking to people about registering to vote. He lets them know that their vote can keep guns out of his school. A potential voter wanted to debate with us about keeping the guns out of the schools. The potential voter told my grandson teachers should have guns to protect him if someone comes in there shooting up the school. The potential voter would not look at me, but i was firm in standing against guns in the hands of teachers who are barely trained to educate our populations. Then another voter who my grandson and i had spoke to earlier chimed in with not wanting guns in our schools. I suggested to keep our schools safe learning facilities that metal detectors should be installed and not guns. The other voter asked the potential voter when have they heard of a mass shooting in urban schools? The potential voter couldn't answer that question. The voter went on to mention that these rural areas hunt for hobby and a way to feed their families. Guns are a part of their everyday life and that is why it's so hard for them to incorporate metal detectors. The potential voter kept looking at my grandson saying you have the right to protect yourself then the bus came and the potential voter boarded the bus with our thoughts in mind. How and if this person will vote in November is a mystery, but we sparked an important lifestyle conversation and touched on the emotions of the voters right to protect them self and hopefully built understanding for metal detectors in learning facilities. #BooksNotGuns

These conversations can be challenging, what's important is to prepare for the push back with understanding for people's lack of trust in our elections. #JustAct is an arts-based catalyst activating social change and healing in individuals, organizations and communities to build a just world. LisaJo the founder of Just Act can help you host these challenging conversations in your communities. She has been working with youth groups to help the youth understand the importance of civic engagement. The youth after creating their Just Act interactive play said that they are more likely to vote in every election because of the exposure to their concerns in a fun meaningful experience.

LisaJo Founder of Just Act at E3 Youth Empowerment Center

info@justact.org

Your vote is your power to let the powers that be know that you are holding them accountable. They need your vote to collect a pay check and that is powerful!! Please plan to go to the polls with family and friends. If you can research who you want to vote for. You can visit Cast your vote and let your voice be heard in every election!!

Committee of Seventy Posted:

VOTING RIGHTS

Voters need to know their rights as they head to the polls. Seventy's pocket-sized cards will clearly state this info and will be translated into Chinese, Khmer, Korean,Spanish and Vietnamese. We're crowdfunding the design and printing costs and will be working with APABA-PA, Ceiba, the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and SEAMAAC to get them in the hands of thousands of voters across Philadelphia.

Help us remove one more barrier to voting in this important election! Donate via GoFundMe.

EVERYONE VOTES PA

Have a question about voter registration? Voter ID? Finding your polling place? Visit Everyone.VotesPA.com for online and printable resource to get ready for Election Day.

For questions about Seventy's Voter Guide, please contact bettergov@seventy.org

How easy is it to vote in...

This nifty Washington Post digital tool shows at a glance each state's laws regarding registration deadlines, voter ID, average wait times at the polls, and early and mail-in voting. PA's aren't among the most voter-friendly, and our registration deadline, for example, is 30 days before Election Day. That's next Tuesday (Oct. 9), so check your registration, and nudge your friends, relatives and co-workers.

More you can do: Register to serve as a nonpartisan poll monitor with Common Cause PA and the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law to support Pennsylvania voters on November 6.