8 million Blacks are unregistered

[Heather MC]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Despite Obama, 8 million Black are unregistered.

September 4th, 2008 Nearly one in three African Americans have yet to get registered
While Sen. Barack Obama’s historic campaign has injected a powerful dose of enthusiasm into America - particularly Black America - there are still 8 million African Americans that have not yet been moved to register. Rick Wade, who handles African-American voter outreach for the Obama campaign says that some 32 percent of the Black voting-age population is currently out of the loop. “Our principle focus has been a 50-state voter registration initiative,” Wade told NNPA. “I think we all appreciate that if we increase the number of African American registered voters and then increase turnout and get people to the polls on Nov. 4, then Sen. Obama will be the next president of the United States.” Four years ago, more than one in 10 voters was Black, he said. “If the percentage of African Americans was a mere two-and-a-half percent higher, 13.5 percent, Democrats would currently be running for re-election at this time,” he said. “For example in the state of Ohio in 2004, we lost by two percent or 100,000 votes. There were 270,000 unregistered African Americans. I use that as an illustration to show how the African American vote can make the difference in a state and across this country. So the African American vote can absolutely make the difference in this election.” Here’s how to get registered: Go to to BET.com’s Decision ‘08 and click the “registration” link.


http://blogs.bet.com/news/newsyousho...-unregistered/

[1corona4u]

1. I don't get it....why aren't they voting?

[Bicoastal]

4. For one thing, urban areas are notorious for poor polling places.

They're almost never prepared for turnout, so lines sometimes go around the block. And who wants to stand in line all day--especially when every hour away from your job means a significant loss of income?

Of course, employers aren't legally allowed to dock you for time spent voting, but many people don't know that. If everyone was as educated about the political process as we DU'ers were, the world would be a much better place--but unfortunately they're not.

[Blaq Dem]

8. Why the lines so long?

(1) Poll workers move slowly. Many of the are so old. I wish they had computers to sift through the names.
(2) Too many issues on the ballot. It's like reading a book.
(3) Poorly educated voters don't read as fast.

It's frustrating. People should know exactly what they're voting for before they get into the booth. But some seem to come in unprepared.

[Blaq Dem]

5. Their mind isn't on politcs

There are some blacks who have their mind wrapped around the latest hip-hop music, sex, and making ends meet. Politics is the last thing they ever think about. Some have police records and outstanding warrants. I'm not trying to sound mean or anything. I'm just telling it like it is.

But I do caution you we could be wrong. Obama is drawing a lot of interest this year. There is a strong voter's registration drive going on. I'm shocked to find Obama gear at black beauty supply stores. I personally encouraging my relatives and neighbors to get out and vote this year. We'll have to wait and see.

[Heather MC]

14. Your statement is rather generic and superfucking ignorant

The truth is a lot of blacks just don't trust the Government, and don't see the point in participating because the politicans don't reach out to them and their personal needs.
Hell one old rich white man is the same as the next.

Perhaps this year will be different.

You can take you hip hop, sex comment and stick it where the sun don't shine!

[silverojo]

20. Your statement is a lot more ignorant

Do you really think white people, alone, are the only ones too obsessed with music, pop culture, and material things to care about politics?

[Heather MC]

21. With all do respect, I believe you mis-understand my previous post

White folks didn't have a thing to do with it

[Number23]

24. Dang, Heather!

I should have just read what you wrote before I posted! We said almost the exact same thing in our respective posts. :)

[Heather MC]

32. I love you

:hi:
When I read your post it was 3am, so I was like is it me, have I reached the point in the night where my brain has liquify.

don't ever do that to me again, it's criminal, confusing me is not that hard
:rofl:

[DiamondKrosse]

17. its really a shame because if there's one area

Obama offers real hope in, its cleaning the minds of many young black youth who's lack of adequate parenting leaves them to take a garden path to trouble. I hope soon, if Obama is elected, black kids want to be like Barack, not Tupac

[Number23]

23. You okay?

There are some blacks who have their mind wrapped around the latest hip-hop music, sex, and making ends meet.

Did you fall down or something before you posted this? Are you okay?

Even blacks consumed by "hip hop, sex and making ends meet" are feeling the pinch of the last eight years. While it may be true that there are some blacks who don't vote because they are too busy worrying about other things, just as valid a statement could be made that there are large numbers of blacks who aren't voting because they don't see it doing one damn bit of good.

Perhaps in their heads, one corrupt, amoral group of (predominantly) white politicians are no different from any other. In my life, I've known more than a small number of black people who choose not to vote -- vast majority of whom were male -- and time and again, that was their reason for not voting. They saw no purpose in it whatsoever. And as a result, became so apathetic towards the entire process that they barely knew anything about politics, including who the elected officials were in their area. I think Obama has changed that for alot of people, but I'm sure he hasn't changed that for everyone.

[K Gardner]

25. This is one of the WORST comments I've ever read on DU - it caricatures an ENTIRE group of

people in a very stereotypical way. Wow. Not cool at all.

[mzmolly]

11. Some may not realize that you have to register first in various states?

I am sure Obama is generating enthusiasm, but many people who haven't voted in the past may not understand that they should register in some states ahead of time?

I think we may need an informational "how to" ad directed at various states with simple info on what is required?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. And 45 million whites and 20 million hispanics...*

*Guesstimate

[1corona4u]

3. That's true....my neighbors aren't voting....they hate mccain, and they

won't vote for Obama....you know the story...

[JI7]

6. a lot of people just don't follow politics at all

and it doesn't always have to do with lack of trust in politicians or the political process.

many just don't care. they don't even know who their governor is.

[endthewar]

7. Some realize that if you aren't in a swing state, your presidential vote doesn't count

[Honeycombe8]

22. But of course it counts in the primary. nt

[amborin]

9. what kind of outreach and GOTV and Voter Reg are we using?

[Leeny]

13. walk registration cards

to the neighborhoods. One year we walked voter registration cards door to door, and we walked pre-printed absentee ballot requests. We helped fill out the voter reg cards, and all they had to do was sign the absentee request.

We followed up with absentee requestors to make sure they got their ballot and planned to mail it in. We also encouraged them to walk the ballot in on election day and drop it in the box.

It worked pretty well. I think otherwise disinterested, disenfranchised or just too busy people could be willing to do this is you brought it to them. Let's get busy!

[Rosa Luxemburg]

10. it is most important that we get our relatives and friends that we know are Democrats registered now

[HughMoran]

12. That sucks

This is why Americans get the government they deserve. There are more than enough in any one group to easily swing the election, yet they don't vote. Arrggh!! It makes me sick! :(

[MattP]

15. Volunteer in your state if it is a swing state or a nearby state if it is not

People can volunteer and call and knock on doors and tell people about early voting, in most states it will save all the hassle.

[PretzelWarrior]

16. how many of them are in prison and can't vote?

our judicial system is inherently preudiced against the poor and minorities. The way our system has worked against African Americans for so long has been bound to leave many jaded and unwilling to be unguarded enough to care.

Many might look at great periods in the past such as when Mayor Washington was first black mayor of Chicago and ask, "Will an Obama presidency really make a difference to me?"

[MattP]

18. A better question would be "what would the world look like in 4 years of a McCain presidency?"

I would say there is a huge difference between what a McSame presidency would mean to us and a Obama presidency would.

[democracy1st]

19. Its not that its the failure of the Democratic party to establish viable get out the vote campaigns

Until Dean came along followed by Obama the structure was not in place

[No Elephants]

26. K & R. If you are not registed, register. If you are registered, help get others registered.

[Cha]

27. That's a lot of votes if

they can be reached by October 10th.

[Essene]

28. Focus on swing state voter registration...

Wallowing in a wider problem within the african american community isnt constructive right now.

There must be focus on registration drives in the 5+ swing states. This is critical.

[Dawgs]

29. Where do these people live? I don't care if they live in MS, AL, TX, or LA.

I hope those numbers are better in NC, VA, MI, or OH.

[demokatgurrl]

30. NAACP has this initiative

Any African Americans reading this, please check it out and pass it along.

Dear Demokatgurrl,

We have just over a week before most states close their rolls to new voters for the 2008 Elections, and with an estimated 8 million African Americans who are not registered to vote we have a lot of ground to cover.


All summer long the NAACP and its coalition partners have been hard at work getting people accurate information about their voting eligibility and registering tens of thousands of new voters. But we knew that on-the-ground tactics alone wouldn't be enough, we needed to leverage the power of new technology to increase our reach.

That's why I'm so excited about our Upload to Uplift program, the NAACP's online voter registration initiative that makes registering to vote easy and convenient. Thousands of people have used the program to register, and with just over a week to go we need your help to make sure that everyone knows about this critical resource.

http://www.naacp.org/vote/

[suston96]

31. Cannot see the numbers in the link. Where does this 8 million come from?

There are some 40 million blacks - all ages - in the US. Take away 10 million under age. That leaves 30 million eligible. 8 milion aren't registered? That's incredible.

Jesse Jackson? What have you been doing all these years?