Ohio Voter Suppression…So, what do we do next, we are in uncharted waters as it comes to this year’s Primary Election…The Secretary of State clearly is in over his head. Yes, most of this will be blamed on the Coronavirus, however, we can all apply either the 5Ps up to 12Ps, you know Proper, Planning, Prevents……..! This feels like watching tennis or ping-pong, more like ‘Flip-Flop” as they go back and forth on this issue. Ohio is now preparing for lines of voters who did not get a ballot in time in the mail. Remember the March 17th Primary Election Day was called off by Secretary of State and the Governor, the Judge said no it was not, and then Dr. Amy said yes it was. It was extended to vote-in-person, then shortened to vote-by-mail. The new date was set for April 28, but by mail only, then no one knew how to properly request the ballot by mail or electronically. That was never settled, then you had to pay to mail in the request, then wait the receive your ballot and return it postmarked by April 27 (Monday). Then the Secretary of State announces a revelation…..The mail is too slow, shocking right. No offense, but that is why it is called “Snail Mail”, it has always been slow, so why he elected to have a mail-in system on top of COVID-19 and not to mention IRS Tax season was of course ridiculous. So as of today (April 25), if you did not get your ballot in the mail to have it postmarked by Monday (April 27), you can go to the board of elections and vote ‘PROVISIONALLY” wow those P’s just keep on coming, don’t they. This is without a doubt the clearest case of Voter Suppression that we have ever seen. Everyone famous has a quote about things like this, but the best ones come from our Black Mother’s trying to talk sense into their family and friends. They would simply say, ” …If you ain’t tired of the way they are treating you, then I am tired for you.'”However Brother Malcolm’s words should resonate with this current situation, “A new world order is in the making, and it is up to us to prepare ourselves that we may take our rightful place in it.” #Theblackresponse
The Columbus Branch of the NAACP can be reached at: http://www.naacpcolumbus.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/naacpcolumbus/
