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By Willie Brown
With less than a week left, you are most likely being bombarded by ads, commercials and postcards in your mailbox urging you to vote. If you are relatively young, you may not be aware of why this is such a big deal. But the truth is, especially for Black people, voting is one of the few areas of life where there is equality. The one person, one vote model leveled the playing field. It doesn’t matter how rich a person is, or the color of their skin, everyone gets to one vote.
There was a time when Black people could not vote. In rare cases, some were allowed to vote, but they had to qualify by passing literacy tests or answering questions about the Constitution. The racist election officials took extraordinary measures like making would-be voters guess the number of jelly beans in a jar. Whatever the test was—it was nearly impossible to pass. Like anything else in this country Black people had to fight—literally—to get voting rights. They were jailed, beaten, and some even died for the right that some people today flippantly take for granted.
When the Voting Rights Act passed under President Lyndon Johnson in 1965, efforts to suppress voting increased. Election officials would often lie about dates, voting locations and hours to confuse black voters into thinking they had missed their opportunity or that their vote would not count.
In recent years, a handful of states—mostly Republican—have come up with more shenanigans to make it harder for voters to vote. Rejecting mail in ballots, shutting down voting polls, placing more polls in white areas, and passing a bunch of new Voter ID laws are just a few of the tricks conservatives have employed to suppress the young, the old, the poor and the person of color. They argue that the stricter voting laws are necessary to prevent voter fraud. They argue that fraud is a widespread problem, which is a lie. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, incident rates of voter fraud average between 0.0003 and 0.0025, or less than 1 percent.
Trump is perpetuating the big lie of widespread voter fraud. He has put his followers on high alert that this election will be “rigged” because he knows he can’t win outright.
The Guardian reported on Monday that hundreds of ballots were burned inside ballot boxes in Vancouver, Washington and Multnomah, Oregon near Portland. Authorities have arrested a 35-year old man who confessed to the crimes, and who stated he wanted to be arrested. Police in Oregon say the fires were started by an incendiary device, which was set off inside a ballot drop box near a Multnomah County Elections Office.
The Guardian also reported that far-right Trump election denial groups have been monitoring ballot drop boxes. Online, these extremist groups openly discuss ways to destroy ballot boxes.
As the violent Trump supporters prepare to wreak havoc if things don’t go their way, those of us who believe in democracy must be prepared for the outcome of potential attacks. I am urging everyone to take the following precautions before November 5th because by then it may be too late:
Make provisions in case you have to leave suddenly or hunker down inside for a few days. If right-wing extremists decide to act crazy like they did at the nation’s Capitol Building, you don’t want to get caught up in the mayhem. Make sure you have plenty of food, water, flashlights and batteries on hand. Have a “go bag” ready specifically for emergencies. This may include clothing, toiletries and medication. Get extra cash and fill up your gas tank so you can travel to another area or check on loved ones if needed.
While we cannot cower down to the bullies, we don’t want to be foolish either. Stay positive and trust God. But also, use your common sense. Stay safe when you drop off your ballot or go to vote in person.
Decide in advance where and when you will vote. Remember, you can vote by dropping your ballot in the U.S. mail or ballot box; by voting in person early or on Election Day, November 5. As long as your mailed ballot is postmarked by Election Day, it will count. Vote the way that is best for you. But please vote.
If you see any suspicious activity in or around a ballot box or U.S. mailbox, report it immediately by contacting the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) at 877-876-2455 or the Secretary of State at (916) 657-2166 or (800) 345-VOTE (8683).