TUESDAY, MAY 20th PHILLY GET OUT AND VOTE!!

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Wake up everybody!  If you're thinking this is just another Tuesday, then you're decidedly mistaken - especially if you are in any one of the six states that have primaries today.  Today you have to get up and exercise your RIGHT AND RESPONSIBILITY TO VOTE!

Don't act like you didn't know this day was coming - I've been writing about it and sending you messages since February - well really since 2010 when we collectively slept our rights away and let the majority we had fall into the hands of the repuglycons (republicans for those who don't make the connection) and the teabaggers (tea party).

It's time to take our rights back - and voting is one the means by which this can and must be accomplished - since not voting is how we lost them.  There can be no excuses.  

They are hoping that you will be so brainwashed and disheartened and disgusted that you'll repeat the same mistake and sit this one out like you did the last time.  But not gonna happen.  Remember, Pennsylvania is currently under repuglycon domination, while Philadelphia is led by a Democratic mayor, Michael Nutter, many of the efforts he makes to serve the people are thwarted by this overlay.  Likewise, the representatives of the various communities are truncated in their capacity to provide the goods and services the people need and require.  This is the threshhold to turning this around.  And today is the beginning. 

Philadelphians: Get up! Polls Open at 7:00AM and Close at 8:00 This is the primary, prelude to the general election which takes place on November 4. But we have to do this in order to get to that date.

Last night at the recently held ATAC (Avenge The Ancestors Coalition) meeting in Philly, Michael Coard reminded the nearly 150 participants that they had to get out and vote.   He gave his list of May 2014 Primary Election Endorsements, stating,  "Each year I compile a list of people that we should support.  You don't have to support them.  You may have your own choices.  These are people we have observed whose track records have been in support of Black people in the various communities, and I feel they deserve our backing.  We're not paid for these endorsements, nor would we accept payment for them...I don't care which party you're affiliated with, as long as you vote."

The following are the candidates endorsed by ATAC for the MAY 2014 PRIMARY ELECTION

Governor:
   ALYSON SCHWARTZ

Lieutenant Governor
   BRAD KOPLINSKI

State Senators
   THOMAS SANCHEZ - Dist.2
   LEANNA WASHINGTON  Dist. 4
   ANTHONY WILLIAMS  Dist. 8

State Representatives
   W. CURTIS THOMAS Dist. 181
   JORDAN HARRIS Dist. 186
   JAMES ROEBUCK Dist. 188
   VANESSA BROWN Dist. 190
   RONALD WATERS  Dist. 191
   LOUISE BISHOP Dist. 192
   MICHELLE BROWNLEE Dist. 195
   CHERELLE PARKER Dist. 200
   STEPHEN KINSEY  Dist. 201
   MARK COHEN Dist. 202
   DWIGHT EVANS Dist 203

US Representatives
   ROBERT BRADY Dist. 1
   CHAKA FATTAH Dist. 2
   DAYLIN LEACH Dist. 13

For those of you who have had polling places changed, or are voting for the first time in the Pennsylvania area, you can call the CITIZENS ACCESS CENTER:  866.268.8603

HOURS POLLING PLACES OPEN AND CLOSE IN PENNSYLVANIA: 7:00 AM TO 8:00PM

TYPE OF ID NEEDED IN ORDER TO BE PERMITTED TO VOTE - it's not necessary in this state. However:
In case you run into any challenges to your right to vote, or identification issues, take your ID with you, that includes Driver's License; Non-Drivers ID; Passport, State ID; Military ID, Federal ID; Employee ID, Student ID, Voter's ID Card; or a Utility Bill, Bank Statement, Current Paycheck, Government Paycheck - note paychecks must have your name and address pre-printed on them.

IF YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO VOTE WHEN YOU GET TO THE POLLING PLACE:
Immediately call the COMMITTEE OF SEVENTY at 215.557.3600 or THE VOTER REGISTRATION OFFICE at 215.686.1590.
If that does not work, IMMEDIATELY DEMAND A PROVISIONAL BALLOT which you have an absolute right to receive; that ballot serves as a kind of temporary vote until the problem is resolved.  Make sure that you receive notification on the disposition of your provisional ballot - always follow up.

VOTING RIGHTS OF THOSE CONVICTED OF CRIMES - YOU ARE PERMITTED TO VOTE IF:
1.  If you have been convicted of a felony, but have been released from jail (or a halfway house)
2.  If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor, and even if your are still in jail (or in a halfway house) for that misdemeanor - it would have to be done by ABSENTEE BALLOT
3.  You are on probation, or house arrest; or are a released parolee, and that probation, or house arrest, or released parolee status is either for a felony, or a misdemeanor.
4.  If you have traffic tickets, owe child support, and have any situation of that nature.

ARE YOU PERMITTED TO WEAR BUTTONS, TEE-SHIRTS, ETC., REGARDING A PARTICULAR CANDIDATE?
In Philadelphia the answer is YES.  You are permitted to "endorse" a candidate by (PASSIVELY) wearing buttons, tee-shirts, etc.; but you must immediately leave the polling place after you vote.
Your are not permitted to "electioneer" for a candidate by (ACTIVELY) campaigning near the polling place.  

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
Attorney Michael Coard - 215.552.8714
The ACLU - 215.592.1513
THE COMMITTEE OF SEVENTY: 215.557.3600  

Print this out and share it with your friends, neighbors, associates, etc. 
For those of you in the other states of

Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon

 SOMEBODY CALL THEM AND TELL THEM TO WAKE UP, TIME TO VOTE NOW!!!  NO SLACKING THIS IS JOB ONE!!!
NOW THAT YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?
Stay Blessed & 
ECLECTICALLY BLACK 
Gloria www.gloriadulanwilson.blogspot.com/ECLECTICALLY BLACK NEWS 



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