Georgia Black Women’s Roundtable Launches “Overload the Polls” With Early Voting Push, Free Rides to Vote and Election Protection
Atlanta kickoff also marks the Georgia launch of the nine-state Power of the Sister Vote GOTV & Democracy Defense Tour
ATLANTA — The Georgia Black Women’s Roundtable, the women’s initiative of the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda (People’s Agenda), brought together Black women leaders, voting rights advocates and community organizations Tuesday to launch “Overload the Polls,” a statewide voter mobilization effort encouraging Georgians to vote early and providing assistance to voters through Election Day. Held at the C.T. Martin Natatorium & Recreation Center, the press conference also served as the Georgia launch of the nine-state Black Women’s Roundtable Power of the Sister Vote GOTV & Democracy Defense Tour, a national effort focused on voter participation and protecting access to the ballot.
“We are here for all of the members of the Georgia Black Women’s Roundtable to say that we’re going to Overload the Polls,” said Helen Butler, executive director of the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda and convener of the Georgia Black Women’s Roundtable. “We are launching events across the state from today until Election Day to urge people to vote early or on Tuesday, Nov. 3. And if you need a free ride to the polls anywhere in the state, call 877-524-8683.”
The People’s Agenda maintained a presence from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the C.T. Martin polling location, providing voter assistance and information on identification requirements and voters’ rights. The coalition’s Election Protection team will continue to be stationed at voting sites through Election Day to help resolve problems and provide information about provisional ballots.
“It’s no mistake that we’re here in Atlanta launching our nine-state Power of the Sister Vote campaign with our Georgia partners,” said Melanie L. Campbell, president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and national convener of the Black Women’s Roundtable. “There is so much going on in our country and so many people who want to make sure the Black and Brown vote doesn’t show up. We have over 40 national and state-based organizations that have come together to organize and make sure our votes get counted.”
Calling on young voters to participate, internationally recognized youth leader and CEO of RISE, Mary Pat Hector, said, “Young voters were here last election and we are here to encourage voters to show up to vote early and make history again.”
The importance of every ballot was underscored by former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. “Elections are won and lost on a few votes,” Franklin said. “In my election, it was a difference of 183 votes. It was these sisters and their families, their labor organizations and their neighbors that made those 183 votes. When folks say your vote doesn’t count, I’m living witness that it does count.”
HBCU students were also challenged to participate. Felicia Davis of the HBCU Green Fund and Black Women’s Roundtable said, “Before I showed up here to be a part of the Power of the Sister Vote national tour and Georgia Black Women’s Roundtable’s Overload the Polls launch this morning, I voted in Clayton County. Now I’m sending a message out to all HBCU students: Y’all have got to not only turn out, you’ve got to turn up, because when you move, we move, just like that.”
Speaking to concerns affecting older voters, Sue Ross, a member of Nature Girls Vote, commented, “We are a group of senior citizens and we want you to know that we are affected by these high gas prices, these high food prices and threats to democracy.”
Other organizations represented at the polling location included the Economic Justice Coalition, GA Black Youth Vote, Black Voters Matter, Georgia Legislative Black Caucus and additional community partners.
Overload the Polls will continue mobilizing voters, providing voter education and offering Election Protection across Georgia through Election Day on Nov. 3. Upcoming events include stops in Athens, Greensboro, Monroe, Elberton and Rome, culminating in Parties at the Polls on Election Day. Voters who experience problems can call or text the free, nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).
Following its launch in Georgia, the national Power of the Sister Vote Tour will continue to Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Mississippi and South Carolina.
Deborah Scott of Georgia STAND-UP closed the press conference with a call-and-response: “When our rights are under attack, what should we do?”
The energetic crowd responded: “Stand up, fight back and vote!”
PEOPLE’S AGENDA/GEORGIA BLACK WOMEN’S ROUNDTABLE (thepeoplesagenda.org)
Founded by the late civil rights leader Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, the organization is led by board chair Rev. J. A. Milner, the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to year-round voter registration, education and mobilization in communities throughout Georgia. It operates from its Atlanta headquarters with offices in Athens, Albany, Macon, Augusta, LaGrange and Savannah. The organization’s women’s initiative, Georgia Black Women’s Roundtable, is an affiliate of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation’s Black Women’s Roundtable.
NATIONAL COALITION ON BLACK CIVIC PARTICIPATION (ncbcp.org)
For 50 years, the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) has been a leading advocate for the rights and empowerment of Black and underserved communities. Through its programs and initiatives, NCBCP works to expand civic engagement, strengthen economic opportunity, protect voting rights and ensure equitable representation at every level of government. For more information, visit www.ncbcp.org.