My mother became a citizen this year and the first thing she did was register to vote. She has been very excited. She has been passing out campaign literature, and offering to drive people to the polls on election day “Unless they are voting for Bush then they can walk”. She has gotten fiery about the election. Last night she came looking for me at the Columbus ACT office where I was working. She had received phone calls last night telling her to be prepared to be challenged at the polls. The Republicans are trying to place “Challengers” at every polling place to challenge anyone they don’t think should be voting.
My mother is afraid that they are going to keep her from voting. She is afraid of the racism, she is afraid that because she is brown, and has an accent she will be targeted.
Even, if I didn’t agree with her that she probably will be targeted just by threatening to have challengers at the polls the republican party has already scared off minority voters. This does not ensure democracy.
My mother asked me to go with her to help her vote. I can’t because I am working as an interpreter for Project Vote attorneys on election day. I’ve told her to call me if anything happens and then I’ll go down with her.
If anyone isn’t volunteering on election day and wants to do one little but important thing, would you be willing to go with my mom to the polls in Upper Arlington?