ELECTION 2016 Volume 1 / Issue 1
“BUT THE GREATEST OF ALL THE MEANS … TO SECURE THE STABILITY OF CONSTITUTIONS … IS A SYSTEM OF EDUCATION SUITED TO THE CONSTITUTIONS” (POLITICS V VII 20). ARISTOTLE
2016 THE YEAR OF CHANGE Recent events across America reinforces one fact: Americans are ready for true change. Tired of doom and gloom divisive politics, now more than ever is the cry for democracy, justice, and reform repeated time and time again. Given the voting patterns of Americans, will change come? Let’s look at some hard facts: Latino eligible voters in the states: More than two-thirds of Hispanic eligible voters live in just six states— California, Texas, Florida, New York, Arizona and Illinois.
African-Americans and African Diaspora Eligible Voters (AAADEV) Among African-Americans and African Diaspora Eligible Voters participation declines in midterm elections. In the thirteen competitive states examined, the decline in voting among African-Americans and African Diaspora Eligible Voters between the 2008 presidential elections ranged from 10 to 29 percentage points. Midterm election turnout is significantly lower than presidential election turnout and AAADEV turnout will be less robust in midterm elections than in presidential elections. African Americans and African Diaspora Eligible Voters are sealing their fate of continued institutionalized bias if they do not participate in large numbers to cast their ballots in the upcoming 2016 general elections and midterm elections in 2018. America cannot afford to have a Republican controlled White House, Senate and House of Representatives. The types of individuals attracted to current rhetoric is the worse of what America has to offer and, as President Obama stated in his last State of the Union Address, “That’s why we need to reject any politics that targets people because of race or religion. This isn’t a matter of political correctness. It’s a matter of understanding what makes us strong. The world respects us not just for our arsenal; it respects us for our diversity and our openness and the way we respect every faith. His Holiness, Pope Francis, told this body from the very spot I stand tonight that “to imitate the hatred and violence of tyrants and murderers is the best way to take their place.” When politicians insult Muslims, when a mosque is vandalized, or a kid bullied, that doesn’t make us safer. That’s not telling it like it is. It’s just wrong. It diminishes us in the eyes of the world. It makes it harder to achieve our goals. And it betrays who we are as a country. “We the People.” Our Constitution begins with those three simple words, words we’ve come to recognize mean all the people, not just some; words that insist we rise and fall together.”
“A society which fails to ‘asumpsit tuas responsabilitates’ of the dangers lurking in the hearts of a few, singlehandedly destroy all that humanity has strived to achieve...” – Shirley Holden DON’T JUST GET THE PICTURE, PAINT IT! 2016 Election Schedule and Registration Deadlines GENERAL PRIMARY ELECTION March 15, 2016 Last day to register to vote February 16, 2016 Grace Period Registration and Voting First Day February 17, 2016 Last Day March 15, 2016 Early Voting for Primary First Day February 4, 2016 Last Day March 14, 2016 GENERAL ELECTION November 8, 2016 – PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION Last day to register to vote October 11, 2016 Grace Period Registration and Voting First Day October 12, 2016 Last Day November 8, 2016 Early Voting for Election First Day September 29, 2016