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Pump Up The Vote

by Ariela Martin | Oct 5, 2012 2:57 pm

(1) Comment | Commenting has been closed | E-mail the Author

Ariela Martin Photo Can Connecticut stop a 20-year decline and get more people registered and voting in time for the November election?

People who care about that—especially in cities—tackled that question Thursday night at a forum at the Peoples Center on Howe Street.

First they heard some striking details about the problem courtesy of Secretary of the State Denise Merrill. She brought along a study her office did on voting and public participation in the state. The numbers were bleak, especially in black and Latino communities.

The meeting took place at the People’s Center on Howe Street, where nearly 30 citizens gathered to listen to the panel discussion and voice their opinions and concerns. The panel consisted of community activists and leaders, Amos Smith, Angel Fernández-Chavero, and Orlando Rodriguez, with Kim Hynes as the moderator of the discussion.

Click here tor ead Merrill’s study. The voting information begins on page 16.

Among the study’s findings:

• Only 46 percent of eligible voters from minority communities registered to vote in 2010. Only half of the 46 percent who registered actually went to the polls.

• Blacks and Latinos involve themselves in different communities and programs that affect them at a deeper and more personal level as opposed to being involved in the political process, where they feel a bigger disconnect. Many report they don’t find it as necessary and important to vote and engage themselves in politics.

In response, Smith, who runs Community Action Agency, suggested at Thursday’s forum “connect(ing the) election process to what matters in their neighborhood.”

“It’s not about the problem, but about the promise to our kids who are going to own America someday,” said Smith. “We owe our children to be engaged and involved.”

“We can make a difference if this election means something to us,” remarked Fernández-Chavero.

Ariela Martin, a student at Cooperative Arts & Humanities High School, is an Independent contributing reporter.

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posted by: Threefifths on October 7, 2012  4:29pm

Who said the people at this forum are community activists and leaders.Was a election held?

Only 46 percent of eligible voters from minority communities registered to vote in 2010. Only half of the 46 percent who registered actually went to the polls.

Maybe there Candidate is not running or the Candidate who is runing is not speaking for them.Bring in Proportional Representation and more people will come out.

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