Can we talk about race and elections? | Nick Maddox
Voting is the foundation of our democracy, but minorities have historically struggled for access to the ballot box. In recent years, more than 400 voter security bills have been introduced in 48 states. While these laws intend to protect voting systems, experts state that measures such as strict voter ID laws, restricted registration, and narrowed voting times disproportionately impact people of color, students, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
From policies like Florida’s Senate Bill-90 that restricts mail-in voting access to the gerrymandering of communities of color to misinformation trends, issues of voter access and security still exist and impact us today.
In partnership with The Village Square, Leon County Government plans to address these national divides and bring people together locally to have frank conversations on race, voting access and security through the seventh annual Created Equal.
This nationally recognized program will address one of the most fundamental rights in our country: voting. As part of the Club of Honest Citizens series, “Created Equal: A Conversation about Race in Our Elections” will be held on Thursday, May 26 at 5:30 p.m. at The Moon, 1105 E. Lafayette St.
.Created Equal encourages attendees to consider whether we all have equal access to our inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Having a secure and safe election is also important to a successful democracy. For instance, here in Leon County, our own Supervisor of Elections Mark Earley, through a partnership with the State Supervisor of Elections, supports the #TrustedInfo2022 campaign. The voter education campaign provides trusted sources of election information to guide Florida voters with reliable information.
As we move further into a digital world, it has become easier to surround ourselves with opinions that are similar only to our own. However, misinformation grows when we cannot speak candidly with our neighbors and those in our community about important issues. That’s why programs like Created Equal exist and continue to grow.
It’s extremely critical and important for us all to have real and tough conversations about issues we don't necessarily agree on, so that we can experience different perspectives and grow as both citizens and people. At events like Created Equal, community members can meet others with divergent opinions to talk and disagree but continue their conversations with respect.
At this year’s event, we are proud to welcome local and statewide experts on elections, race, and civil rights including Florida A&M University’s Keith Parker, University of Florida’s Sharon Austin, and Florida State University’s Michael Morley. It will be facilitated by Tom Flanigan from WFSU Public Media.
These academic experts, community members, and advocates will address the questions: Are elections fair and secure for everyone? Should we be doing more?
I invite you to join us for dinner at 5:30 p.m. on May 26 before the discussion. I encourage each person to be the change they wish to see and actively engage the process by candidly sharing your thoughts and listening to the thoughts of others.
Visit LeonCountyFL.gov/CreatedEqual to meet the esteemed panel and register for “Created Equal: A Conversation about Race in Our Elections.”
Nick Maddox is an at-large member and vice chair of the Leon County Commission, who is seeking re-election. He is also chairman of the Blueprint 2020 board.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Send letters to the editor (up to 200 words) or Your Turn columns (about 500 words) to letters@tallahassee.com. Please include your address for verification purposes only, and if you send a Your Turn, also include a photo and 1-2 line bio of yourself. You can also submit anonymous Zing!s at Tallahassee.com/Zing. Submissions are published on a space-available basis. All submissions may be edited for content, clarity and length, and may also be published by any part of the USA TODAY NETWORK.