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Send 'Status quo no mo' rally highlights free photo ID, convicted felon registration information
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'Status quo no mo' rally highlights free photo ID, convicted felon registration information
Posted: 3:45 PM May 14, 2012
Reporter: Chris Thomas
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News 12 at 6 o'clock / Monday, May 14, 2012
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Status quo no mo. That is the word from an Augusta commissioner when it comes to your government. A new group is pushing you to get out and vote.
"This rally is a call for action," declared Commissioner Alvin Mason. "Not a protest."
More than 100 people rallied at the John H. Ruffin Jr. courthouse after an extensive media campaign pushing a get out the vote message.
"This event is all about education, registration and mobilization," said local radio personality Miss Monique in an ad on local stations. "We ask you to pledge your time and bring two people with you."
Lenisha Wear came with her brother and her pastor.
"I really enjoyed the rally," Wear said. "We gotta get out there and vote. If you haven't registered yet, you need to register now."
"You've got over 80,000 blacks, whites, Hispanics, Asians and others that do not participate in this process," Mason said. "That's a shame."
The voter registration rally is meant to open the door to 10,000 new voters and arm them with information. Mason reminded voters the Richmond County Board of Elections will take a free photo ID for people who do not have a Georgia driver's license. The photo must be used for voting only. He also reached out to former convicted felons.
"Once they have finished serving their sentence and they are off parole or probation, and they've paid their fine," said Lynn Bailey, director of the Board of Elections. "Once they have completely finished their sentence, then they are certainly eligible to re-register to vote. They would be treated no differently than anyone else."
Members of the 10,000 New Voices Committee are joining forces with the NAACP to spread the word.
"This is not about race; it's about what is right," said Charles Smith with the Augusta NAACP. "The NAACP is going to register 4,000 people between now and the Nov. 6 election."
Leaders are convinced there is power in numbers.
"Status quo ... no mo. No mo status quo," cried Mason to applause. "That's not going to work anymore."
The deadline to register for the July 31 primary is Monday, July 2. The deadline for November is Tuesday, Oct. 9.
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