We interviewed Atlanta PWN member Joyce Hampton and ally LaTonya Roby about their role in helping out voters at the polls on the day of the Georgia primary.
Q. You all have been committed to ensuring that Georgians have access to voting, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. You shopped for snacks, water, masks, and other things for voters in line. Why did you decide to put your health at risk so others could vote?
A. We realize the importance of every election. There was no hesitation or question of what needed to be done and how. Both of us knew the importance of getting to the frontline to encourage and show support to the voters, and the importance of the 2020 elections. Yes, being safe and cautious during a pandemic is very important. We did the most valuable things: remained diligent, determined, masked up, put gloves on, said a prayer, and got it done.
Q. In a two-month period, you all have doubled the voters you’re in contact with (your voter universe). What activities have you all done to expand your voter universe? How do you intend to stay engaged with your lists?
A. We reached out to family, friends, and social media platforms to raise awareness. We got participants involved in also spreading the word and created a “Get Out To Vote” spinning wheel type of game. The names of the people who registered or committed to vote were placed on the wheel for a chance to win gift cards. We plan to continue to get new participants and also stay in touch with the current participants, encouraging all to spread the word about the importance of the November election.
Q. On the day of the primaries in Georgia from watching the news, you were inspired into action. Can you please tell us why you spent the day at nine different polling locations?
A. Voter suppression is real and in full effect; we wanted all voters at all voting locations not to get discouraged. The long lines and being turned away were enough to make some people feel that voting was not worth it. However, we got supplies to show unity and the importance of caring for one another and our place in this country. Our mission was to help voters feel more comfortable, if only for a moment, and to boost voter morale among the citizens of Georgia.
Q. Please tell us about the voter suppression tactics you witnessed on the day of the Georgia primaries. How did you encourage voters to practice their right to vote during such a stressful time?
A. It was on the news about the long lines, machines malfunctioning, and polls not opening on time. We met one Georgia voter who had been turned away from three polling places. There were two cars of new, young voters that were following her to the stations, but they gave up after the third time of being turned away. She was discouraged too but did not give up after an elderly couple at the last closed poll told her of a polling station at a church that was open till 10pm. She also told us of locked ballot boxes with Georgians’ ballots just lying on and around the box. Voters stood in the rain, heat, and other uncomfortable elements that day and night to cast their votes. There were several polling stations that didn’t have enough voting machines to keep the lines moving. It was reported on the news just this week that the last of the ballots had just been counted. The urgency and importance of getting a better plan and system in place before the November election is key.Q. In your own words, tell us how you feel the work has been worth all the effort.
A. Joyce: Knowing that we have accomplished so much in such a short time, even in a pandemic, is a good thing. I feel those accomplishments are awesome. However, I also realize that there is much more that can and needs to be done to reach voters and decrease the possibilities of further voter suppression. Raising more awareness and involvement to keep the morale and the value of encouragement of the voters all over the U.S. are important. We express our gratitude to PWN for providing us with the gift cards so that we were able to purchase the supplies we gave out to the voters on June 9.LaTonya: What we experienced visiting nine polling locations (in Dekalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett Counties) in various stages of distress all had one thing in common: They had people putting their lives in danger during a pandemic in order to exercise their right to engage in the franchise. No one should have to risk their lives to vote period, full stop. We have a mechanism, mail-in ballots, that will allow Americans to cast their votes safely. Mail-in ballots/vote by mail is providing for the common defense that is owed to “We The People.” Our collective mission should be to mandate vote by mail for all.
