Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee hosted a press conference outside the Palm Center off Griggs Road, to kick off Houston’s first National Voter Registration Day on September 25, 2012.

Congresswoman Lee launched the event by letting the crowd know first and foremost voting is about winning. In the center of a sea of people, Lee showed much enthusiasm that could only be rivaled by the Houston Rocket cheerleaders whom stood to her left and right.

After a kick-off cheer by the cheerleaders, Lee, encouraged Houstonians to remember what to love about being American and how great it is to have the right to vote. Eight sites were set up around Houston to make registration easy for Houstonians who are busy working, going to school and taking care of their families.

As the press conference went on voting registration drives were taking place all over Houston. Right behind Congresswoman Lee, on the second floor of the Precinct 7 County Court Annex in Judge Zinetta Burney’s courtroom, voter registration was set up from 11am to 1pm for voters to come out and register. The process was made easier as voters could drop their registration off downstairs on their way out instead of mailing it in. Other locations were Mount Sinai Baptist Church, Fallbrook Church, Acres Home Multi-Service Center, St. John’s Church on Dowling, St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, Mount Hebron Baptist Church, and Pleasanthill Baptist Church.

“The right to vote is precious. The right to due process is a constitutional right. If you do not exercise your right to vote your right to due process is limited,” said Congresswoman Lee. “So today I come with a great deal of concern about the nation’s effort to do a systemic and possibly illegal voter purging around America and certainly in the state of Texas.”

Lee made an effort to reassure voters that the voter registration drives are non-partisan, non-racial and non-classism. She also went on to educate the crowd about changes that were being made in voting rights that could leave people wondering why they can’t vote come election time.

The Congresswoman reminded the crowd that 300,000 ballot voters were notified that they would be removed from voting between 2008 and 2010. But she also wanted noted that it was now 2012 and had those voters been re- registered. Lee went on to rally that all were present to fight to ensure that those voters know that there is a place to go to register.

“Approximately 2 percent of voting age citizens in the country and more than 20 million people do not have a voter id,” said Congresswoman Lee. “A voter id impacts everyone. One vote, one person.”

The issue of the death notices that went out in Harris County was addressed as well. After much protest and petitioning the Tax Assessor’s office held off the purging of those 9,000 persons. This decision is still under review by the Department of Justice, according to Lee. But this lay-over will still allow for the processing of legal and legitimate voter registration cards.

We challenge the tax assessors to keep doing their service and let voter registration be processed for early voting and for voting on November 6th,” said Congresswoman Lee. “Voters are very much alive and shouldn’t be turned away to vote.”

Following the Congresswoman’s rally speech, various organizational leaders were called up to speak such as Dr. Grant Malone, the Link Sisters President Carolyn Caldwell, Urban League President Judson Robinson, Carolyn Miller, representing Kashmere High School Alumni and many more. While Constable Mae Walker showed up in support, State Senator Rodney Ellis and County Commissioner El Franco Lee’s staff came out as well to help join in the efforts to get Houstonians registered to vote.
There was a strong presence of youth and young adult voters who shared the desire to register voters as Fana Vincent, the Community Project Facilitator for Texans Together, had his staffers handing out fliers for his voter’s rally that would be held later on in the evening.

“I’ve seen the complaints from AARP voters whom ballads have been thrown away and have been sent death notices. It’s important that we get organized so people know they have a place to go register and vote,” said Joy Jackson, an organizer from Texans Together. “I think it’s important that they called this press conference so we can let people know we are behind voter’s rights. We have to understand this is not the end all and we have to keep accountable to vote.”

With lots of cheers, singing and rally speeches by community leaders from all over Houston, Congresswoman Lee officially kicked off Houston’s National Voter Registration day. Every side and demographic of Houston was addressed and serviced that day by one of those eight locations.

In addition to Houston other states such as Kansas City, MO., Atlanta, GA., Dallas, TX, Alameda County, CA., Columbia, S.C., Cleveland, OH., Ft. Lauderdale, FL., and Chicago, IL. joined in for National Voter Registration Day.

The last day to register to vote is 0ctober 9, 2012. The first day to early vote is October 22, 2012 and ends November 2, 2012. Election Day is November 6, 2012. Exercise your right to vote, it is your constitutional right.
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