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Jazz 91.9 WCLK | Membership Matters

The Local Take Talks Civic Engagement with Ray McClendon from NAACP-Atlanta

This week on WCLK's The Local Take(Saturdays 8am), I reached out to the Chairman of Political Action at NAACP Atlanta, Ray McClendon. The Georgia Legislature is about to open for the 2021 session. After recent elections in Georgia with record participation, the Governor and other top state republicans are talking about changes to the absentee voting rules and returning to our reputation as the Voter Suppression State.  

 
I ask McClendon about the legislature's opening and the talk about taking away absentee voting on demand, which has been in place since 2005. He says that this will be the focus of the legislative season even though we are dealing with a pandemic and economic crises. He explains that until 2016, most people voting absentee were Republicans.  In 2016 the numbers began to switch with more Democrats beginning to vote early and via absentee ballot. 
 
McClendon speaks to the election being just one part of our civic engagement.  He encourages everyone who wants to keep early and absentee voting in place to reach out to their local representatives.  Make sure that your voice is being heard. Call, email, or send a letter stating that you want to continue having "No-Excuse Absentee Balloting." 
 
He speaks to the many people voting in the Georgia general election and run-off election being a victory for minority voters. This was an expansion of democracy and inclusion. 
For more information on NAACP Atlanta
For more information on Ray McClendon
To find your local representatives.