The Black community has not historically voted in low numbers. Voter turnout has steadily declined within recent history.

Focusing on Detroit, we have higher turnout during presidential elections that we do for our local elections.

However, it’s so easy to get elected to office in the city of Detroit that for some positions, if you knock on enough doors you are guaranteed to be elected.

Some state reps can get elected for less than 5,000 votes (sometimes far less). This is less persons than used to attend our high schools such as Cass Tech, Redford High, Cooley and other schools in the city.

The obstacle is not convincing voters to vote for you, its convincing voters to vote.

If you want change in your community, you must vote.

This was evident in the election of Detroit’s first Black mayor. Coleman Young did not win by a landslide. People wanted change. Black folks had enough of the white males running Detroit. Since those election cycles, voters have reduced in their zeal for voting. But the problems that caused people to put Young into office are back in the city of Detroit. This is not due to complacency; this is due solely to a constant messaging discouraging the Black community from voting. The same forces that seek to stop voters in Georgia and across the country are working here in the city of Detroit.

Our own city clerk is quoted as saying she does not need to provide voter notification; the ballot is sufficient. Why does our city clerk, Janice Winfrey – who runs city elections, not want you to vote!