A public service announcement by: S. Clinton, S. Dennis, N. Gordon, B. Kincaid, D. Lewis, and J. Shillingford.
If you want to vote, important deadlines are fast approaching.
On the 28th of August 2019, we celebrated the 56th anniversary of the iconic “I have a dream” speech masterfully presented by the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This remarkable leader reminds us that now is the time to make real the promise of democracy. Dr. King says, “Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.
“It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of this moment.”
Choosing to not exercise your right to vote is in fact overlooking the importance and urgency of this moment to actively select the next governing body that will work in the interest of all people.
With this in mind, we the students in the Master of Public Administration program, PA505, are sharing vital information to assist you with the voting process.
The following are important dates for the Oct. 12, 2019 – Gubernatorial Primary Election and the Nov. 16, 2019 – Gubernatorial General Election, as provided by the Office of the Louisiana Secretary of State.
Oct. 12, 2019
Gubernatorial Primary Election
– The deadline to register to vote in person or by mail is Sept. 11.
– The deadline to register to vote through the GeauxVote Online Registration System is Sept. 21.
– Early voting is Sept. 28-Oct. 5 (except Sunday, Sept. 29) from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
– The deadline to request an absentee by mail ballot is Oct. 8 by 4:30 p.m. You can request an absentee by mail ballot online through the Louisiana Secretary of State Voter Portal or in writing through your Registrar of Voters Office (other than military and overseas voters).
– The deadline for a registrar of voters to receive a voted mail ballot is Oct. 11 by 4:30 p.m. (other than military and overseas voters).
Nov. 16, 2019
Gubernatorial General Election
– The deadline to register to vote in person or by mail is Oct. 16.
– The deadline to register to vote through the GeauxVote Online Registration System is Oct. 26.
– Early voting is Nov. 2-9 (except Sunday, Nov. 3) from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
– The deadline to request an absentee by mail ballot is Nov. 12 by 4:30 p.m. You can request an absentee by mail ballot online through our Voter Portal or in writing through your Registrar of Voters Office (other than military and overseas voters).
– The deadline for a registrar of voters to receive a voted mail ballot is Nov. 15 by 4:30 p.m. (other than military and overseas voters).
Dr King stated in his “I have a dream” speech, we cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and the Negro in New York believes he has nothing to vote for.”
Today, you should vote because you want to, because the future of your children depend on it, and because you need political leaders who can lead with the maturity, and soundness that you deserve.
“As we have become veterans of creative suffering, we should continue to labor with the unseen forces, that will redeem the souls that have been beaten down by injustice, and the mournfulness behavior of others.”
It would be detrimental to the future of our most prized possessions, (our children) if we did not awaken the spirit of those who don’t seek the knowledge of how important it is that we practice our right to vote.