The deadline to register to vote in the November elections is Monday, October 8th. You can come to the MIRA office to register, or simply go to your local courthouse. If you are already registered to vote, you should double-check that you are registered in the correct precinct – if you have recently moved (even within the same neighborhood), you could be in a new precinct and will need to update your voter registration.

Much is at stake in the midterm elections. As this thoughtful essay from TIME explains, the racism that we see in today’s politics isn’t the result of Trump or his cronies. “(He) isn’t some nefarious character unlike anything we have seen before. He embodies the hatreds and fears that have been part of America’s politics since its founding and that erupt with every change in our society and world.” This is a moment when we must use our power at the polls to begin uprooting racist, inequitable leaders at the local and state level.

And keep your eye on races around the country – like those in Florida and Georgia, where for the first time in history, the Democratic Party nominees for Governor are black leaders (Andrew Gillium and Stacey Abrams), and in Maryland, where Ben Jealous is the Democratic nominee.

GET INVOLVED: Nsombi Lambright of the Mississippi NAACP is organizing volunteers for the Election Protection Project to ensure that all citizens are able to exercise their right to vote. 

In their effort to protect vote, they have a toll-free number, 888-601-VOTE, that allows citizens report any Election Day issues that they encounter. They will have a team of attorneys available to resolve election day issues. However, they are in need of volunteers to assist. Please get in touch with the MS NAACP if you are interested in volunteering.