Voter Suppression. What comes to mind whenever you hear that term? For me, it conjures up the ghostly images of Jim Crow; burning crosses, attack dogs, and insane voting tests. For these "modern" times, I think of those voting machines that switch the vote.
I don't know why I expect the blatant signs. Even though I've grown up in the South where civilized folks express their "distaste" for certain people with genteel language. The "Southern Code" really does exist and only true sons and daughters of the South understand it.
So why was I surprised to realize that I've been a victim of voter suppression-like activity. I'm not saying it was intentional. But it does make one wonder.
Today was my first time voting...ever. Not that I haven't wanted to in the past. I just couldn't. I registered to vote for the first time November of 1996 at the DMV. For some strange reason I never received my Voter's Registration Card. I registered again at the DMV in 2000. Guess what, I never got my card. I tried registering online in 2002 and...didn't get a card. In 2003 my mother inquired about my card and discovered that the Board of Elections had my card. I never did find out why it was never mailed to me. But I at least had my card. I missed the 2004 election (I can't remember why I missed that election). Which brings me to this general election.
Keep in mind, I received my card in 2003*, this is a 2008 election. 5 years, 2nd general election.
Today I went in for the early vote. Proudly whipped out my 5 year old card anxiously awaiting my turn to vote when...I was told I wasn't in the system. My name had been "purged" from the system. Another lady asked me when was the last time I voted. I told her it was my first and then she was kind enough to inform me that people are purged when they miss two general elections. I looked at her and said "I didn't get my card until 2003. I've only missed one election." She gave me this blank look, and I started reaching for my cell phone, preparing to call three of those 800 numbers for voting problems.
Fortunately (for them) I didn't have to call anyone. They got me back in the system, and I voted. All in all it took about 25 minutes. After 10 years, I'd finally cast my vote.
I admit I am partly to blame, missing the 2004 election (I still can't remember why, but I'm sure it was a good reason). But I'm sure that most of the fault falls on the local election board. Why was I never mailed a card in 1996, 2000, or 2003? Normal protocol does not require one to go and personally pick up their registration card. What made me so different? I can understand how some things happen...but I slipped through the cracks three times. COUNT THEM! 1, 2, 3 Times. That can't be normal.
The fact that no one wanted to acknowledge that I'd only received my card in 2003. The woman waiting on me couldn't be bothered to say sorry for your trouble when she finally gave me a new card. Matter of fact, she acted as though it was my fault I'd been purged and was imposing on her for exercising my right to vote. That was more telling than the fact I'd been purged (after fighting for a registration card for eight years) and never notified.
I realized I learned a valuable lesson today as I walked back to the car from the Old Court House; trying to ignore the Confederate flags that adorn the Redneck Shop** right across the street. We're not where we used to be, but we sure have a long way to go.
* I was enrolled in college 1997-1999 (TX) and 2000-2003 (NC)
** The Redneck Shop is a Confederate Museum and Klan Memorabilia Store
I don't know why I expect the blatant signs. Even though I've grown up in the South where civilized folks express their "distaste" for certain people with genteel language. The "Southern Code" really does exist and only true sons and daughters of the South understand it.
So why was I surprised to realize that I've been a victim of voter suppression-like activity. I'm not saying it was intentional. But it does make one wonder.
Today was my first time voting...ever. Not that I haven't wanted to in the past. I just couldn't. I registered to vote for the first time November of 1996 at the DMV. For some strange reason I never received my Voter's Registration Card. I registered again at the DMV in 2000. Guess what, I never got my card. I tried registering online in 2002 and...didn't get a card. In 2003 my mother inquired about my card and discovered that the Board of Elections had my card. I never did find out why it was never mailed to me. But I at least had my card. I missed the 2004 election (I can't remember why I missed that election). Which brings me to this general election.
Keep in mind, I received my card in 2003*, this is a 2008 election. 5 years, 2nd general election.
Today I went in for the early vote. Proudly whipped out my 5 year old card anxiously awaiting my turn to vote when...I was told I wasn't in the system. My name had been "purged" from the system. Another lady asked me when was the last time I voted. I told her it was my first and then she was kind enough to inform me that people are purged when they miss two general elections. I looked at her and said "I didn't get my card until 2003. I've only missed one election." She gave me this blank look, and I started reaching for my cell phone, preparing to call three of those 800 numbers for voting problems.
Fortunately (for them) I didn't have to call anyone. They got me back in the system, and I voted. All in all it took about 25 minutes. After 10 years, I'd finally cast my vote.
I admit I am partly to blame, missing the 2004 election (I still can't remember why, but I'm sure it was a good reason). But I'm sure that most of the fault falls on the local election board. Why was I never mailed a card in 1996, 2000, or 2003? Normal protocol does not require one to go and personally pick up their registration card. What made me so different? I can understand how some things happen...but I slipped through the cracks three times. COUNT THEM! 1, 2, 3 Times. That can't be normal.
The fact that no one wanted to acknowledge that I'd only received my card in 2003. The woman waiting on me couldn't be bothered to say sorry for your trouble when she finally gave me a new card. Matter of fact, she acted as though it was my fault I'd been purged and was imposing on her for exercising my right to vote. That was more telling than the fact I'd been purged (after fighting for a registration card for eight years) and never notified.
I realized I learned a valuable lesson today as I walked back to the car from the Old Court House; trying to ignore the Confederate flags that adorn the Redneck Shop** right across the street. We're not where we used to be, but we sure have a long way to go.
* I was enrolled in college 1997-1999 (TX) and 2000-2003 (NC)
** The Redneck Shop is a Confederate Museum and Klan Memorabilia Store
