Blacks in Florida must vote in 2014 with facts and their heart

Blacks in Florida must vote in 2014 with facts and their heart

By Roger Caldwell

     It is less than two weeks and the Florida general election will be history. This is the mid-term election and traditionally Black Folks don’t vote, because they don’t understand the importance of every election. The mid-term election impacts everyone in our community, and we must be educated and aware of the candidates that are running for office.

To start off, the governor of Florida is selected by the residents during the mid-term election, and there are gubernatorial debates and numerous articles to learn about their platform. The winner of this race will determine the direction and the administration’s policy for the next four years. Many Black folks will complain about the governor’s policies, but many registered African Americans are too apathetic to show up at the ballot to vote.

There are 2.3 million Black folks registered to vote in Florida, and if 80 percent of 2.3 million vote, there would be 1.8 million voting Democrats. If 80 percent of Black folks voted in every election, both candidates would spend time and resources to win the African American vote.

Also during the mid-term elections, the state’s leadership cabinet is voted for, and that includes, the Governor, the Attorney General, The Chief Financial Officer, and the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. These positions are extremely powerful in the state, and they impact residents almost every day with their decisions.

Florida Black voters should have no excuses for not participating in the election in 2014. Deidre McNab, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida says, “The key to our state’s future is in every voter’s hands. Critical issues are at stake from the Governor’s race to our next Legislature. From clean water, to quality schools, to jobs, affordable healthcare, and candidates have very different visions and ideas.”

If over 80 percent of the 2.3 million registered Black folks vote in this election, we will change the direction and landscape of the Democratic Party in the state of Florida. The Florida Democratic Party will respect the power of the Black vote and Black politics. Black candidates will no longer beg the Florida Democratic Party for funding; instead the Democratic donors will stand in line, because they understand that Black political leaders deliver.

Now is the time for Black Florida Voters to act, and deliver at the polls in 2014. If 1.8 million Black folks in Florida vote in the 2014 election, the Democrats will sweep the election, because Democrats would vote down the ballot.

Early voting starts Monday, October 20, 2014 and voters can simply call their Supervisor of Elections and ask to receive a mail-in ballot. For Election Day check out your correct polling location and make sure you know where to cast your ballot.

Black voters should take the time to learn about the 3 statewide amendments that will be on the ballot and study the candidate’s position. The Democrats operate with compassion, and they understand that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) should be implemented in Florida. Florida needs Charlie Crist, and Charlie needs his team to change the direction of politics in Florida.