Why should you cast your vote on August 18, 2020 for George Odom Jr., for Circuit Court Judge, Group 16? Here are some reasons why. Minorities make up roughly 36 percent of the county’s population. However, Black judges make up less than 10 percent on the bench. So, what if you’re not a numbers person? Here are some other reasons you should vote for George Odom on August 18, 2020. Minorities statistically speaking suffer the most when it comes to over incarceration, bias sentencing policies, excessive juvenile detention, voter disenfranchisement due to incarceration and multiple collateral consequences due to unfair treatment in the judicial system. Justice is not blind and a judiciary that continues to lack diversity will continue to lead to unjust results. How do we curb over incarceration of our youth? Why is such a large percent of our community in prison or on probation? Should being poor stop people from the fundamental right to vote? Depending on who you ask will depend on what answers you receive. However, one thing is almost certain, a judge was or will be involved in some capacity of each of these critical questions or decisions. Society needs diverse Judges with sound real life experience and common sense coupled with legal experience. The disconnected can no longer serve the majority. Broward County’s population is made up of a vast group of citizens from different ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations and cultural histories. Diversity on the bench increases public trust, confidence and the appearance of fairness in the justice system, and it therefore increases access to justice. George Odom Jr. possesses these qualities and has the right experience to do the job. He is firm but fair, understanding that everyone should be afforded equal protection and fair administration of justice under the law. Vote for George Odom Jr. on August 18, 2020. I will.
Tina Teague
