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'Activate Mississippi' aims to boost voter engagement, education

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Thursday, October 12, 2023   

Ahead of the Nov. 7 general election, an advocacy group aims to expand voter education and engagement throughout Mississippi.

The Magnolia State has a history of low voter turnout. In 2022, only 32% of the state's voting population exercised their right to vote.

Waikinya Clanton, Mississippi state office director for the Southern Poverty Law Center, said the Activate Mississippi Defenders of Democracy campaign introduces teens and college students to the multiple layers of civic engagement. The campaign featured the publication of a comic book, coin-design contest and events at colleges and universities throughout Mississippi, with a particular focus on the campuses of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

"We went to five colleges and universities here in Mississippi," Clanton outlined. "We started out at Tougaloo College, here in Jackson. We went to Mississippi Valley State University. We went to Alcorn State University, Rust College in the University of Southern Mississippi to talk to young people about the upcoming election and what they could do to be involved in the process."

Clanton explained Defenders of Democracy serves as an education tool to inform voters of the recent changes to legislation and to alert them of any potential challenges they may experience when going to vote.

As Election Day draws nearer, Clanton pointed out the campaign is recruiting poll workers. She emphasized it is important for students to be aware of the critical issues on the ballot that officials - who are essentially interviewing for a job right now - will affect.

"It's not just about a candidate, it's about your cause," Clanton stressed. "If your cause is climate change, if it is voter integrity, bodily autonomy or health care, education, these are the things that you need to be paying attention to heading into this election."

Clanton said while they provide voter education and resources to students, they partnered with the organization Mississippi Votes for voter registration on the campuses. She added the students will be hosting a text-a-thon Oct. 24, providing additional voter information. Voting hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.


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