‘Our vote is our voice’: Souls to the Polls event hopes to increase Black voter turnout

Dressed in their Sunday best and 'Black Voters Matter' T-shirts, more than 500 citizens of Gainesville's Black community joined together in music and educational celebration to incentivize others to perform their civic duty — voting.

On the last day of early voting, Nov. 3, the Alachua County Branch of the NAACP, the Community Impact Corporation, African American Accountability Alliance and other cultural organizations hosted Souls to the Polls — a historic community tradition meant to educate Black voters on local and national candidates.

To do this, both incumbent and first-time local candidates were invited to campaign and share their beliefs.

Those present included Alachua sheriff candidates Chad Scott and Pamela Anderson, State Attorney candidate Brian Kramer, State Senator candidate Sylvain Doré, Supervisor of Elections Kim Barton and others.

Black voter turnout for early voting was lower than expected, especially with so many Black candidates on the ballot, including Scott and Anderson.

"In the Black precincts, we weren't where we should be," said Evelyn Foxx, Alachua County Branch NAACP President. "We're hoping we could reach 75% of the African American vote."

So far in Alachua County, 32% of Black voters have cast their early voting ballot, 1% less than the state-wide average of 33%, according to Fresh Take Florida .

The NAACP hopes to reach this three-quarters vote on Election Day, as some people will only vote on Nov. 5, Foxx said.

Cultural organizations like the NAACP and African American Accountability Alliance shared their endorsements with attendees through physical copies outlining who to vote for. While some organizations differed in preferred local election candidates, a common denominator was Kamala Harris for president.

"It's not all 100% agreement on things," vice chair of Alachua County Democrats Jay Maggio said.

But, despite the number of candidates at the event, no Republicans showed up, he said.

Historically, Alachua County has voted Democrat, he said.

Along with candidates, former lead singer of Sounds of Blackness Anna Nesby performed, exciting attendees about the importance of voting.

The event also worked to include young future voters with popcorn, cotton candy and a bounce house.

"If you come out, we'll feed you hot Sunday supper and provide entertainment, but also invite the candidates to come," pastor and founder of Community Impact Corporation Karl Anderson said.

After attending, residents could walk directly into the Supervisor of Elections office and cast their vote, Anderson said.

"Our vote gives us power," he said. "Our vote is our voice."

Voting is especially important in this election where so many big-ticket amendments are on the ballot, said Veita Jackson-Carter, president of the Gainesville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta.

"This is the most consequential election of our time, not just at the presidential election, but the impact starts in our communities," she said. "We're not voting just for now, we're voting for the future."

Delphine Jackson, who came to the event straight after her Sunday morning service at Greater Bethel AME Church, said she is excited to vote on Amendment 4, a pro-choice policy, in such a high-stakes election.

"People need to know who to vote for — what to vote for," she said.