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Elections 2002 American Muslim community urged to register as voters and go out to vote NEWARK, CA - Oct. 13, 2002 The American Muslim Alliance (AMA), a civic education national organization with 97 chapters in 34 states, has urged its activists and supporters to step up their campaign to register American Muslim voters for the November 5 general election and get at least 85% registered Muslim voters to vote. The AMA Election 2002 Action Plan entitled “our vote is still the best guarantee of our civil rights,” called on the Muslim community to organize Muslim bloc vote in key states (where change in voting patterns can affect the standing of the two main parties in the US Senate) and in key races (which are likely to have an impact on the ideological composition of the congress in relation to civil rights and global peace). The AMA suggested that all those candidates who support civil rights for all and provide equal access to all Americans should be supported. “Also, whose candidacies provide us an opportunity to build coalitions with other ethnic and religious communities and likeminded civic groups. Though our main focus should be on protecting and promoting civil rights for all but, at the same time, we should not forget other important issues like education, ecology, energy, economy, social security, affordable housing and health care, community development, and matters pertaining to family values and social justice.” The AMA pointed out that though the deadlines to register to vote vary from state to state, there is still time to register another 10,000 Muslim American voters in at least 30 states. In the coming weeks, until November 5, AMA Chapters and other Muslim organizations should spend at least 25% of their organizational energies and resources on voter registration, education, and voter mobilization. About the absentee ballot, that must be filled out prior to the election, the AMA said that application deadlines vary from state to state. “We must provide the convenience of absentee balloting to involve and empower those Muslim Americans who for want of time, transportation, and requisite information are otherwise least likely to vote.” Other features of the AMA Election Action Plan are: Voter Mobilization: To ensure at least 85% Muslim voter turnout, organize Get-Out-To-Vote Committees in your immediate vicinity. These committees should remind people before and on the day of the election to go out and vote, provide transportation for those who need it, and encourage community members to car pool while going to vote. Support Pro Civil Rights Candidates: You can support these candidates by voting for them, working in their campaigns, and donating money. The campaign work could include phone banking, precinct walking, researching, fundraising, and setting up outreach meetings with members of Muslim and Arab communities. Also, provide financial support for American Muslim candidates who are running for public offices. Organize Muslim Bloc Vote in Key States: Bloc vote refers to a situation in which a dominant majority - at least 70% - of a community votes for a specific issue or candidate. In 2002 we must vote for a ‘Civil Rights Plus’ agenda. To that end, we must organize Muslim bloc vote for the senate and / or gubernatorial races in key states. Key states are those states where change in voting patterns can affect standing of the two main parties in the US Senate. These include: New Jersey, Florida, Missouri, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, California, Colorado, Arkansas, and Minnesota. The bloc vote must be organized through mutual discussion and consensus among local organizations and activists. Voter Literacy: The AMA also stressed the importance of ballot literacy and described the following method to provide ballot education: 1. Download a copy of the ballot from your secretary of state’s and / or the county election office’s web site. (Or get hard copies from their offices.) 2. Photocopy these ballots or have them enlarged to poster size. 3. Hold one or more public meetings of community members and walk them through the entire ballot. Explain each item and provide background information about each candidate. (Or at least the candidates for key offices). 4. Conduct a straw poll of community’s perceptions and preferences. Use this input to generate an election advisory. Document and publicize American Muslim Vote: 1. Hold an exit / post-exit poll of Muslim voters. 2. Summarize and publicize results of exist / post exist poll. Also, indicate the extent to which candidates supported by the Muslim community have been successful. Communicate these results to Muslim and mainstream media in a press release. (Abdus Sattar Ghazali) |