FALL 2020 VOTE 2020 Special Election EditionREGISTER TO VOTE: VotesPA.com/register CONTACT 5 FAMILY MEMBERS, CHURCH FRIENDS, AND SOCIAL MEDIA CONTACTS TO SAY: 2020 Non-Partisan Vote By Mail Project TALK MINORITY ACTION GROUP VOTING BY MAIL-IN BALLOT: Submit Application by 5pm Tuesday, October 27th Return Ballot by 8pm Tuesday, November 3rd 4. 5. Contact TMAG at 412.823.4007 – contact@talkminorityactiongroup.org Track your Ballot online at www.votespa.com. Visit www.votespa.com to Apply for a Mail-In Ballot 1. Make sure every member in your house is Registered to Vote. 2. If not, get them a Registration Form. Registration from Today to October 19, 2020. 3. Visit www.votespa.com to Register to Vote Online. If you need help, call your local county election office. Step 1 Apply online for the Application to Receive a Mail-In Ballot. Or Call Your County Election Office. Step 2 Check your email – they will let you know when they receive your application. Step 3 Next Track your Application online at www.votespa.com. Step 4 Complete Application for Mail-In Ballot and Mail back to your County Elections Office IMMEDIATELY. It Must be received no later than 5:00 pm on October 27, 2020. Step 5 Receive Your Mail-In Ballot and fill in each circle completely. Step 6 Completed Ballot goes into ballot envelope, seal it, put that envelope into the mailing envelope, make sure You Sign Outside Envelope and Mail to your County Election Office IMMEDIATELY. Step 7 Mail-In-Ballot must be back to your County Election Office no later than 8:00 pm on November 3, 2020. Election Day, November 3, 2020 7:00am to 8:00pm Election Protection Helplines: English—866.687.8683 Spanish—888.839.8682VOTE! PENNSYLVANIA Paid for by Pennsylvania Democratic Party - www.padems.com and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.• Register to vote • Check my registration • Get a mail-in ballot • Know your voting rights • Volunteer YOUR VOICE/YOUR VOTEYOUR VOICE/YOUR VOTE PAID FOR BY: PABlackVotesMatter.com “The vote is the most powerful, non-violent tool we have.” -—Rep. John Lewis (American Hero, Civil Rights Icon: February 21, 1940 - July 17, 2020) Your Voice does matter. Your vote does matter. Black Lives Matter. Black Votes Matter. Join us on our crusade to make our voices and our votes heard on November 3rd. Visit our website at PABlackVotesMatter.com At PABlackVotesMatter.com you can:PUBLISHER’S NOTES Whatever you do Vote November 3, 2020. Th ere is no question, no doubt, that this is a critical election. We are on the edge of losing the democratic experiment started hundreds of years ago with the current administration electing over 180 federal judges, 2 judges on the supreme court and the Attorney General of the United States, the peoples attorney working directly to protect unscrupulous actions of this administration, not the interests of We Th e People of the United States. Some polls show that black men will vote at a lower rate than black women, we don't think so. I don't know why people still try to put black men down, underestimate them, use propaganda, false advertising on social media, any means necessary to manipulate black men, but black men keep rising. Remember, black men and boys are dying in the streets and who will protect their rights. We can protect ourselves, use your voice – get up, get out and VOTE! Lesson learned, we did not vote in mass in 2016, like we did for President Obama, and you see what ended up in the White House. As we usually say, this is a Call to Action. Contact us if you have questions, we are here to uplift and empower our communities. Th e LJS Group / Talk Magazine / TMAG Luther J. Sewell, Jr. / Publisher Roxanne N. Sewell / President & Editor theLULAdesigns / Graphic Design & Layout Fiordaliza White / Contributing Writer PO Box 143 Monroeville, PA 15146-0143 (P) 412.823.4007 info@talkmagazineonline.com www.talkmagazineonline.com PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES JOSEPH BIDEN VICE-PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES KAMALA HARRIS UNITED STATES CONGRESS MIKE DOYLE STATE TREASURER JOSEPH TORSELLA AUDITOR GENERAL NINA AHMAD ATTORNEY GENERAL JOSH SHAPIRO STATE SENATORS JAY COSTA 43rd DISTRICT JIM BREWSTER 45th DISTRICT STATE REPRESENTATIVES SUMMER LEE 34th DISTRICT AUSTIN DAVIS 35th DISTRICT NICK PISCIOTTANO 38th DISTRICT MON-VALLEY PEOPLES ACTION COMMITTEE PENNSYLVANIA STATEWIDE SLATE CARD NOVEMBER 3, 2020 POLLS OPEN 7:00 AM TO 8:00 PM ELECT4 | TALK MAGAZINE • SPECIAL ELECTION ISSUE 2020 Th e stakes have never been higher, and the obstacles appear to be rising. With national unrest at the heart of many conversations about this year’s election, for many, the topic of voting has shown itself to be a matter of ‘life or death’. Voting has always held this position for African Americans, a people who have fought longer and harder to obtain and maintain the rights to vote and stake claim in a country riddled with troublesome history towards people of color. In 2020 with so much civil unrest, political decisions increasing disparities, and a pandemic that makes it harder to exercise normalcy, the process of voting is one that, for a lot of people, will change to accommodate the safety of themselves and their homes. Mail-in ballots have increased in popularity as a secondary way to cast a vote in a society that is currently plagued by an illness killing many. Many older, immune compromised individuals have opted out of the traditional in person ballot casting to maintain safety measures and continue their safety protocols created since the inception of this pandemic. “I can’t compromise,” said J. Rivero, a longtime voter who as of late, had been worried about if he would vote this year at all. His illness would prohibit him from leaving his house on most days, refusing to leave his home for fear he might contract the illness. “I can’t compromise my regular schedule and think that just this one time, it’ll be fine. I can’t risk that,” he says. When asked if he was planning on voting by mail, he hesitated. “I have to vote, someway, somehow, so if this is the best that I can do, I have to feel comfortable with that,” he notes. For him, the pride of physically entering a space to vote and pressing the vote button was symbolic of a confirmation of his voice being heard. He had earned that right as a former immigrant, and he feels disheartened at not being able to practice his right, as he knows it, many years later. His fear, however, comes from having his mail already compromised, items sent to wrong locations, if at all. He hopes the mail-in ballot would provide diff erent results. However, with limited options, his faith must sustain him. “Th is world is diff erent, but we’re all adjusting. I just have to believe my vote is being counted.” While this adjustment appears to be one that works (by default) for J. Rivero, others may feel that this alternative does nothing more than to play into the politic fear factors that plague our society at this moment. “It’s a hoax. A lie they made to make us fear going to the polls and doing what we need to do as a people with rights,” A. Davis stated loudly. When asked if she planned to vote, she stated she would be voting, the “real” way, without the mail-in ballot. “I can leave the house to work for individuals as an essential worker. I can go to the store, and I can drive around, so I’m going to go exercise my duty and responsibility and vote in person,” she declared. Her sentiments are echoed by many individuals who feel that life as an essential worker has stopped nothing for them. Th ey are still required to leave their homes, risk the safety of themselves and their families, and are still required to be out and about. For this reason, A. Davis does not diff erentiate the diff erence between going to work and going to the polls. “Th is is important. Th is is worth compromising my health, because my health and livelihood will be compromised regardless if the wrong person is elected,” she points out. “If our ancestors were willing to die for this right, we should be too,” she declared, as tears filled her eyes. When asked about her emotion, she attributed her passion for voting due to her family’s historical footprints in voting rights. Her ancestors and those who went before her were strong community activists, pushing for voting rights and helping citizens to combat voting suppression in smaller cities. For her, this is personal. “I owe it to so many people to take the chance,” she says. On one hand, the weight of this vote seems heavy upon us. We are all clear on the importance of the vote—the power that it holds in this election—but only if we have been active voters thus far. For many, even with society showing signs on the importance of voting, the decision to vote is still not made. Amongst the number of those who understand the weight of this year’s election are outliers, those who have chosen to not vote. M. Reddington is one of those individuals. “I don’t think this vote will matter” she states, “Th e last one didn’t matter, and this one won’t make much diff erence. Th e state of the world is in shambles and voting in a corrupt system won’t help to fix that.” When asked to expand, she added the following: “We oftentimes think that voting is where the power is, but really it’s in dismantling the entire system. Voting for the lesser of two evils—like a lot of folk are trying to do—is not progress. We do not have a valid candidate to work on the real issues. Why vote for one over the other if both have not done their job to do right by us?” Her sentiments are not unique. Many have lost hope in the voting process, being disenchanted by the last Presidential Election. Th is experience, on top of the climate of our society, can leave many with a level of disillusionment that would not matter what form of voting needed to take place. Th e refusal to vote comes as a “standoff ” of sorts, a declaration that the system that has not worked in their favor will no longer get their energies or their votes, no matter the way. Across America, we see many faces, young and old, who are tackling the issue of voting as our ancestors did: with humility and responsibility. Th eir plans to vote may have to be altered, but their commitment to the cause will not. Many across the world are helping to push voter registrations, signing up younger populations and educating them on the importance, and the journey of our vote. With talks of mailing systems being reduced and conspiracies on mail-in ballots being manipulated, in person votes appear to be what more are reaching towards, even during the pandemic. For many, as life is beginning to resume to some sense of normality, their dedication to ‘risk it all’ is at an all-time high. Examining Feelings Towards Voting and Mail-in Ballots by Fiordaliza White The Power Behind Your Vote: This world is different, but we’re all adjusting. I just have to believe my vote is being countedWeVOTEInEACH& EVERY Election! OurFutureIsAtStake! IFWEWANTPOWER WETAKEIT! Mail-inandabsenteeballotapplicationsfortheNovember3,2020, generalelectionmustbereceivedbyyourcountyelectionofficeby 5p.m.onTuesday,October27,2020. COMPLETEDBALLOTSmustbeRECEIVEDbyyourcountyelection officeby8pmonNovember3,2020-postmarksarenotenough, howeverweurgeyoutomailinyourcompletedballotsEARLY-we urgeyoutomailinyourcompletedballotsbynolaterthanOctober 21st! “RolltothePolls”-“ElectionProtection” 412-212-8775/1-866-687-8683 www.votespa.com https://alleghenyvotes.com/ www.b-pep.net6 | TALK MAGAZINE • SPECIAL ELECTION ISSUE 2020 How do I apply for a mail-in ballot? OPTION 1: Apply for a Mail-in Ballot Online. Apply Online at: VotesPA.com/ApplyMailBallot Solicite la papeleta de voto por correo Registered voters can apply for a mail-in ballot online with a valid PA driver's license or photo I.D. from the PA Department of Transportation (PennDOT). Be sure to: • Sign up to be a permanent mail-in ballot voter so you can automatically receive ballots by mail for the rest of the year. • Provide an email address to receive notifications about your application and ballot status. • Military and overseas voters should visit the information for military and overseas voters web page for information on how they can obtain an absentee ballot. Voting by Mail-in or Absentee Ballot MAIL-IN AND ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS FOR THE NOVEMBER 3, 2020, GENERAL ELECTION MUST BE RECEIVED BY YOUR COUNTY ELECTION OFFICE BY 5 P.M. ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2020. WHAT ARE MAIL BALLOTS? In Pennsylvania, you now have two options for mail ballots. You may either choose a mail-in ballot or an absentee ballot to request, complete, and return to your county election office. Mail-in ballot—Any qualified voter may apply for a mail-in ballot. You may simply request this ballot without a reason. Absentee ballot—If you plan to be out of the municipality on election day or if you have a disability or illness, you should request this ballot type, which still requires you to list a reason for your ballot. In order to request either ballot type, you must be registered to vote. Please visit "Check Your Registration Status" to review your registration information. Absentee Ballot Who may apply for an absentee ballot application? • College students who are not registered to vote at their school address • People whose work or vacation take them away from the municipality where they live • Those with a physical disability or illness that prevents them from going to the polling place • Members of the military • People who may have a conflict due to the celebration of a r eligious holiday • Inmates who haven't been convicted of a felony • To vote by absentee ballot you must be registered to vote. WHICH BALLOT SHOULD I USE? Mail-in Ballot Who may apply for a mail-in ballot application? You may apply for a Mail-in Ballot if you are a qualified voter. You must be registered to vote in order to vote by mail-in ballot. Voting by Mail-in Ballot Deadlines for the November 3 General Election: 5 pm, October 27 - APPLICATIONS must be RECEIVED by your county election office 8 pm, November 3 - VOTED BALLOTS must be RECEIVED by your county election office - postmarks are not enough Applications and ballots may be delivered to your county election office by the deadline. Contact your county election office for their hours of operation.The Pennsylvania Department of State announced today that it will provide postage-paid envelopes for mail-in and absentee ballots for the general election in November. “Our goal is to make voting as acces- sible, safe, and easy for eligible voters as possible,” said Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathy Boockvar in a news release. “Mail-in or absentee voting with prepaid postage means Pennsylvanians can vote from the comfort of their own home, without having to make a trip to the post office to buy a stamp, during the COVID-19 pandemic.” OPTION 2: Apply for a Mail-in Ballot by mail Step 1: Complete a paper mail-in ballot application: • Download and print a mail-in ballot application: • Mail-in Ballot Application available in English and Spanish online. • Don't have a printer? Have a paper application mailed to you: • You can contact your county election office directly to request a paper application. • Or you can contact the Department of State to request an application by emailing ra-voterreg@pa.gov or by calling 1-877-VOTESPA. Step 2: Mail your application: • Send your mail-in ballot application to the county election office. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is one week before the election. • Military and overseas voters should visit the information for military and overseas voters web page for information on how they can obtain an absentee ballot. Other ways to request a mail-in ballot • Apply in person at your county election office. Once your county's ballot is finalized and available, you may request and promptly receive your mail-in ballot. • Contact your county election office for more information. If your application is accepted, you will get a mail-in ballot with instructions from your county election office. Already applied for a mail-in ballot? PA voters can see the status of their mail-in or absentee ballot online. Track your ballot's progress from when your county receives your application, to when they receive your voted ballot. What’s a permanent mail-in ballot request? You now have the option to request to be added to the permanent mail-in ballot request list where you’ll receive an application to renew your mail-in ballot request each year. Once your application is approved, you will automatically receive ballots for the remainder of the year, and you do not need to submit an application for each election. How do I vote with a mail-in ballot? • Mark your ballot, following the instructions. • Place your ballot in the secrecy envelope and then put the secrecy envelope into the official envelope. Be sure to sign the declaration, or your ballot may not count. • Return your ballot so it arrives at the county election office on time. PA will Provide Postage-paid Envelopes for Mail-in and Absentee Ballots for November Election by Deb Kiner WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 7Next >