By Kaylin Jean-Louis
As voter registration and mobilization efforts evolve across the country, Florida organizations like the Florida General Baptist Convention, the Tallahassee Urban League and the C.K. Steele Human Rights Institute are encountering significant challenges but are working independently toward the same goal.
Challenges in Voter Registration and Mobilization
The Rev. Carl Johnson, president of the Florida General Baptist Convention, emphasized the difficulty in navigating the ever-changing voting landscape.
“The governor and new laws have made it more complicated when it comes to our normal way of voting,” he said. He further explained changes in voting-by-mail requirements, such as restricting drop box locations and tightening ID verification processes, would disenfranchise Black voters. Other voting hindrances include the requirement of providing proof of residency and limited early voting days.
Curtis Taylor, president of the Tallahassee Urban League, shared similar insights, highlighting the broader impact of recent legislative changes.
“Everyone must get involved in this election because if the wrong person gets in office, we will have a negative effect on our voting, civil, women, LGBTQIA+ rights, and so much more,” Taylor said.
Pastor Derek Steele of the C.K. Human Rights Institute added another perspective noting the principles and ideals he believes to be at stake in up- coming elections.
“I believe that what is at stake are the principles and ideals of the founding fathers who did not even understand everything they were putting in place and not want to include Black people,” Steele said.
Impact of Voting Laws and Requirements
A significant challenge that states nationwide are facing is the change in voting laws and requirements, which has deterred many from participating in upcoming elections. Specifically, in August 2022, for example, Florida Gov. Desantis announced that at least 20 ex-felons were charged with voter fraud with the 2020 election.
Believing their rights were re- stored, a few of them registered to vote and received a voter registration card just to find out later that they were ineligible to vote and that it did not count. In a recent June 2024 WFSU article, Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Earley stressed the need for clearer processes to determine voter eligibility, citing confusion.
“We’re hearing that from our voters and prospective voters who are frankly as they’ve told me, they’re concerned about whether they should try to get registered because they just don’t know what their status is. It’s very difficult to determine that (their voting status),” Early said.
Another hurdle people are encountering is a change in vote-by-mail requirements and accessibility. The Florida House of Representatives recently introduced a major elections bill that could further impact voter participation. The proposed bill from the State Affairs Committee, PCB SAC 24-06, aims to reduce the number of mail-in ballot drop-off boxes for the 2024 election and revive the runoff primary in 2026. In the same Tallahassee Democrat article, Brad Ashwell of “All Voting is Local” noted the possible effects of this bill could have on voter participation.
“That’s going to affect a lot of voters. It’s going to limit the ability (to vote) in Pinellas, Sarasota and Broward.”
These examples highlight the multifaceted challenges in voter registration and mobilization efforts in Florida, from navigating complex and changing laws to proposed legislative changes that may further restrict voter access.
Initiatives to Combat Voting Challenges
In response to these challenges, organizations across Florida are beginning efforts to increase voter education, participation and mobilization. Specifically, among these organizations are The Florida General Baptist Convention, the Tallahassee Urban League, and the C.K. Steele Human Rights Institute. These groups created initiatives aiming to ensure that all eligible voters, especially those from marginalized communities, have the necessary information and resources to exercise their right to vote.
Motive Behind the Drive Under Johnson’s leadership, the Florida General Baptist Convention is partnering with Desmond Meade to replicate an initiative that started with the former President Barack Obama’s administration.
When Obama ran for office, Johnson served as the division facilitator of the “Souls to the Polls” initiative. Now, he and Meade, president of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, plan to mobilize churches across Miami-Dade County to help prisoners access early polling sites. The current voting registration drive is an evolution of what Johnson did with .
Johnson believes that when people unite for a common cause and rely on their faith, great outcomes can be achieved.
“If we do our part to vote, then the sovereign hand of God will do his part,” he said.
Johnson also said they have secured partnerships with churches and civic organizations like the NAACP, A. Philip Randolph Institute and Faith in Florida. These partnerships aim to spread the initiative across different parts of the state to reach as many potential voters as possible.
The Florida General Baptist Convention’s efforts began earlier this year with the assistance of Pastor Rhonda Thomas, the executive director of Faith in Florida. Johnson explained that Thomas and her organization were instrumental in mobilizing churches across different regions. The collaboration with Faith in Florida representatives in Miami-Dade County was particularly helpful in advancing the voting initiative.
Building on these achievements, another organization’s efforts have also taken an active approach to addressing voter mobilization challenges.
Efforts by the Tallahassee Urban League
The Tallahassee Urban League initiated another effort to promote voter participation drive with similar goals locally. This nonprofit organization focuses on serving and empowering the community by providing resources and support that promote economic empowerment and social justice.
Curtis Taylor, president of the Tallahassee Urban League, expressed the organization’s goal to increase civic engagement.
“In the last four or five years, we have been doing a drive called ‘Reclaim Your Vote.’
In other words, we go out and canvass in the community and put up door handles with voting information,” Taylor stated. He also expressed that they use student volunteers from Florida A&M University, Florida State University and Tallahassee State College to canvass Springhill, Frenchtown, Providence, Bond, Southside and Apalachee Ridge neighborhoods.
“We remind people to register to vote, check their voting options, find their polling location, know the candidates and issues and make a plan to vote, vote, vote,” Taylor explained. He also highlighted the urgency of voter participation in upcoming elections.
“I was just involved in Pastor Steele’s luncheon where I was one of the panelists, and I told him that I believe this election coming up in November is one of the most important elections of our lives,” he said. In the future, Taylor hopes to continue this voting initiative with his organization and involve younger generations in the process.
Support from the C.K. Steele Human Rights Institute
The C.K. Steele Human Rights Institute developed a creative approach to combine open conversation with voter registration. Named after the prominent civil rights leader, Charles Kenzie Steele, this organization focuses on promoting civil rights and social justice.
This year, they hosted their 2nd Annual Awards Luncheon on the 68th Anniversary of the Tallahassee Bus Boycott, themed “Making Every Vote Count and Happen.”
Their goal was to not only dis- cuss the challenges and solutions, such as increasing young adult voter turnout and finding creative ways to engage with younger generations, but also to act. Attendees could register to vote on-site at the luncheon.
Derek Steele, founder of the C.K. Steele Human Rights Institute, voiced strong support for mobilizing voters.
“I believe that what is at stake are the principles and ideals of the founding fathers who did not even understand everything they were putting in place and did not want to include Black people,” Steele said.
Mutaquee Akbar, president of the Tallahassee Branch of the NAACP, high-lighted the importance of engaging the youth in voting during the panel discussion. Akbar said his role as president involves coalition building and working with various community organizations to increase political awareness and participation.
The Tallahassee activist highlighted that a key moment in the discussion was emphasizing the importance of increasing young adult voter turnout.
“I believe that we just have to engage the youth. I think that historically they have been scaring or guilting youth into voting by saying statements like ‘People died for your right to vote’ and ‘So much is going on for you not to vote.’ People are not really engaging the youth and having conversations about what concerns them and letting them know that those things can be affected at the voting polls,” Akbar said.
Rev. Don Tolliver, a board member of the C.K. Steele Human Rights Institute and the host of the panel discussion, echoed the importance of active participating in the voting process. “I think engaging and registering people to vote is easy. We’ve registered millions of people. It’s going out and casting your vote; that’s where the hook comes in,” Tolliver said.
This difficulty in getting people to cast their votes is compounded by another significant challenge: limited resources. While Steele believes the event emphasized the organization’s commitment to the cause, he acknowledges the difficulties posed by the constraints. “We do not have many resources but want to get those to distribute them to the community,” the local activist said.
He hopes to partner with other organizations to help boost voter participation. He said the ballot is where the power lies.
Looking Ahead: Mobilizing Florida’s Voters
To date, the Florida General Baptist Convention has registered over 11,000 people and aims to reach their intended goal of one million registered votes. Johnson hopes to promote the organization’s initiative to the National Baptist Convention to expand its reach.
“At our National Baptist Convention congress meeting, we are going to talk about mobilization based on our voter registration. Now it’s time for voter mobilization to move our people to the polls,” the FGBC president said.
Johnson does acknowledge the challenges posed by recent changes in voting laws. However, he believes that persistence is key.
“Just because there are obstacles does not mean that those obstacles should stop you. You must find a creative and intentional way to follow the rules but still get your goal. That is, get registered and voting,” Johnson said.
As Florida organizations continue to be challenged with evolving voting regulations and mobilize communities, their efforts remain as they hope to empower citizens through education and engagement.
Kaylin is a third-year Broadcast Journalism scholar at Florida A&M University, hailing from Tallahassee, FL. Aiming to make a difference through authentic storytelling, she makes a difference through various platforms, including her two radio shows, “Inspiring Moments with Kaylin” on Hallelujah 95.3 FM and “Feel Good Vibes & Motivation” on 90.5 The Flava. Kaylin aspires to become an award-winning multimedia journalist who uses her voice to drive positive change.
