SOUTH FLORIDA – As concerned Caribbean-Americans in South Florida, Caribbean-American Politically Active Citizens has developed this Voters’ Guide to help you choose the more appropriate candidates in this general election.
Caribbean-American Politically Active Citizens recommend that you vote for the following candidates because we believe they are more likely to promote the interests of Caribbean-American people in South Florida. We have watched political news programs, read local and national newspapers, attended candidate forums, and consulted with local community leaders. We have assessed the candidates based on their positions or policies, including, but not limited to, U.S. immigration, education, the American justice system, healthcare, affirmative action, economic opportunity, and civil rights.
Please pass these Broward and Miami-Dade Voters’ Guides on to other tax-paying Caribbean-American SuperVoters.
For more information, call Dr. Marcia Magnus, Caribbean-American Politically Active Citizens, 954-454-7473.
Early voting begins Sat 27 Oct.
Top 10 Reasons to Vote in the Tuesday 6 November 2012 General Election:
1. Vote because today we CAN vote. Your vote will honor the hundreds of African-Americans who toiled and protested to help pass the 1965 Voting Rights Act when they began the 5-day 51-mile walk, against law enforcement resistance on Bloody Sunday, from Selma to Montgomery in 1965. Honor their pain and resilience and take a few minutes to vote in this election.
2. Vote to honor the millions of African Americans who could NOT vote because unjust laws required that they either recite parts of the US Constitution, or pay a voting poll tax, or they had to provide proof that they owned land. We can vote today because of their struggle yesterday.
3. Vote in this election because today we stand on the shoulders of those who were beaten, lynched, and killed; for the African Americans who faced burning KKK crosses; for the churches which were bombed just because activists tried to change unjust voting laws. Rosa Parks tried to register three times because of these unjust laws.
4. Election day is the one day that every American is, in theory, equal. We can all vote, if you are registered and if you take the time.
5. Have you noticed that complaining about the criminal justice system with your friends and family has not really changed anything? Vote in this election to ensure that your judiciary is reflective of your community.
6. It’s easier than you think to vote when you use your Caribbean-American Voters’ Guide.
7. SuperVoters (people who vote in every election—primary and general elections) have a major influence on who wins elections. SuperVoters are usually older adults, more educated, White, and earn more than $50,000 a year. Because SuperVoters vote for people of their own interests, it is easier for people to win elections just because of their names or backgrounds. Become a SuperVoter today. Ensure that your voter registration is updated, identify your precinct, review your sample ballot, educate yourself on the candidates and issues, by absentee ballot, vote early or vote or on election day.
8. If not now, when? If not you, who?
9. Florida’s purging of the voters’ rolls, legislation which decreases the number of voting days, and the reading level of the constitutional amendments are all designed to make voting difficult for some people. Voting in this election is Victory over those hostile forces!
10. We as taxpayers are paying millions of dollars to host this election—no matter how many people vote.
Caribbean American Voters’ Guide — MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT – Barack Obama/Joe Biden
UNITED STATES SENATOR – Bill Nelson
*REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS…
DISTRICT 23 – Debbie Wasserman Schultz
DISTRICT 25 – Mario Diaz-Balart
DISTRICT 26 – Joe Garcia
DISTRICT 27 – Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
*STATE ATTORNEY, 11TH JUDICIAL COURT
Katherine Fernandez Rundle
*STATE SENATOR…
DISTRICT 35 – Gwen Margolis
DISTRICT 39 – Dwight Bullard
*STATE REPRESENTATIVE…
DISTRICT 102 – Sharon Pritchett
DISTRICT 103 – Manny Diaz, Jr
DISTRICT 105 – Carlos Trujillo
DISTRICT 107 – Barbara Watson
DISTRICT 110 – Jose Oliva
DISTRICT 111 – Eddy Gonzalez
DISTRICT 112 – Jose Javier Rodriquez
DISTRICT 114 – Erik Fresen
DISTRICT 115 – Jeffery (Doc) Solomon
DISTRICT 116 – Jose Felix Diaz
DISTRICT 117 – Kionne L. McGhie
DISTRICT 118 – Frank Artiles
DISTRICT 119 – Jeanette M. Nunez
DISTRICT 120 – Holly Merrill Raschein
JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT
Fred Lewis – Yes
Barbara J Pariente – Yes
Peggy A. Quince – Yes
DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL
Angel A. Cortines – Yes
Kevin Emas – Yes
Ivan F. Fernandez – Yes
Leslie B. Rothenberg – Yes
Richard J. Suarez – Yes
COUNTY JUDGE GROUP 24
Greer Elaine Wallace
Board of County Commissioners
DISTRICT 3 – Audrey M. Edmondson
DISTRICT 5 – Luis Garcia
DISTRICT 11 – Juan C. Zapata
*Caribe Palm Development District – Natalie Cedeno
*South Dade Venture Comm Development District
Seat 1 – Curtis Cooper
Seat 4 – Sonia Castro
Seat 5 – Regina A. Echols
Constitutional Amendments:
1–Health Care Services – No
2—Veterans Disabled Due to Combat Injury… – No
3—State Government Revenue Limitation… – No
4—Property Tax Limitation… – No
5—State Courts… – No
6—Prohibition on Public Funding of Abortions… – No
7—Removed from Ballot – No
8—Religious Freedom – No
9—Homestead Property Tax Exemption-Surviving Spouse of Military Veteran – No
10—Tangible Personal Property Tax Exemption – No
11—Additional Homestead Exemption; Low-Income Seniors – No
12—Appointment of Student Body President to Board… – No
School Board Question
Funding Modernization…Public Schools – FOR BONDS
County Questions
Home Rule Charter Relating to Term Limits – Yes
Technical Amendments to Home Rule Charter – Yes
Charter Amendments:
-Requiring Extraordinary Vote… – Yes
-Pertaining to Changes in Municipal Boundaries… – No
-Regarding Penalties… – Yes
-Related to Option for filling Mayoral – Yes
-Mayoral Conflicts in County Procurement – Yes
Referendum Regarding Structures and Modification – Yes
Non-Binding Straw Ballot on Funding…
Improved Animal Services Programs – Yes
Contracting with Companies Doing Business… – No
(* means that these races will appear only if you live within the district)
