By: Dr. Marcia Magnus
SOUTH FLORIDA – This year’s August 24th primary election is more important than you think! Immigrants are not only considered “hard-to-count” in the census, they are also less likely than native Floridians to vote during primary and general elections. However, we all pay the salaries of elected officials when we pay our taxes. But on primary election day, all Americans–regardless of income, race, and ethnicity are the same in one respect—each person has one vote.
How much do you know about this 24th August primary election? Choose “True” or “False” for each of the following statements to see if you know what’s at stake for the 24 Aug 2010 primary elections.
True or False?
1.___When faced with a ballot of two unknown candidates, most people vote for the candidate that they have the most experience with.
2.____Elections for state judges are not as important as elections for federal races like Congressional Representative, Vice president, and President.
3.____It’s too much of a hassle to go to the precinct to vote.
4.____It’s too hard to figure out who to vote for.
Answers
1. TRUE. When faced with a ballot of two unknown candidates, most people are faced with two unknown candidates, they vote for the candidate that they have the most experience with. Research shows that when faced with two unfamiliar candidates, most voters choose the names that they have the most experience with. The vote by ethnicity and gender. Generally, Italian voters go for Italian names. Irish voters select candidates who have Irish names. Women vote for women, and men vote for men. This pattern of voting has a major impact on election results because some people are more likely to vote than others.
The people who are most likely to show up to vote in every primary election—the supervoters: are older adults, more educated adults, Whites, and those who earn more than $50,000 a year. Middle-age and young adults, less educated taxpayers, people who are less than $50,000 a year and non-Whites are less likely to show up and vote in primary and general elections. Although we all pay taxes, voter turnout for primary elections averages 10% of registered voters, and 40-50% for general elections, although voter turnout in the 2008 Barack Obama presidential election was higher than usual.
Non-White candidates therefore have a harder time being elected because the non-White voter turnout is low.
Solution: Non-White immigrant voters need to vote in the 24 August primary election more than ever.
2. Primary elections for judges are not as important as elections for federal races like congressman, Vice president, and President.
FASLE. Although primary elections are less popular than general elections, the election results are permanent. The 2001 Caribbean American Politically Active Citizens survey of 528 Caribbean Americans in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties revealed that the three most important issues were the criminal justice system, education, and immigration. We can’t change the nation’s laws but voters can change judges who are unworthy.
There are 90 Broward county judges, 79 are White and of those 49 are Jewish. Only 5 of the 90 judges are Black. Not sure which judges to vote for? The American Bar Association has defined criteria for judges. Judges should:
–uphold the rule of law.
–be independent.
–be impartial.
–have appropriate temperament and character.
–possess the appropriate capabilities and credentials
–represent a judicial system should be racially diverse and reflective of the society it serves.
Times have changed. There was a time when sitting judges were rarely challenged for candidates’ fear of retribution. In the 2010 judicial race in Broward county, 10 of 11 circuit court judges are being challenged. Maybe it’s the economy? Circuit criminal court judges rule on felony matters (any crime punishable by more than one year in state prison)—murder, sexual offenses, robbery, fraud, crimes against property, drugs, etc. Circuit civil matters include automobile negligence, professional malpractice, condominium lawsuits, mortgage foreclosures, product liability. Did you say none of these matters affect you? Judges decide who lives, who dies, who pays and how much. Over the course of your lifetime, you are more likely to be directly affected by a judges’ decision, than a congressional or presidential decision.
Make sure that the right people sit in judgment of you! Some judges are more sensitive to Immigration issues than others.
Taxes are mandatory, voting in primary elections ought to be mandatory too!
Solution: On 24th August, don’t just complain and blog with your personal network about injustice in America, vote in the primary election!
3. It’s too much of a hassle to go to the precinct to vote on election day 24 August.
FALSE. There are 2 other ways to vote for the primary election. First, there is Early Voting 9-24 August 2010. Second, there is Absentee Voting. Call the Supervisor of Elections 954 357 7050 to request your absentee ballot before 18 August. Absentee ballots must be received at the Supervisor of Elections office by 7pm 24 August. Remember to sign the ballot so that it will be accepted.
4. It’s too hard to figure out who to vote for.
FALSE. It’s easy if you get your Primary Election Caribbean-American Voters’ Guide. A non-partisan group of concerned Caribbean-Americans attend candidates’ forums, consult with an advisory panel of Caribbean American attorneys and community leaders, and they endorse candidates who are more likely to promote the interests of Caribbean-Americans in South Florida.
