By Dianne Anderson

Already picking up speed in several states, the early vote of those critical little bubbles on the ballot is set to determine the course of democracy in less than three weeks.

Community activists say it’s just the start of what’s to come.

Ernesta Wright of the nonpartisan G.R.E.E.N Foundation said at their recent event, 155 participants packed an Orange County Town Hall to try to understand the small print of their ballot measures and propositions, with just enough seating to spare.

Along with Divine 9 organizations, and with the County League of Women Voters, the symposium helped raise awareness on important local issues, with many often tied, indirectly or directly, to community health.

Almost every health outcome goes back to some level of policy and resources that either are reaching, or more likely, not reaching Black and underserved communities.

“The G.R.E.E.N foundation brings awareness and promotes health issues that predominantly impact the African American community,” she said. “We are determined to reduce unnecessary death based upon lack of knowledge and resources.”

Her nonpartisan organization will continue bringing information to support health resources through events, social media, and is encouraging partnerships with OC Healthcare Agency.

“It’s to ensure internally that these resources are also promoted within their own network within Orange County, as well as to highly recommend OC Healthcare Agency to find resources to truly promote services to support this population,” she said.

Voting is the first leg of the race, and she emphasized there is much to do after the election to hold elected officials accountable for the platform and policies they talk about. Voters must stay engaged, she said, and prepared for the plan of action.

“Be committed to serving with the elected officials to aggressively, progressively improve the lives that have been ignored in so many communities, serving in disadvantaged communities that have been historically ignored,” she said.

Early this week, she held a Zoom event focused on HIV rise in numbers for African Americans, and said the numbers appear extremely over-represented.

According to the OC Health Care Agency HIV Surveillance Fact Sheet released last year, the rolling three-year average shows Blacks continue to hold the highest case rate, followed by Hispanics, Whites, and Asians. Pacific Islanders, American Indian/Alaskan Natives. Multiple race categories were excluded due to their small numbers.

“While case rates have decreased since 2013-2015 for Hispanics, Whites, and Asians, the case rates for Blacks has increased since that time period. Furthermore, Blacks and Hispanics continue to be disproportionately impacted by HIV compared to other racial/ethnic groups,” states the Public Health Services, HIV Surveillance report.

The voting town hall was held in collaboration with the GREEN Foundation, Alpha Kappa Alpha and participation from Omega Psi Phi, and Delta Sigma Theta, along with the local League of Women Voters.

There, the community drilled down on questions for clarity.

“Ernesta was able to provide a presentation of what to do after you vote, how do you make your voice heard, and how do you hold those that you put in office accountable?” said Danyett Armstrong Lee, co-chair of the Social Action Committee of Pi Sigma Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Armstrong Lee said that AKA provides many informational events, such as the symposium, always reaching out to schools and nonprofits for collaborations. They are focused on teen mental health awareness, and regularly provide tangible resources for the community, particularly for the homeless population.

“We’ve always been a part of the social justice movement. I do believe that overall, not just with the sorority, but with the entire African American  community as far as social action, we’re doing that no matter what,” she said.

Rashida Jones, who also co-chaired the event, said they drew more participants than expected, and any more would have been standing room only. She feels it’s important to remember that no vote is too small.

“We have to stop believing our vote doesn’t count, and we’re not going to make a difference. Policies on the ballot are detrimental to certain communities and for health reasons, women’s rights economy, different measures that are really going to affect people,” she said.

Money flows from the Fed to counties and cities, but she said people seem to forget how much Congress and judges are making decisions that impact the local community.

She hopes everyone takes the opportunity to vote, and remember that some candidates have won or lost elections for just a handful of votes.

“We encourage don’t wait till the last minute,” she said. “We don’t want this to come down to the wire, I’m encouraging everyone I know and my family to get your ballots in early.”

For information on how and where to vote, see https://my.lwv.org/california/orange-coast/voting

To learn more, see

California Election Tools:
https://www.vote.org/state/california/

CA Secretary of State Nov. 5 Election:
https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/general-election-nov-5-2024