For Caribbean Folks Who Can’t Vote In U.S. Elections

Jay Blessed • November 5, 2018 • Featured, Jay's Thoughts, News

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With the mobilization in full swing for the 2018 Midterm Elections, there is a large number of people in the U.S. who can’t vote and green card holders fall into that category. This article is specifically for Caribbean American immigrants who give excuses as to why they can’t vote!

As a permanent resident or green card holder, you have the right to legally work and live permanently in the United States, unless you commit a crime that would make you removable under immigration law. Presently, only citizens and naturalized citizens have the right to vote in local, state and federal elections.

For Caribbean Folks Who Can’t Vote In U.S. Elections

Being unable to vote does not excuse you from being active in elections – that will ultimately affect your life and your family’s life. In this scary midterm elections, the country has a chance to vote in new governors, re-elect the right Senators, and in some states, choose the Assemblyman or Assemblywoman who will have the people’s best interests at heart!

Caribbean media personality Giselle “The Wassi One” Blanche with Florida’s hope for Governor, Andrew Gillum. Photo: Instagram

“Cultural and racial turmoil is also raging in several high-stakes gubernatorial races that, on a good night for Democrats, could produce the nation’s first African American female governor, Stacey Abrams in Georgia, and Florida’s first black chief executive in Andrew Gillum,” Stephen Collinson wrote today, over at CNN.

With reports of voter suppression, voter intimidation and fear-mongering taking center stage, now is the time for green card holders to be active in this, or any, mid-term election.

I reached out to Jennifer Joseph, Senior Advisor, Chief of District Operations to NY City Council for the Hon. Alicka Ampry-Samuel, who urged permanent residents to be active. “Volunteer. Volunteer at a campaign, take friends to the polls, hand out some flyers or make some phone calls.”

You have no excuse and no need to feel helpless, for you still have the power to influence those in your network to take this election seriously and vote. Encourage your eligible U.S. born children, family members, neighbors, friends, co-workers, church members to vote. Canvas on behalf of a representative you feel passionately towards, use social media to spread the word, donate coffee to the volunteers doing the work or even make it your business to escort an elder in your community to the polls.

To understand what’s really at stake in this election, read this article over at CNN – America votes Tuesday. Here’s what’s at stake.

This is certainly not the time to be inactive and certainly not the time to be running your mouth about problems if you’re not going to be part of the solution!