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Trump set to sign executive order 'shuttering the Education Department' as Colorado takes him to court over efforts to abolish it; Arizona rallies protest possible U.S. Postal Service 'reforms;' Audit shows Allegheny County public defenders overwhelmed with caseloads.

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White House attacks the judge who moved to block deportation of Venezuelans. Ukrainian President agrees to a limited ceasefire. And advocates say closing CFPB would put consumers on the hook for 'junk' charges and predatory fees.

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Cuts to Medicaid and frozen funding for broadband are both likely to have a negative impact on rural healthcare, which is already struggling. Plus, lawsuits over the mass firing of federal workers have huge implications for public lands.

Aiming to boost Black women's voter engagement in MS

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Monday, August 12, 2024   

As the November general election approaches, Mississippi groups are ramping up efforts to boost Black voter participation.

The Magnolia State has a history of low voter turnout. Two years ago, only 33% of the state's voting-age population cast a ballot.

Cassandra Welchlin, executive director of the Mississippi Black Women's Roundtable, said her group is spearheading efforts to boost the numbers among Black women. Their "Power of the Sister Vote Boot Camp" partners with local leaders to mobilize people to encourage voting, both in rural and urban Mississippi.

"Inside these boot camps, we are training folks, giving them data," Welchlin explained. "How many infrequent Black women voters do you have in your communities? Let's develop strategies on targeting and reaching those infrequent or 'high opportunity' voters, so that we can get them registered and turn out the vote."

Welchlin noted voter participation is particularly important, as the decisions will ultimately affect issues like child care, wages and health care. The voter registration deadline in Mississippi for the Nov. 5 general election is Oct. 7.

Voter suppression is a concern affecting many states. Welchlin pointed out Mississippi has multiple barriers to voting, citing a bill passed in 2023 to purge people from the voting rolls if they did not vote in a certain number of elections.

"We've been working to educate folks, to ask them to make sure that they check their status," Welchlin emphasized. "That was a really bad law that disenfranchised voters. The other thing is that we don't have early voting, nor do you have same-day voter registration."

Welchlin explained her organization also empowers Black women through policy advocacy, focusing on economic opportunities and community well-being. She added the Mississippi Women's Economic Security Initiative prioritizes their voices and addresses issues like wages.

"Our minimum wage hasn't increased," Welchlin stressed. "We have been working to develop a pilot program to work with restaurant owners, to help educate them about the importance of raising wages to $15 an hour."

She added the pilot program is with High Road Kitchens, independent restaurants providing food on a sliding scale to low-wage workers and others in need. It is part of their goal to advocate for a higher federal minimum wage, and to eliminate the subminimum wage paid to tipped workers, of only $2.13 an hour.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.


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