Faithful Citizenship: Changing the face of voter registration personnel
Catholic Spirit, November 2007, Good News
By Steve Voytowich
Guest Columnist
Want to know a good, clean activity that lets you meet people of all persuasions, engage in civic participation, and, at times, exercise? It’s voter registration.
Voting is the goal, but registration is the mechanism that allows people to choose at the polls. The forms of registration range from the large coordinated efforts that use many volunteers to reach a large number of potential voters to the lone person who sets up a folding table in front of a corner grocery store or a parish hall. Registering voters gives Catholics the opportunity to help amplify the voices of those least among us while involving ourselves in the political process.
The personal connections to some of the registrants add to our sense of accomplishment of upholding this country’s values of fair representation.
There was a 10-year-old girl who dragged her embarrassed mother to the voting table and demanded her mother register to vote because her teacher said voting is important and the foundation of our democracy. Upon leaving, the girl said she would make sure her mother voted.
The 2008 elections might be the first time that a woman is one of the major political party’s presidential nominee. But if not, this election might be one that women play a more important role than men. Working women, both single and married, will have a chance to vote for the candidate who can best addresses their needs of health care, child care, job security, wages and education.
Then there was the 18-year-old young man who was so inspired watching a documentary on war that he hurriedly walked to a voting table outside the movie theater and said he wanted to register so “I can make a difference.” The more rewarding moments are registering young people.
This year, elected state officials attempted to allow teenagers to work at polling stations. Since the average age of a poll official is close to 80 years old, the need for younger people to learn the process is great. Though defeated at this year’s legislative session, hopefully, a proposal will come up on the floor next time and be approved. Any responsible activity that can get teenagers and young adults engaged in the political process is nothing but positive. Because such issues as pro-life, war, national security, the death penalty and environmental concerns will weigh heavily on their generation, our youth should know Catholic social teachings, such as the life and dignity of the human person and the call to family, community and participation.
Maybe the most profound interaction was with the homeless man at a downtown shelter who was so proud to have registered that he started asking others at the location to do the same and kept on asking until the deadline.
This man, who knew nothing about faithful citizenship, would talk to other homeless people about such social justice concerns as paying living wages, creating jobs and reducing poverty.
Sometimes, when walking neighborhoods, going from door-to-door, you meet someone like the elderly black woman sitting on her porch who talked in great detail about the poll tax and the barriers to voting imposed on her, or the man from Argentina, who earlier in the day had taken the oath of citizenship, registered to vote and declared that day was the greatest of his life.
Recently, a number of states have tried and some have succeeded to limit voter registration. Though some of the laws have been enjoined or suspended after challenged in court, the trend continues. Many believe that laws limiting registration will decrease minority representation at the polls.
“Our society must also continue to combat discrimination based on sex, race, ethnicity, disabling conditions or age. Discrimination constitutes a grave injustice and an affront to human dignity. It must be aggressively resisted. Where the effects of past discrimination persist, society has the obligation to take positive steps to overcome the legacy of injustice. We support judiciously administered affirmative action programs as tools to overcome discrimination and its continuing effects,” says the Faithful Citizenship guide.
How does one get involved in voter registration? The first step is to take an oath of office and become a Volunteer Deputy Registrar. Soon after, volunteers are sent instructions, supplies, voter applications, an identification card and a certificate of appointment. The next step is developing a game plan.
To help navigate this process, visit www.ccctx.org/fc_advocacy.php. The site includes information on how to become a voter registrar and information and methods for successful voter registration. To learn more about Faithful Citizenship, visit www.ccctx.org/fc.php.
Steve Voytowich is a founding member of the Faithful Citizenship committee in the diocese and is a parishioner at St. Catherine Parish in Austin.