BET AND THE NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL JOIN FORCES TO MOBILIZE BLACK VOTERS FOR THE 2024 ELECTION

BET and The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. (NPHC) are proud to announce the launch of the new BET 'We VOTE' Public Service Announcements (PSA) featuring all nine Black fraternities and sororities. These PSAs leverage the influence of the NPHC, affectionately known as "The Divine Nine," to drive awareness, encourage voter participation, and reinforce the importance of every vote in shaping our future.

Esteemed leaders representing the The National Pan-Hellenic Council of Presidents include:

• Dr. Willis L. Lonzer III – General President, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
• Danette Anthony Reed – International President and CEO, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
• Jimmy McMikle – Grand Polemarch, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
• Ricky Lawrence Lewis - Grand Basileus, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
• Elsie Cooke-Holmes – International President, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
• Hon. Chris V. Rey, J.D. – International President, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
• Dr. Stacie N.C. Grant – International President, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
• Marica Harris – International Grand Basileus, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
• Dr. Sean D. Housen, Sr. – International Grand Polaris, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

"The Council of Presidents is committed to supporting this important initiative with BET," said Hon. Chris V. Rey, J.D., International President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated and Chair of the NPHC Council of Presidents. "The vote is the most powerful tool in democracy, and we look forward to using our collective voices to help drive strong voter engagement and turnout."  

"BET is proud to highlight the Divine Nine and collaborate to ensure voters get the critical information they need about the election, including exercising our right to vote. We, like the Divine Nine, are committed to elevating the well-being of our community. Voting is one such mechanism in which to do so", said Kimberly Paige, CMO and Co-Lead of the BET Social Impact efforts.

BET created the 'We VOTE' effort to exclaim that we Vote for Ourselves, for Togetherness, for Everyone. It is this unifying theme that embodies BET's steadfast commitment to empowering all Black voters to harness their collective power to drive meaningful change.

The Divine 9 PSA is one of many being unveiled today. BET is proud to highlight nine emerging young leaders sharing their voices on the importance of voting. The nine leaders include the following (in alphabetical order):

• Demetris Causer - Voting Rights Attorney, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Inc.
• Marley Dias - #1000BlackGirlBooks Campaign
• Jared Evans - Voting Rights Lawyer, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Inc.
• Myles Hollingsworth - Student, Howard University and President, NAACP NY Youth & College Division
• Arnold Walter Ludd, Jr. - CEO & Founder, Jiggabite Gloves Up, Guns Down
• Christian Nathaniel Matthew - National President, National Action Network, Youth & College Division
• Chelsea Miller - Co-Founder, Freedom March NYC
• Jerome Richardson - Ambassador, Hip Hop Caucus
• L. Joy Williams - President, NAACP – Brooklyn, NY and Host, #SundayCivics Podcast

"We aim to raise awareness of the issues at stake through our efforts to educate the Black community and encourage voters to create and take action on their voting plan, whether it's early voting or on election day," said Tiyale Hayes, EVP of Insights and Co-Lead of the BET Social Impact efforts.

Produced for BET by The House of JOY (a Black and woman-owned firm), these latest creative spots are a testament to BET's ongoing efforts to elevate and educate the Black community, and ignite unprecedented civic engagement, voter registration, and turnout among Black voters in this critically important election.

To download the videos for your social media, please use the links below:

• Divine 9 Compilation PSA
  • :30 (16x9) - https://vimeo.com/1010706294
  • :30 (1x1) – https://vimeo.com/1010706202
  • :30 (9x16) - https://vimeo.com/1010705991

• Young Leaders Compilation PSA
  • :60 (16x9) - https://vimeo.com/1009715117
  • :60 (1x1) - https://vimeo.com/1009715739
  • :60 (9x16) - https://vimeo.com/1009715444

To learn more, go to BET.com/vote.

New Harris-Walz campaign ad shows impact of Project 2025 on Black voters

The Harris-Walz campaign is using the conservative Project 2025 plan to court Black voters. A new ad Titled “Backwards,” shows how Black Americans would be hurt if the Project 2025 agenda went forward under a second term for former President Trump.

BlackVotes.net Launches to Amplify Black Votes & Black Voices in Politics

BlackVotes.net Founder Sharifah Hardie

In a significant stride towards political empowerment and representation, Sharifah Hardie proudly announces the launch or BlackVotes.net. This groundbreaking platform is dedicated to amplifying the voices of Black politicians and inspiring greater participation from the Black community in the political process.

Honoring a Legacy and Addressing a Critical Need:

The ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment in 1870 marked a pivotal moment in American history, granting African Americans the right to vote and setting the stage for increased political engagement. Since then, African Americans have played a crucial role in shaping political progress, both as voters and as elected officials.

Yet, despite this rich legacy, Black individuals remain underrepresented in elected offices, courts, and political arenas across the nation. BlackVotes.net aims to address this disparity by providing a platform to spotlight Black politicians, encourage civic involvement, and foster political leadership within the Black community.

Key Features of BlackVotes.net:

Highlighting Black Politicians: The platform showcases a diverse range of Black political leaders, providing visibility and support to those making significant contributions in various political roles.

Encouraging Political Participation: BlackVotes.net offers resources and information on how individuals can get involved in the political process, including how to run for office and make a tangible impact.

Community Engagement: Visitors to the site can suggest Black politicians to support and actively participate in amplifying the voices of those working to drive change.

A Call to Action:

BlackVotes.net invites everyone to join in this critical effort to enhance Black representation in politics. By supporting Black politicians and becoming actively involved in the political process, individuals can help ensure that diverse perspectives and voices are represented in decision-making processes that affect all aspects of society.

Get Involved:

Support Black Politicians: Visit BlackVotes.net to learn about and support Black political leaders making a difference in their communities.

Engage with the Platform: Explore resources on how to run for political office, suggest additional Black politicians for support, and discover ways to contribute to the political landscape.

Spread the Word: Share the mission of BlackVotes.net with your networks to build awareness and encourage more people to get involved in shaping the future of politics.

Visit BlackVotes.net today to be part of this transformative movement and help pave the way for greater representation and impact in American politics.

Sharifah Hardie
BlackVotes.net
+1 562-822-0965
email us here

Howard University Initiative on Public Opinion Black Voters Kamala Harris Poll

In the wake of Vice President Kamala Harris's ascension as the presumptive nominee for the Democratic Party, the Howard University Initiative on Public Opinion conducted a poll on the opinions of Black voters July 22-24 in relation to Harris's candidacy. The report includes results from more than 2000 respondents from more than 30 states, weighted by gender and education level. Results suggest that Harris is best known for her advocacy for reproductive rights, that her best path to victory is to select a white male running mate, and that respondents view her as a politically moderate Democrat. The poll results also show that 93% of those polled plan to vote for VP Kamala Harris.

Read the poll results below:

Howard University Initiative on Public Opinion Black Voters Kamala Harris Poll by George L. Cook III on Scribd

BLACK VOTING RIGHTS HISTORY EXPLORED IN NEWSONE SERIES 'THE BLACK BALLOT'

iONE Digital's NewsOne.com has launched 'The Black Ballot,' a digital series that chronologically provides context and nuance to the Black vote since the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The series highlights the ever-changing political landscape, from the past leading up to the current 2024 presidential election season, race relations and the Supreme Court. The Black Ballot features the voices of prominent and thought-provoking journalists, activists, civil and political leaders and historians including journalist and host of The Don Lemon Show, Don Lemon, author and host of MSNBC's The ReidOut, Joy-Ann Reid, political analyst and co-host of Native Land Podcast, Tiffany D. Cross, peace advocate and CEO of The King Center, Dr. Bernice A. King, American philosopher and political activist, Dr. Cornel West, founder of the #MeToo movement, Tarana Burke, and many more.

Watch the first episode to take a step back in time and witness the monumental struggles and victories that shaped the Civil Rights Movement and the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, featuring commentary by Joy-Ann Reid, Dr. Bernice A. King, Brittany Packnett Cunningham and Dr. Ben Chavis.

Speaking on the importance of this series, Kirsten West Savali, iONE Digital's VP of Content shared: "The Black Ballot is a series that understands that Black people are neither monolithic, nor interested in propping up a political duopoly that refuses to prioritize the most targeted, marginalized communities among us. Voters must not only be informed about a candidate's politics, their values, and who and what they are willing to fight for and against, but the institutions and systems that shape the landscapes in which we vote."

"iONE Digital is proud to be in community with and pass the microphone to those in our communities doing the work to educate and inform all of us on where we have been, where we are now, and what lies ahead," Savali adds.

Full Series Synopsis: The Black vote has historically and remains to be an important voice in our democracy. NewsOne is highlighting the journey of the black vote via The Black Ballot. This iOne Digital series dives deep into the past 60 years since the passing of the Civil Rights Act that led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Black leadership has played an integral role in moving progressive legislation that benefits minority and disenfranchised communities. Through conversations and explanations by activists, passionate celebrities, political historians, and influencers, this series explores the lessons we can learn from our past, in order to understand how history continues to repeat itself in our present day. Each episode, in chronological order, explores how each American President's decisions and policies have impacted the short- and long-term trajectory of the conditions of the African American diaspora.

Series special guests:
Dr. Ben Chavis, Jr., Civil Rights Leader, President & CEO of NNPA & Host of The Chavis Chronicles • Lenny McAllister, Republican Political Commentator • Dr. David Johns, Executive Director, CEO, National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) • Tiffany Cross, Journalist & Co-Host of Native Land Podcast,• Samson Styles, Formerly Incarcerated Person, Producer & Journalist • Josiah Bates, Author & Journalist • Tess Owens, Reporter • Angelo Pinto, Esq., Social Justice Attorney & Co-Founder, Until Freedom Organization • Rae Lewis Thornton, Emmy Award-winning AIDS Activist & Author • Reecie Colbert, Host of Reecie Colbert Show • Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Activist & Host of Undistracted Podcast • Paul Glastris, Editor-in-Chief, Washington Monthly • Rep. Segun Adeyina, GA State Representative • Cynthia Morrison- Holland, Prison Reform Advocate •  Kasim Reed, former Mayor of Atlanta • Lisa Rayam, Host of Morning Edition (NPR) •  LaTosha Brown, Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter  • Dr. Cornel West, Independent Presidential Candidate & Political Activist • Prof. Steven F. Lawson, Professor Emeritus of History, Rutgers University • Tamika D. Mallory, Author, Social Justice Leader & Co-Founder of Until Freedom Organization • Joy-Ann Reid, Host of The ReidOut & New York Times bestselling author of Medgar and Myrlie  • Rep. Justin J. Pearson, Tennesse State Representative • Jarret Adams, Esq., Wrongfully Convicted Person & Criminal Defense and Civil Rights Attorney • Derrick Johnson, President of NAACP • Clay Cane, Host of The Clay Cane Show • Tarana Burke, Activist & Founder of the #MeToo Movement • Dr. Bernice A. King, Peace Activist & CEO, The King Center.

Trump Supporters Share Fake AI Images to Sway African American Voters

Pro-Trump conservatives are making a push to win over black votes to support the former president with images generated by artificial intelligence.

Conservatives have published dozens of false images designed to deceive the public, also known as “deepfakes,” featuring black voters wearing pro-Trump paraphernalia and standing around him, according to the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation).

NAACP Supports Reintroduction of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act

On Febrary 29, 2024 Sen. Raphael Warnock (GA) reintroduced the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. The bill, which the NAACP has signed onto, aims to revitalize the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by expanding the government's ability to respond to voting discrimination. The reintroduction of the act comes following a failed attempt at passage of the original bill, and increasing attacks on voting rights from courts and politicians across the nation.

NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson released the following statement:

"The NAACP is proud to support Senator Warnock's reintroduction of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act bill. Right now, Americans, particularly Black Americans' right to vote is under attack. While the NAACP remains unwavering in our efforts to litigate, agitate, and advocate, we can't do this alone. Federal action must be swift and decisive.

The reintroduction of this bill marks another pivotal moment in the fight to ensure every American has access to the ballot box. We know that democracy can't exist without the Black vote. Now, it's up to our leaders to protect it, ensuring that every voice is heard, and every vote counted. Together, we'll repair democracy."

This week, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson met with Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House to discuss voting rights in America. The NAACP is also currently litigating eight voting rights cases across the country. Ahead of the 2024 election, the Association has launched a multi-million dollar civic engagement campaign throughout 26 priority states in its ongoing advocacy efforts to preserve equitable access to the ballot box for Black Americans.

Al Sharpton Slams Donald Trump For Saying That His Indictments Appeal To Black voters

Days after Donald Trump commented that Black people relate to him because of his legal troubles, Rev. Al Sharpton spoke out against the likely Republican presidential nominee during an appearance on MSNBC's Morning Joe.

Recent poll shows Majority of Black Georgia voters dissatisfied with Gov. Kemp

A poll released Tuesday found Black voters in Georgia are dissatisfied with Republican Gov. Brian Kemp.

The survey, conducted by Black to the Future Action Fund and HIT Strategies, polled 1,200 adults in North Carolina, Georgia and California. The results found that 60 percent of Black voters in Georgia have unfavorable or very unfavorable views of Kemp.

Only 15 percent of respondents reported favorable views of Kemp, and 61 percent of Black voters in Georgia reported they are dissatisfied with the direction of the state.

“Republicans want you to think Black voters are flocking to them, but the reality is that Black voters are going to the polls with our priorities in mind – priorities that lift up our communities that the GOP doesn’t have policies for,” said Alicia Garza, principal of Black to the Future Action Fund, in a press release.

“Elected officials and candidates in these states must prioritize economic recovery, protecting voter rights and access and combating white supremacist violence to be responsive to their Black constituents,” she added.

The poll also showed Black voters’ top priorities this election cycle include inflation and cost of living, crime and gun violence.

Respondents also reported that things like white supremacy and nationalist violence, racism and discrimination and criminal justice reform, including police brutality, are getting worse around the country.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

WATCH: Stacey Abrams speaks to The Divine Nine in Atlanta

In a series of direct conversations with Black Georgians, Democratic candidate for Governor Stacey Abrams answers questions from radio host and personality Ryan Cameron. Abrams discusses the differences between her and her opponent, incumbent Republican Governor Brian Kemp, and her platforms. Watch that conversation below.

Are Black Men the Key to Stacey Abrams Becoming Georgia's Next Governor?

"The gap between Black men and Black women was the difference of 370,000 votes in Georgia, and so we do have to close that gap." Terrance Woodbury, Roland Martin, Cliff Albright and Tiffany Cross discuss the impact Black men can have on the Georgia elections.

Senator Raphael Warnock leading Herschel Walker among Black voters

Democrat Senator Raphael Warnock and his Republican challenger, Herschel Walker are tied at 46% apiece according to recent polling.

But when it comes to support among Black voters it's not close as Warnock holds a significant edge.

Eighty-three percent of Black voters said they support the Democratic incumbent, compared to only 7 percent who are backing Walker.[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Warnock run strongest among black women, with Warnock ahead of Walker 91% to 3%. Warnock also leads among black men, with Warnock holding a 74% to 11% advantage over Walker.

Judge strikes down parts of Florida election law that made it more difficult for African Americans to vote

A federal judge struck down portions of a Florida election law passed last year, saying in a ruling Thursday that the Republican-led government was using subtle tactics to suppress Black voters.

The law tightened rules on mailed ballots, drop boxes and other popular election methods — changes that made it more difficult for Black voters who, overall, have more socioeconomic disadvantages than white voters, U.S. District Judge Mark Walker wrote in his ruling.

“For the past 20 years, the majority in the Florida Legislature has attacked the voting rights of its Black constituents,” Walker wrote. Given that history, he said, some future election law changes should be subject to court approval.

Walker, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, also overturned a provision in the law putting new restrictions on groups that register voters, including requiring that people working to register voters submit their names and permanent addresses to the state.

Walker ordered that for the next 10 years, any attempt by the Legislature to write new laws on the issues he overturned will need court approval.

“Floridians have been forced to live under a law that violates their rights on multiple fronts for over a year," he wrote. “Without preclearance, Florida could continue to enact such laws, replacing them every legislative session if courts view them with skepticism. Such a scheme makes a mockery of the rule of law.”

Federal judges block Alabama’s congressional redistricting maps that dilute the Black vote

The Alabama Legislature’s redistricting plan for 2022 will not take effect for congressional races after a panel of three federal court judges found the map dilutes the voting power of Black residents and blocked the proposal.

Two separate federal lawsuits were filed against the redistricting map on claims that it violated the Voting Rights Act by packing Black Alabamians into a small number of districts — including one congressional district, Alabama’s seventh, represented by U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham — and limiting their influence on state elections.

Blacks comprise 27 percent of Alabama’s population yet only constitute one of the state’s seven congressional districts — or 14 percent of the districts. Alabama’s 7th Congressional District was first drawn in 1992.

The panel of three judges from federal courts in Alabama found that the plaintiffs are “substantially likely to establish” that the map violates the VRA, adding that “Black voters have less opportunity than other Alabamians to elect candidates of their choice to Congress.”

The Alabama Legislature has a variety of alternative redistricting maps they can consider, the judges noted, and said a new map “will need to include two districts in which Black voters either comprise a voting-age majority or something quite close to it.”

The panel said it would provide the Legislature with an expert to redraw the lines if Montgomery can’t come up with another map in two weeks.

“We are confident that the Legislature can accomplish its task,” the judges said, pointing out that lawmakers came up with the blocked map “in a matter of days” last year.

“Black people drove a disproportionate share of Alabama’s population growth. Throughout last year, Black Alabamians publicly called on the Legislature to recognize this reality and sought equal representation in Congress,” said NAACP Legal Defense Fund Senior Counsel Deuel Ross in a statement. “The state ignored these demands, but we are deeply gratified that the unanimous court found that Black voters deserve full representation now. We look forward to working with the Legislature to ensure that Black voters are fairly represented in any remedial map.”

[SOURCE: MSN]

North Carolina court blocks state voter ID law, citing ‘intent to target African American voters’

A North Carolina state court panel on Friday blocked a voter identification law, citing discrimination against Black voters.

The law, known as SB 824, was passed in 2018 after Republicans lost their supermajority in the legislature but before the new legislature took over. It was already on hold under a preliminary injunction, after North Carolina’s Court of Appeals said voter ID provisions could negatively impact Black voters. But now the state court has permanently blocked the law, which required photo identification to vote.

The majority of the three-judge panel said Friday that the law “was motivated at least in part by an unconstitutional intent to target African American voters.”

“Other, less restrictive voter ID laws would have sufficed to achieve the legitimate nonracial purposes of implementing the constitutional amendment requiring voter ID, deterring fraud, or enhancing voter confidence,” Superior Court Judges Michael O’Foghludha and Vince Rozier wrote in their ruling Friday.

In a statement, Southern Coalition for Social Justice co-executive director and chief counsel for voting rights Allison Riggs and pro bono counsel Andrew Ehrlich — attorneys who served on behalf of a group of North Carolina voters — said they “hope” the ruling sent “a strong message that racial discrimination will not be tolerated.”

The statement continued: “Today’s ruling striking down North Carolina’s latest unconstitutional photo voter ID law is a testament to the overwhelming evidence, including compelling stories of disenfranchisement from voters themselves, which highlighted how the state’s Republican-controlled legislature undeniably implemented this legislation to maintain its power by targeting voters of color."

[SOURCE: CNN]

National Black Voter Day is National Urban League's Answer to Voter Suppression

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League
 

“Too many people struggled, suffered and died to make it possible for every American to exercise their right to vote. And we have come too far together to ever turn back. So we must not be silent. We must stand up, speak up and speak out. We must march to the polls like never before. We must come together and exercise our sacred right.” – Congressman John Lewis

In April of 2019, the Associated Press released an analysis of census data and exit polling that reached a remarkable conclusion: the Black voter turnout rate in the 2012 presidential election exceeded the white rate for the first time in history.  A census report in May confirmed the AP’s findings.

Some researchers disputed the findings, contending that the milestone actually had occurred in 2008.

The Supreme Court’s 2013 decision in Shelby v Holder slammed the brakes on nearly five decades of progress on narrowing the gap between white and Black voter participation rates. By eliminating a requirement that the federal government approve election law changes in jurisdictions with a history of racial discrimination, Shelby unleashed a deluge of restricting voting laws throughout the United States. 

National Black Voter Day is our answer to voter suppression. It’s our answer to misinformation campaigns. It’s our answer to efforts to stoke racial division and diminish the voices of Black and brown Americans.

The National Urban League, in partnership with BET and other advocacy groups, designated September 18 National Black Voter day as part of our voter engagement and education campaign, #ReclaimYourVote.

We chose September 18 was because it is the first day for early in-person voting in the country. Although “Election Day” is more than six weeks away, voting has already begun. Thousands of North Carolinians have already returned their absentee ballots.

We’re asking Black Americans to make a plan. Will you vote in person, or by mail? If your state allows early in-person voting, what day will you vote? Where is your polling place? If you plan to vote by mail, what are the rules in your state? Do you need a witness when you sign your ballot, like the voters in North Carolina, opportunity to get voters registered, demystify the voting process, provide guidance on voting rights restoration for eligible voters, and help voters create their voting plan to plot a clear path to the ballot box.

We’ve broken the process down into five steps:

• Step 1: Register to Vote
• By federal law, no state can set its voter registration deadline any earlier than 30 days before Election Day. That means the earliest deadlines this year are October 5 – which is right around the corner.
• Step 2: Check Your Voting Options
• From in-person early voting to no-excuse voting by mail, voters in most states have more options in 2020 than in years past. 
• Step 3: Find Your Polling Location
• The coronavirus pandemic has led many jurisdictions to consolidate polling locations. Voters shouldn’t assume they’ll be able to vote where they’ve voted in the past.  
• Step 4: Know The Candidates and Issues
• Our vote is a powerful tool for effecting change, but only if we use it in an informed way. 
• Step 5: VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!

Between the time of the Shelby v. Holder decision and the 2016 presidential election, 9 out of the 15 jurisdictions previously covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act had new restrictions in place.  Texas announced within 24 hours of the decision that it would implement a strict photo ID law, and  Mississippi and Alabama, began to enforce photo ID laws that had previously been barred because of federal preclearance.

Black voter turnout fell from more than 67% in 2012 – more than 5 points above the white rate --  to just over 51% in 2016 – almost 4 points below the white rate.

We will not be defeated. The National Urban League continues to advocate for the restoration of the Voting Rights Act, and is committed to safeguarding the right of every American to fully participate in our democracy and civic processes.

Commenting on efforts to suppress the Black vote, the late Congressman John Lewis said, “I've seen this before. I've lived this before.”  Prior to the Voting Rights Act, he said,  “People stood in unmovable lines. They had to pass a so-called literacy test, pay a poll tax. On one occasion, a man was asked to count the number of bubbles in a bar of soap. On another occasion, one was asked to count the jelly beans in a jar—all to keep them from casting their ballots.

“Brothers and sisters, do you want to go back? Or do you want to keep America moving forward?”

NAACP SUES PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR SYSTEMATICALLY TRYING TO DISENFRANCHISE BLACK VOTERS

The NAACP sued President Trump, his presidential campaign, and the Republican National Committee (RNC) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia for systematically trying to disenfranchise Black voters in states across the country.

The lawsuit alleges that President Trump, the Trump campaign, and the RNC have engaged in a coordinated conspiracy to disenfranchise Black voters by disrupting vote-counting efforts, lodging groundless challenges during recounts, and attempting to block certification of election results through intimidation and coercion of election officials and volunteers. These steps to delegitimize our democracy were targeted in cities across the country with high numbers of Black voters. These actions are a clear violation of the Voting Rights Act and the Ku Klux Klan Act.

Derrick Johnson, President of the NAACP said, “President Trump and his allies have repeatedly and unsuccessfully tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election results and undermine confidence in our democracy. Across the country – from Detroit to Milwaukee, and Atlanta to Philadelphia – they have targeted areas with large numbers of Black voters and made baseless, racist claims to attempt to not count their votes. While all of the allegations have repeatedly gotten thrown out of court and no judge has found any evidence of election fraud, we cannot sit back and let these actions go unaccounted for. In order to protect the constitutional rights of millions of Black Americans, and ensure that our democracy is not delegitimized, we are bringing this lawsuit to protect the integrity of Black voters and the democratic process in which they participated and made their voices heard in record numbers.”

The NAACP joined a lawsuit that was filed on November 20th by the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF), on behalf of the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization and three Detroit residents.

President-Elect joe Biden to Black Community: I'll have your back

During his victory speech President-Elect Joe Biden took the time to thank Black voters for their support and to let them know that he will always have their back.

#BREAKING: President-elect Joe Biden pounds the podium: "The African American community stood up again for me. You've always had my back -- and I'll have yours." pic.twitter.com/tUg0651KJ6

— The Hill (@thehill) November 8, 2020

One million Black voters have cast ballots in Georgia

As Georgia wrapped up weeks of early voting on Friday for the Nov. 3 election, Black voter turnout had far surpassed the level seen at the same time in 2016.

Some 1 million Black voters have already cast ballots this year, up from 712,000 this time four years ago, according to TargetSmart, a Democratic analytics firm.

It is part of a rush to the polls in Georgia. More than 3.8 million Georgians had already cast ballots as of 5 p.m. on Friday, compared to 4.1 million overall in the last presidential election.

[SOURCE: YAHOO NEWS]

Black voters 'frustrated' by Trump debate comments

Some African American voters find it frustrating and exhausting that President Donald Trump did not condemn white supremacist groups and their role in violence in some US cities this summer.