Staying Positive:  Lifting up Voter Registration on MLK Day 2022

After a stormy snowy night, it was uncertain what the next day would bring.  MLK Day 2022 ended up being a sunny, wet, cold 34 degree day, but the Shoprite of Cheltenham Square was busy with bundled-up shoppers bustling in and out.  Community Hero Action Group and PA Youth Vote were on site talking to people about registering to vote and the important upcoming gubernatorial and senate races that are approaching.   It was so much fun working with our long-standing partner PA Youth Vote who was represented by their Executive Director, Angelique Hinton and also another staunch community advocate, Dean Beer, who was representing the Pottstown NAACP.  

Many shoppers had fun taking pictures with our “Super Voter” Pop-Ups.  So many great pics!  We had two surprise visitors with Kalell Edwards, Black Voters Matter PA Organizing Manager and also Sandy Brown, husband of Jeff Brown (President and CEO of Brown’s Super Stores).  #awesomesupporters! 

Many shoppers stated that they were already registered, so we still recommended they check their voter registration status to be sure there were no polling changes since the last time they voted.  We did hear more often than we wanted that many were not voting or did not want to register.  We had longer conversations with these individuals and encouraged them to stay engaged and that we can’t go home and sulk if we are upset and we have to stay involved in the system.  We have to continue to vote our voice and have a plan: know whether you are voting in person or by mail-in ballot, and if you’re voting in person, double-check your voting location.  Many listened.   With over 65 individual touches, it was still a good day.  In the spirit of MLK, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”  Until next time, remember to vote every six months.  #voteeverysix