Martin Luther King III and his wife, Andrea Waters King partnered with the Harris-Walz campaign to host an in-person early voting event.
Waves of voters were in and out of the Buckhead public library branch on Monday afternoon, eager to cast their ballots and contribute to the upcoming election. King said their message to all voters is to “come out and vote early.”
“Come and vote early because it’s the best way to make sure your vote is counted and it’s the best way to make sure you do your civic duty,” he said. “My father once said, ‘A voteless people, are a cowardice people,’ we must ensure everyone in Georgia gets to the ballot box, the earlier the better.”
Waters King said they want to ensure everyone knows and sees how easy it is to vote early and talked about her daughter, Yolanda Renee King, and others losing their rights.
“Today was an incredibly special and powerful day because as a mother of a 16-year-old who has progressively lost rights the day she was born, she and her peers have fewer rights than the day they were born,” she said. “This day, certainly for us, is crucial but most importantly for all the roles and people coming behind us.”
King also said this year is one of the most consequential elections and one of those issues, he said, on the ballot is “Is Democracy Sustainable” and he believes more young people need to go out and vote.
“It’s very dangerous to hear a candidate talk about being a dictator and we should all be beyond concerned. When someone tells you who they are, believe them the first time,” he said. “When we talk about democracy, it’s about everyone, but we want everyone in this state registered.”
Additionally, he says there’s a significant role to play every election cycle, but this one is “as critically important” as those in the past. “There’s a lot of momentum all around the country and especially in the light of the fact some are trying to change voting provisions and getting restrictions in place to make it harder for voters.”
Furthermore, 1.4 million ballots have been cast in Georgia since early voting began last Tuesday. Waters said it’s important to see such a record turnout.
“We know and understand that we can do this in spite of laws that’s been passed to make it harder to vote,” she said. “It’s showing people have a hunger to make their voices heard and no matter the hindrances, more than ever, people are wanting to make sure they are heard, felt, and standing for democracy.”
Early voting began Oct. 15 and will end Nov. 1, Election Day is Nov. 5. For more information about early voting, visit https://georgia.gov/vote-early-person.
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