It seems every time someone does something really looney, it turns out to be a Florida man. It’s become quite a joke, but this is not that Florida man and this is no joke.
BY JACK LEVINE
Florida is once again poised to serve as the center of the nation’s political universe. We are the third most populous state and the most powerful of all of the swing states.
Because the size of the Florida ballot is daunting, I’m an ardent advocate of early and mail-in voting to avoid any possibility of long lines on General Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd.
Please note that the Florida registration deadline for this year’s election is Monday, October 5th.
In my world of passionate and persuasive advocacy, not voting is an offense to our status as free citizens. Please do not fall into the trap of complacency. Let’s take every opportunity to accept the obligation to be dedicated citizens of this nation.
Have a “no excuses” attitude by committing to vote, ask others to join us in voting, and promote a positive approach to making a difference among family, friends, and colleagues.
Our vote is our voice…Exercising this right has been defended, fought for, and even died for.
It is my earnest hope that despite all of the negativity, vitriol, and divisiveness in today’s politics we can come to a place which brings us to pledge to participate as informed, active and dedicated voters.
I implore you to participate and encourage others to join you. Regret is preventable. November 4th is one day too late, and “could have, should have” are sorry alternatives to acting.
Have a “no excuses” attitude by committing to vote, ask others to join us in voting, and promote a positive approach to making a difference among family, friends, and colleagues.
I’m sharing a link to all of Florida’s 67 Supervisors of Elections if you have questions about locations for early voting, your designated polling site, or how to obtain a mail-in ballot Florida Elections Supervisors.
For additional information, please visit Vote.org or U.S. Vote Foundation.
Here’s an inspiring 2-minute video that perfectly portrays how one person made his way to exercise his rights….despite the sacrifice! Speakers up!
Census Deadline Looms – Please Promote Florida Full Count
The U.S. Census is an essential tool to document resident population, to calculate congressional representation, as well as determine funding formulas for vital services.
Florida had the third-largest number of omissions in the 2010 Census, omitting 1.4 million people. For each individual residing in Florida who is not counted, the state loses $1,445 per year or $14,445 over ten years. Overall, Florida lost more than $20 billion in federal funding between 2010 and 2020 because of omissions in the 2010 Census. Florida could have leveraged these federal funds for health care, child welfare, economic development, transportation, infrastructure, environmental protection, education, to name a few.
Here is a valuable site provided by our allies at the Florida Philanthropic Network Florida Census 2020 highlighting the importance of full count activities in the month ahead. Your sharing this resource among colleagues and allied organizations is a step in the right direction of full count!
My Advocacy Podcast and Voting Rights Article – Your Response Welcomed
I’m pleased to send this podcast (27-minutes) which I recently recorded…telling the story of my Dad’s influence in my career as an advocate.
An Advocate’s Voice – My Dad’s Influence – Speakers Up! If you have the opportunity to listen, thank you…Any comments would be appreciated.
In addition, here’s a featured article that will be published in an upcoming Journal of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors which focuses on the importance of Voting Rights with special emphasis on Women’s Suffrage. My dear Grandma Minnie (with photos) is the start of the article! Lessons from Our Elders – Voting Rights
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jack Levine, with 4 Generations Institute, in Tallahassee, Florida.
Jack Levine, the founder of the 4Generations Institute, is a Tallahassee-based family policy advocate. He may be reached at jack@4gen.org
The Advocate’s Credo:
Thou art my child, my parent, and my elder,
I love thee best,
But could not love thee half as much,
Loved I not all the rest.
Jack Levine