I want to share this impact story with you. It illustrates how you are making a difference investing your time, talent, prayers and treasure.
On most Tuesday evenings some of our staff, volunteers and clients meet at the Ruth Snyder Re-Entry home for dinner followed by Bible study. A few weeks ago, there were only 3 of us when we were supposed to start which was very unusual. We did our best to keep the food warm as the clock ticked away. Ten minutes went by, no one. Twenty minutes went by, no one. Then the door opened and in came one volunteer and two clients, all with grins.
It was hard to miss the sticker each woman wore.
Now that may not mean a lot to you, but it did to them and to us. Before July 27, 2022, individuals in NC serving out felony sentences, in or out of jail or prison, were ineligible to register to vote. That means if they were serving probation, post-release supervision, or parole they could not vote until their sentence was completed.
Earlier in 2022, “a North Carolina superior court determined that denying voting rights to people serving felony sentences outside of jail or prison violates the state constitution.” This ruling is in appeal but in the meantime, men and women serving felony sentences outside of jail or prison may register and vote. For some, this is the first time they have been able to vote. This ruling gave 56,000 North Carolinians the right to vote.
One of the women at Bible Study, shared how she researched all the candidates so she could cast an informed vote. That Tuesday evening, before we ate dinner, we applauded this milestone with them. We are thankful for the volunteer who picked them up and took them to perform their civic duty by voting. May we never take our right to vote for granted. Not everyone has the same right to have their voice heard.
May we never take our right to vote for granted. Not everyone has the same right to have their voice heard.
