Philadelphia Chapter Of NAACP Hopes To Boost Voter Turnout For Next Month's Primary
By Mike Dunn
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The local chapter of the NAACP is focused on next month's primary in two ways: they hope to increase voter turnout and they want support for a ballot question involving control of the Philadelphia School District.
The head of the Philadelphia NAACP, Minister Rodney Muhammad, says the chapter takes no position on any of the candidates who will appear on the May 19th primary ballot. What is important, he says, is simply convincing people to vote, particularly those who his group represents. So Muhammad says the NAACP will launch a full get-out-the-vote effort on election day.
"The NAACP, to fight growing voter apathy and the decline in voter participation, we will engage a plan and strategy to exceed the dismal 20 percent voter turnout we saw in the last election."
Part of the strategy, he says, is getting residents to vote "yes" on a ballot question on returning the school district to local control.
The question is non-binding -- state officials have final say on governance -- but Muhammad says a strong result would send a clear message to Harrisburg.
"This question is something that we can call the public to, and we can begin to have a larger discussion. And I believe we can put the pressure on to start making the officials that are involved start take the necessary steps to bring us back to local school governance."
Anyone who wants to volunteer for the NAACP's primary day efforts should call 215-232-3837.
