B-PEP, NAACP, THE URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER PITTSBURGH & THE CAMPAIGN FOR POWER URGENT CALL FOR VOTER REGISTRATION

The Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP), our partners, the NAACP Pittsburgh Branch, the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh and representatives of the CAMPAIGN FOR POWER have called this press conference to urge every non-registered individual in Western Pennsylvania to get registered over this weekend, and to have their voter registration form into the Allegheny Election Divisions Office, room 601 located at 542 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 by 5:00 pm MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020. As we all know the November 3, 2020 Presidential Election is truly one of the most important, if not the most important, of our lifetime. The future direction of the Supreme Court of the United States of America, as well as the federal courts throughout the nation is at stake. It is important to note that in many instances, Supreme Court decisions in recent years, have frequently been decided by one vote in many historic 5-4 decisions. Some of these decisions have impacted voting rights, including the gutting of the 1965 Voting Rights Act in 2013, civil rights, human rights, campaign financing (when corporations were decided to be viewed as people), as well as the decision in 2000 to literally stop the voting count in Florida. We must all remember that these Presidential appointments are LIFETIME APPOINTMENTS. Also at stake are key appointments cabinet offices and major departments that determines policies that can impact the nation, potentially for years to come! We remind people who still feel that their vote does not count to realize that the presidential election of November 2000, following thirty-four days of ballot reviews and legal challenges, was decided by only 537 votes. To those who support the current President and to those who do not, the fact is, in the end, the fate of the November 8, 2016 Presidential Election between Hillary Clinton and Donald J. Trump was won in the Electoral College by a total of only 77,741 votes, collectively between the Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania: 22,748 votes in Wisconsin; 10,704 votes in Michigan; and44, 292 votes in Pennsylvania. Voter registration for this Presidential Election ends this coming Monday, October 19th at 5 pm. VOTES COUNT!

Some of the voter registration efforts this weekend include the work of Campaign for Power partner Fawn Walker Montgomery and the Mon Valley voter registration and education activities as the YOunique Boutique in McKeesport, going on today from 2 pm to 5 pm, the weekend Satellite office of the Allegheny County Elections Division at the Hill District Shop N Save site, the Ross Pop Up Flea Market from 9 am to 2 pm in North Versailles, the Douglas Plaza Apartments on Laketon Road in East Hills/ Wilkinsburg area, door knocking and canvassing in the South Side/ Arlington Area. Westinghouse Coach Phyllis Jones will be handing out yard signs and door knockers in Rankin and the Braddock Area. B-PEP representatives will also be presenting a special power point presentation to young students from Allegheny County’s CISP Program. B-PEP will have its doors open at Freedom Unlimited, Inc., 2201 Wylie Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15219, on this coming Monday from 10 am to 4 pm for those who wish to register on the last day of voter registration, On Saturday, October 17th at 11:30 am we will be lining up on Crawford Street between Centre Avenue and Webster Avenue for another B-PEP/CAMPAIGN FOR POWER ‘CAR CARAVAN’, leaving by 12 noon, to go through various neighborhoods with our new B-PEP magnet signs urging people to REGISTER TO VOTE. B-PEP and the CAMPAIGN FOR POWER continue to urge people request their mail in ballot applications and to return the ballots immediately, by preferably October 21st, with October 27th being the last date by which mail in ballots can be received by the County Elections Bureau. B-PEP is also looking for volunteers to assist with B-PEP’s ELECTION PROTECTION PROGRAM on Election Day. People who wish to assist with any of the activities of the B-PEP and the CAMPAIGN FOR POWER may call us at 412-212-8775 or email us at BPEP.Pittsburgh@gmail.com. We have learned that the Allegheny County Elections Division is still in need of poll workers, primarily for some areas outside the City of Pittsburgh, with possibly some need for backups for the City itself. Poll workers will be paid $200.00 for the day. For information call 412-350-4500, or email electionscontact@alleghenycounty.us.