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Sunday, October 19, 2008
As the humanitarian situation in Somalia is deteriorating by the day and the suffering of Somali people continues unabated, Somali Cause is convinced more than ever that participation in the American political system becomes a civic duty for every concerned Somali American who wants to bring a positive change to the United States policy towards Somalia. Somalis everywhere are now engaged in propagating awareness of the disastrous situation in Somalia and are translating their efforts into concrete actions.
Given the number of Somalis in the U.S., particularly in crucial swing states, such as Ohio and Minnesota, Somali Cause believes that Somali-Americans could play an important role in choosing the next President of Unites States and in fostering sound and just US policy towards Somalia.
Somali Cause, an umbrella organization of Somali organizations is organizing a voter registration drive for Somali American communities in the United States.
Reasons why Somali Americans SHOULD VOTE:
- Demand accommodation of Islamic religious requirements in the Workplace and in Schools
- Create a safe and drug-free environment for families
- Challenge discrimination and stereotyping
- Encourage foreign and domestic policies that are based on justice
- Encourage positive and constructive U.S. policy towards Somalia
- Decide how your tax dollars are used
WHO MAY REGISTER TO VOTE?
To be eligible to vote, a person:
a) Must be a citizen of the United States
b) Must live in the state where he/she is registering
c) Must be at least 18 years old by the date of the next general election
d) Must not claim the right to vote in any other state
The facts and the value of a vote:
- In 1645, ONE VOTE gave Oliver Cromwell control of England
- In 1649, ONE VOTE caused Charles I of England to be executed
- In 1776, ONE VOTE gave America the English language instead of German
- In 1839, ONE VOTE elected Marcus Morton as Governor of the State of Massachusetts
- In 1845, ONE VOTE brought the State of Texas into the Union
- In 1868, ONE VOTE saved President Andrew Johnson from impeachment
- In 1876, ONE VOTE gave Rutherford B. Hayes the presidency of the United States.
- In the 1847 election for the U.S. House of Representatives in Indiana's 6th District, Whig candidate George G. Dunn defeated Democratic candidate David M. Dobson 7,455 to 7,454. Also in 1847, Whig Thomas S. Flournoy defeated a Democratic candidate named Treadway 650 to 649 in the race for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 3rd District of Virginia.
- In the 1829 election for the U.S. House of Representatives in Kentucky's 2nd District, Jackson Democrat Nicholas Coleman defeated National Republican Adam Beatty 2,520 to 2,519.
- In 1989, a Lansing, Michigan School District millage proposition failed when the final recount produced a tie vote, 5,147 for, and 5,147 against. On the original vote count, votes against the proposition were ten more than those in favor. The result meant that the school district had to reduce its budget by $2.5 million
- In 1997, South Dakota Democrat John McIntyre led Republican Hal Wick 4,195 - 4,191 for the second seat in Legislative District 12 on election night. A subsequent recount showed Wick the winner at 4192 - 4,191. The State Supreme Court, however, ruled that one ballot counted for Wick was invalid due to an overvote. This left the race a tie. After hearing arguments from both sides, the State Legislature voted to seat Wick 46-20.
DO NOT TAKE THIS LIGHTLY. YOUR VOTE DOES COUNT.
Federal Election Commission, (800) 424-9530
Frequently Asked Questions about Voter Registration and Voting
http://www.fec.gov/ans/answers_general.shtml
To join this effort, please contact us at:
Abdulkadir Abdirahman
Somali Cause
Washington DC
202 285 0780
[email protected]
OR OUR CHAPTERS IN;
Minnesota
Mohamed Wardheere
612 251 1433
Massachusetts
Mohamed Mohamud
617 413 4549
Ohio
Abdirahman Yare
614 588 6697
Maryland
Mumin Barre
240 498 4102
Virginia
Abdirahman Dahir Waamo
703 851 6388