Students learn power of ballot box on Voting Rights Act eve
Published 8:20 pm Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Brian Gosa shows Deandre Chestnut, 10, how to submit his ballot in a mock election Wednesday at the Dallas County Court House as part of the Selma-Dallas County Friends of the Voting Rights Trail’s two-day commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act.
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into federal law Aug. 6, 1965, making racial discrimination at the ballot box illegal.
Now 50 years later the Selma-Dallas County Friends of the Voting Rights Trail is commemorating that anniversary with celebration and education.
Christina Martin, 14, votes in a mock election Wednesday at the Dallas County Court House.
On Wednesday, the group held a mock election at the Dallas County Courthouse allowing youth from sixth grade to seniors in high school to see what it was like to vote.
“It’s very important that we start teaching these lessons to children and not waiting so long to introduce them to the concept,” said Brian Gosa, chairman of the celebration. “We just want them to get familiar with the process.”
As the children came in, they were met by Gosa and other organizers, who took the students through the voting process. They first filled out a voter’s “registration” card before the ballot was explained to them. The students then filled out a ballot and submitted it into voting machines.
“It’s for the kids. To increase their awareness to voting and to educate them on the process and what it’s like so they’ll have something to aspire to when they’re legally able to vote,” Gosa said.
With Selma playing such a huge role in the passing of the Voting Rights Act, Gosa said it is important for everyone to know their history and take advantage of the right that so many sacrificed for.
“It’s a fundamental right as a citizen, as an American, and so you need to be informed about voting and elections,” Gosa said. “Selma has been known as the birth place of the Voting Rights Act, so it’s very important to know your history and know the things that have happened here. But in knowing that history, it also brings about a great amount of responsibility for all of us as citizens here in Selma to know what voting means, and to exercise our vote, because if we don’t vote, our voice goes unheard.”
In addition to the youth mock election, there will also be a celebration Thursday at Phoenix Park from 4-8 p.m. for all ages. There will be food, music, games and more. Gosa said he encourages everyone to attend.
“It’s really just to celebrate the moment,” Gosa said.
