| Updated: 10/14/2012 11:54 pm |
Published: 10/14/2012 9:36 pm
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A Voter Education Forum was open to voters at the Rudisill North Regional Library on Sunday afternoon.
The forum was hosted by State Representative Jabar Shumate and State Representative-Elect Kevin Matthews and featured members of The Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus.
State Rep. Jabar Shumate said that the purpose of the day was to educate voters on what will be on the November ballot.
“It’s about educating yourself,” said Shumate, “ We don’t want anybody to feel intimated and a lot of times people feel intimidated about issues that they don’t know about.”
Rita Tharps said that she attended the forum to learn more about all aspects of the voters’ ballot. “I want to be more aware about what is going,” said Tharps.
Another voter, Gwendolyn Fields, told FOX23 that the right to vote is something that she takes very seriously.
“It’s the most valuable thing that I have,” said Fields, “It’s the only way that I have as a citizen to be counted, to be heard.”
District 1 City Councilman Jack Henderson attended the forum to do a presentation on Vision 2.
“North Tulsa has a real presence on the Vision 2 package,” said Councilman Henderson.
Henderson along with Shumate went over how Vision 2 could impact residents in North Tulsa.
”Most people don’t know that Vision 2 FUNDING means $50 million dollars for their community and education and safe places for our kids, and pools and development for north Tulsa one of the most disadvantaged areas,” said Shumate.
Shumate along with Representative-elect Kevin Matthews and Senator Judy Eason-McIntyre urged voters to vote ‘Yes’ on item 762, which would remove the Governor from the parole process. They urged voters to vote ‘No’ to State Questions 766,765,758,759 & 764.
Ultimately, it’s up to the voters to decide which boxes to check on the ballot but city and state leaders hope that the forum will inspire Tulsans to show up.
“I think that every person in the city of Tulsa all of the surrounding town should take that opportunity go vote,” said Henderson.
Another Voter Education Forum is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 3rd.
