ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Past the primary, all political eyes are now set on November 3. Election Day 2020 will certainly be one for the books.
But 2020 is more than just a Presidential election year. It is now 100 years of women having the right to vote, with the 19th amendment passed in 1920.
What You Need To Know
- The 19th amendment was passed in 1920
- In 2020, we are now seeing controversy over mail-in ballots.
- Part 1: 100 Years of 19th Amendment: Florida's Role Before, During, and Now
- Part 2: 100 Years With The Right To Vote, Racism in Florida
If only the issues surrounding women's right to vote were completely behind us.
“One of the things that has come up at least for this 100 year anniversary is the Equal Rights Amendment. We are still fighting to get that passed," said Linsey Grove, St. Petersburg League of Women Voters President.
Sadly, many people are still fighting against racism today.
“We are seeing some of the same struggles with civil rights, with racial injustice, that we have seen in many other decades in the past," said Grove.
“Now we are faced with whether or not you have an ID, or whether or not if you moved to a different location or if your signature is as it was 10 years ago," said Terri Lipsey Scott, Dr. Carter G Woodson African American Museum Executive Director.
In 2020, we are now seeing controversy over mail-in ballots. Even this past weekend, a local Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Group held a Roll to the Polls in honor of the late Congressman John Lewis.
“We will not be deterred. So considering still the avenues we must take in order to ensure that our votes are cast, we must still remain creative, yet vigilant," said Lipsey Scott.
For others, it's not even necessarily having the right to vote, it's the feeling of voter apathy holding them back.
“We hear that a lot when we are out in the community. ‘I don’t vote because my vote doesn’t matter,” said Grove.
Instead, it is maybe better to think back in history and remember.
“If a vote had no power, it would not be denied," said Lipsey Scott.
After years of fighting for the right to vote, being able to vote should come with true appreciation. It means a person's say counts.
“The power of the vote is indeed critical. We cannot ignore the significance it has and the weight in which communities are shaped, and our lives to be lived," said Grove.
This is part 3 in a series of stories on the centennial of the 19th amendment.