ORLANDO, Fla. — As this year's Election Day quickly approaches, efforts to increase voter turnout are picking up across Central Florida.
That was on full display Saturday in several communities across Orlando.
What You Need To Know
- Voting rights organizations 'Black Voters Matter' spent Saturday reaching out to communities in Orlando
- The push for voter outreach comes just before early voting begins on Monday in several counties
- Organizers plan to head to the St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay Area on Sunday
"There's a lot of great energy out there," said Cliff Albright, the co-founder and executive director of Black Voters Matter.
Albright has dedicated years of his life advocating for equal rights.
Much of that fight starts with voting and uplifting marginalized voices.
Touring a bus across the country is another way of letting people know just how important it is to exercise their rights.
"We won't quiet down, we won't settle down, we won't lay down, and we won't Black down," Albright explained.
He and a group of his colleagues spent the day trying to reach Black and Brown communities ahead of Election Day. Their goal is to help inform them on questions they may have about voting.
"Sometimes they get passed by," Albright said. "We'll stop, and we'll talk to them, and we'll just ask them what's going on their life. What's the thing you care most about? People appreciate that kind of conversation and not being ignored," he continued.
Among the locations, the bus stopped at were Paramore, Barnett Park, and Washington Shores.
Each community was also a chance to let residents know about their nearby polling locations.
On Monday, early voting begins in several local counties.
Albright believes it's vital that people know who and what's on their ballot.
"A lot of times, people are even emotional about it. We've seen people cry tears of joy from seeing the bus come through to their community."
With only a few weeks left until Election Day on November 8th, Albright says they'll use the rest of this time to reach other cities as well.
They plan to head to the St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay Area on Sunday.
"That's why we do the work that we do today. By connecting with local groups and getting them resources," he said.