New York Clergy launches voter registration drive

New York City religious leaders from various denominations have launched their month-long houses of worship voter registration drive.

The religious leaders converged in the Bronx at a historic nonpartisan clergy press conference on Wednesday April 28, 2021, 12:00-1:00 pm at steps of Bronx County Building, 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York 10451. Corner of 159 Street and Grand Concourse.

While speaking about the launch, a clergyman, Sheikh Musa Drammeh, said, “Despite enormous resources and efforts to excite citizens to participate in their civic affairs during election seasons, poor communities still experience a continued low voter registration and even lower voter turnout.”

“Furthermore, since we are a city with large immigrant and formerly incarcerated populations, registering qualified citizens has become one of the most patriotic services religious leaders can provide,” he added.

Drammeh stated that organizations and houses of worship would be used to “help end this chronic low political participation among our congregants by jointly holding voter registration drives this year, from April 28-May 28th, and voter mobilization leading up to the primary thereafter. May 28th is this year’s registration deadline for those planning to vote in the primary.”

“The clergy, like the unions, can make the greatest impact with this month-long voter registration drive. Every house of worship is expected to have a voter registration desk with experienced volunteers. It would be a shame if we experience the usual low voter turnout this year when almost all political positions will be filled with new leaders. If there ever was an opportunity to create changes from the top, it is this year,” Drammeh noted.

He maintained that help would be provided for clergy who need assistance.

“We can provide registration applications and answer all questions about the upcoming elections, including Ranked Choice.

“Due to the daunting challenges faced by city’s residents, including our congregants, there’s no higher calling for us than to coordinate voter registration and mobilization during this election season. The press conference is open to all clergy regardless of political party or which candidates that clergy support individually,” Drammeh concluded.