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The Presidential Debates Are Over; President Obama Won!  Now It's Time to Really Get to Work:  MESSAGE FROM CONGRESSWOMAN YVETTE D. CLARKE

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

 I know you have all been following with great interest the Presidential debates between President Barack Obama and Mitt-Twit Romney.  Now that the last debate has been held, with a decisive victory under the President's belt, it's time to go to the next level.  We've got less than two weeks until the national election takes place.  And we have to make sure we stay informed and keep our neighbors, relatives and friends informed as well.

I just received this from Congresswoman Yvette Clarke that should be of interest to you - especially those of us in the New York City area, since we've been devastated by the redistricting (read gerrymandering) that's occurred over past year and a half.

And if you're fortunate enough to have Congresswoman Clarke as your representative, or Congressman-to-be Hakeem Jeffries,  or Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez, in Brooklyn; Congressman Charles Rangel in Harlem; Congressman Gregory Meeks in Queens - as well as other Black and white Democratic congressional candidates either running for office or re-election in other states.   Not only are 23 SEATS UP FOR GRABS, we want to make sure we send back those who are already incumbents as well.

We have double work to do RE-ELECT PRESIDENT OBAMA, AND GET A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.   

Congresswoman Clarke's message follows:

--- On Mon, 10/22/12, Yvette D. Clarke wrote:

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!!!

Dear Gloria:

We are just two weeks away from the Presidential Election on November 6.  Clarke for Congress is reaching out to make sure our supporters and constituents are prepared to go to the polls.

First, make sure you are properly listed in the voter registry.  This is especially important for folks who recently registered to vote.  Check your voter registration status at: http://voterlookup.elections.state.ny.us/.   Second, make sure you go to the correct polling site.  As a result of re-districting, your polling site may have been changed.  This is also an important step for persons who have submitted changes of address to the Board of Elections. Check for your polling place at: http://gis.nyc.gov/vote/ps/index.htm.

If you are registered to vote, but want to request an absentee ballot, first ensure that you are eligible to do so.  You are eligible to vote absentee in New York if you are:

• Inevitably absent from your county on Election Day.
• Unable to appear at the polls on Election Day due to illness or disability.
• A patient at a Veterans’ Administration Hospital.
• Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony

If you meet any of the previous criteria, you can download and complete the New York Absentee Ballot Application at: http://www.longdistancevoter.org/files/voter_forms/NewYork_absentee_english.pdf          

Please note the following deadlines for obtaining an absentee ballot:

•  Oct. 30 - Last day to postmark an application or letter of application BY MAIL for an absentee ballot.
•  Nov. 5 - Last day to apply IN-PERSON for an absentee ballot.
•  Nov. 5 - Last day to postmark ballot. Must be received by the local board of elections no later than Nov. 13. Military Voter Ballots must be received no later than Nov. 19.
• Nov. 6 - Last day to deliver ballot IN-PERSON to the local board of elections (by someone other than the voter).

This is a very important election; don't let others decide your fate.  Take the necessary steps to ensure your franchise; volunteer for your favorite candidates (I hope I'm one of them!); and on Election Day make sure you take as many friends, family members and neighbors as you can to the polls with you.  YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE!!

Moving Forward Together,

                                                                Paid for by Clarke for Congress

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