Black Votes Matter expanded its efforts in Omaha during the recent election campaign

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Tim Johnson of North Omaha says he doesn’t see the point in voting.

“I’ve been down here for 30 years,” Johnson said. “It’s the same thing year after year, no matter how many black people get elected. It will be the same fight.”

Brian Kent said he understands that feeling, but it doesn’t deter him.

In fact, he has already voted by mail.

“I don’t like what most of them stand for either, but I still vote because everyone has an opinion,” Kent said.

That’s the mindset the Black Votes Matter Institute of Community Engagement group wants to grow in the community.

A year ago, she launched her campaign to encourage more North Omaha residents to vote in the 2024 election.

“It makes a difference who is in office,” said its president, Pastor T. Michael Williams. “It makes a difference in terms of policy. It makes a difference who they listen to, who they already listen to… And one of the most important things to remember is that it’s important for us to stay engaged. We don’t vote and go home. No, we vote and follow what those elected do.”

The goal was to register 15,000 new North Omaha voters by the 2024 election cycle and achieve 60 percent turnout in the primary election.

Both goals were not achieved last spring. However, Williams said he is still aiming for 70 percent voter turnout in the general election.

“We want the greatest turnout possible,” Williams said.

Black Votes Matter said it currently has just over 6,000 new registrations.

By this spring, they had canvassed Precincts 11 and 13 by knocking on doors and sending emails and text messages.

Since then, more people have been added to help with door-to-door walking and are expanding the work to other areas of the city.

“We have increased our mobilization to work with various entities in the community on voter registration,” said Pastor Dwayne Hawkins, director of the Get Out the Vote Summit. “Just today we completed our voter registration here at the Park North Tower and are making our way through each OHA tower to conduct voter registration.”

Hawkins said they would continue voter registration events until the deadline this Friday.

Black Votes Matter and the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Metropolitan Omaha will also provide rides to the polls.

They are still looking for volunteers to help with both efforts. If you are interested in getting involved, email [email protected].

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