LAKELAND, Fla. – Several black congregations across the Tampa Bay area participated in "Souls to the Polls."
- Black congregations participate in "Souls to the Polls"
- Goal is to get members to vote
- 26 percent of black voters in Polk Co. voted in primaries
It's an effort to get members out to vote directly after worship service.
Greater New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Lakeland was one of the many congregations that participated.
"We have to get out there," Lashana Joe told the congregation during worship service. "As the black church we have always been the leader in the communities about getting things done. Today we have to continue that work."
"It is so critically important that we vote, that we vote, that we vote, and that we understand how important this vote is," civil rights activist Bernice Evans said.
People of all ages participated in Souls to the Polls, including first-time voter Landlin May, a student at Southeastern University.
"I feel good because I feel like I'm a difference maker," May said. "It really feels good to be exercising my rights."
According to the Polk County Supervisor of Elections Office, only 26 percent of registered black voters in the county voted during the primary election.
"That's awful," Evans said.
The 80-year-old has faith the black voter turnout for this midterm election will be different.
"They're going to show up and show off," Evans said. "They're going to pull the ballots. The Democrats are going to be winning all over the place."
Of course, the Republicans would say we'll see about that.
Early voting continues through November 4 for Polk, Hillsborough, and Pinellas counties, and ends the evening of November 3 for voters in Pasco, Manatee, Citrus and Hernando counties.