Black Voters Early Vote in Large Numbers
Black Churches in Southern Dallas led their members out to the polls in record numbers this Sunday. Voters at the Oak Cliff Sub Court House waited up to 3 hours to cast their votes, on a historic day for Dallas County.
A number of candidates used the event as an opportunity to gather last minute support for their campaigns. Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Chris Bell was among those who visited the Oak Cliff polling place, pressing the flesh with voters who stretched throughout the courtyard of the municipal site. Mr. Bell visited a number of black churches in Dallas on Sunday, including Inspiring Body of Christ, Central Pointe Church of Christ, Kirkwood CME Temple, and a second trip to Friendship-West Baptist Church.
Other politicians on hand were U.S. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, State Senator Royce West, and Dallas City Councilman Don Hill. Dallas County District Attorney hopeful Craig Watkins was also present and accounted for, as were Dr. Jerry L. Christian, Sr., Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III, Lynn Flint-Shaw, and Willis Johnson. But today was not about personalities; it was about the people. On a beautiful fall Sunday afternoon, men and women, boys and girls, were all out on one accord. There were a few media outlets there, but I’m sure most of them were out chasing ambulances or listening to the police scanner.
Though the Oak Cliff Sub Courthouse had the largest turnout, voters cast their ballots in large numbers at The Martin Luther King Center,and the Samuell-Grand Recreation Center. This was a great model for future elections, as the black church has always been the political engine of the black community. I would hope th
