Trenton Souls to the Polls returns to help voters throughout Mercer County

TRENTON — Election season is almost over, and with it comes a last-minute need to get as many people as possible to the polls.

Voters in the Garden State already vote in person and by mail using a variety of options.

This Sunday, several organizations are teaming up to host the fourth annual Souls to the Polls in Trenton.

The NAACP hosts a national “Souls to the Polls” event to encourage voters to get involved, and the capital event is a local event that reflects national aspirations and sentiment.

Trenton NAACP President Austin Edwards, Esq. said he is trying to make it a fun community event to remind people that voting is their civic duty as well as an opportunity to have a good time with friends and neighbors.

“We want people to remember that voting is something you have to do,” Edwards said, “but we want it to be fun, so it’s something you want to do.”

The Trenton NAACP is teaming up with Rescue and Social Justice, Greater Mount Zion AME and the Christina Seix Academy for the party, which will also help area residents make their voices heard.

On Sunday at the Trenton Fire Department headquarters at 244 Perry St., starting at noon, anyone in Mercer County can vote in Trenton, and there will be free food and entertainment.

Souls to the Polls is very much what its name suggests: a faith-based community effort to remind people to vote.

But the event itself is more than just a reminder to parishioners to participate in the election process.

Free transportation will be provided from local churches to polling places thanks to the support of Christina Seix Academy. People interested in using this transportation can contact the Trenton NAACP through the Facebook group.

The goal of Souls to the Polls is not to promote a specific candidate, but to motivate the entire community to learn about all the contests and vote with confidence and information about who they are voting for.

“As nonprofits, we advocate for policies, not people or politicians,” Edwards said.

While acknowledging that this was not an original opinion, he reiterated the importance of the election.

“You need to vote for, not against. Start with your local dog kennel and work your way up to the federal level,” Edwards said. “Local elections affect your daily life much more than federal offices.”

“Local crackdown is the closest thing to an immediate answer to your needs,” Edwards said. “This is truly how you make your community a much better place. This is the first step.”

The event also aims to remind underrepresented communities how much work has been put in to get to where society is today.

“Especially in Trenton, which is predominantly Black and Hispanic, we have been denied access to the polls for years and generations,” Edwards said.

“Now that we have done generations of work to restore the rights of all people of color,” Edwards said, “including returning citizens, we have no excuse for not honoring the legacy and work of previous generations.”

In New Jersey, returning citizens can vote, and Edwards has partnered with Rescue and Social Justice to help returning citizens get back on track after being in the justice system.

“As long as you’re not sitting in a jail cell, you can vote,” Edwards said.

The groups behind Souls to the Polls have been running voter registration drives and educational events for months, many of which are supported by Mercer County Elections officials.

Current efforts are now focused on getting registered voters to vote.

Getting those voters involved in a presidential election year is great, but the community atmosphere and the educational portion of the groups’ efforts are aimed at getting voters out every year.

“I hope this inspires people to do more than just vote in the presidential election,” Edwards said. “Next year we will have elections for governor, caucus and several state senators. A year from now (Trenton) mayor and more council seats.”

“Doing your civic duty is 365. Going to council meetings, planning board meetings, school board meetings. Make your voice heard,” Edwards said.

“Every day is a story. So get out there and get involved.”