Voter Registration Party in Harlem
A celebration of consumers' involvement in voter registration was held Friday, August 24th, at the Harlem Bay Network, a clubhouse for consumers located on 132nd Street and Broadway.
The late Ken Steele founded the Mental Health Voter Empowerment Project, which is still sponsored by the Mental Health Association of New York City. Miriam S. Wexler, who works at Harlem Bay as its special project coordinator, helps members who want to register to vote during intake. She encourages members to think of voting as a positive choice.
The party began with Harlem Bay's executive director Ray Bolling welcoming members, staff and friends. Mr. Bolling was proud that Harlem Bay recently received its three-year certification from the International Center for Clubhouse Development.
Mr. Bolling then introduced Ms. Wexler, who reminded us that minorities and women fought for the right to vote. Instead of taking this privilege for granted, she told members that if they formed a significant voting bloc, they could elect politicians with good records on mental health. She said, "The election is powerful because it's a means to choose. In mental health, the vote means education and information, so voters can make a choice." She urged consumers to come "out of the closet," no more shame in asserting freedom of choice. Things are better. New medications put us in a place where we can be involved and not apathetic.
More information on voting was discussed by New York City Board of Elections official Naomi Bernstein, who was glad to do this outreach in the community. She asked us if we are registered voters, and was pleased with the large show of hands. Ms. Bernstein said that we could be poll workers and make $25.00 after taking a training class and $30.00 if we pass a test. On Election Day, poll workers work from 6am to 9pm and are paid $200 for the day.
In response to questions, Ms. Bernstein said that consumers could get absentee ballots from the Board of Elections. These ballots make it easier for disabled people to vote if they aren't well enough to travel to the polls. If you change your name or address you don't have to reregister to vote but you do have to report it to the Board of Elections.
Ms. Bernstein offered to instruct anyone who wanted to learn how to vote by using a real voting booth, which was wheeled in for everyone to practice on. She reminded us that voting is our birthright, and we shouldn't take it for granted. One person asked why there are no voting machines in nursing homes. She answered that the board of elections felt it was in violation of election law not having the machines there, but candidates thought nursing home residents were told how to vote so they fought against it and won. Ms. Bernstein encouraged anyone with questions to call 866-VOTE-NYC.