SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Election Day is in six weeks. Whether one is casting a ballot by mail, early or on the day of, voting is making sure one's voice is heard.
Sunshine Clemons, an activist from Springfield, said it is important that minority communities are heard too.Â
"People need to voting or preparing to vote," Clemons said. "How every people are feeling, use your voice. If you're not, you're allowing things to happen to you."Â
That is why BET, the National Urban League and 50 partner organizations launched the first National Black Voter Day. The purpose behind the day is to ensure Black citizens that their vote counts too. Records show the Black voter turnout in Illinois has decreased.Â
2016 data from the Census Bureau showed 70% of Black Illinoisans were registered to vote. Out of the 70%, nearly 60% cast a ballot. In 2018, the percentage of Black registered voters decreased to just under 64%. About 51% actually voted. To Clemons, those statistics should push Black Illinoisans to vote.Â
"It is vital that we vote," Clemons said.Â
