This election is far too important to be denied the opportunity to vote for the candidates of your choice simply because YOU DID NOT REGISTER IN TIME. The deadline in my state is October 4th in others its October 20. We need to get the word out and make sure that everyone we know and everyone they know is registered to vote. If you don't know the deadline for your state, Rock the Vote has a complete list. Go there today! Please! Don't Delay!

And when you vote, I strongly suggest that you take every bit of identification you have, along with your voter's registration card. Birth certificate, drivers license, passport, first grade report card - Any and Everything that can prove who you are and your right to vote. This is serious business and not to be taken lightly. Folks will do anything to keep you from voting in this election - don't let mistaken or unverifiable identity be one of them.

Check out this recent Newsweek article about how the Republicans intend to deny your right to vote in selected states and counties.

The motive here is political, not racial. Republicans aren't bigots like the Jim Crow segregationists. But they know that increased turnout in poor, black neighborhoods is good for Democrats. In that sense, the effort to suppress voting still amounts to the practical equivalent of racism.

While I might take issue with the Republicans aren't bigots line, it is true that the Republicans intend to win this election and will do nothing short of fraud to do it. Its not like we've not been thru this before.

So, let's STOP THEM IN THEIR TRACKS!

1. Go to Rock the Vote to find out the deadline to register and file an absentee ballot for you state.

2. Find your voter's registration card. Don't rely on the fact that your name appeared on the voting roll of your precinct when you voted or caucused during the primary season.

3. Find out exactly what identifications are necessary for you to vote. If you need a drivers license - GET ONE! If you don't have an identification card for your state - GET ONE!

4. Make sure that everyone you know who is of voting age - young and old - are registered and has the proper and necessary credentials to go to the polls.

5. If you or you know someone who was convicted of a felony, that doesn't necessarily mean that you can't vote. This table at USA Today, shows a complete list of voting restrictions by state. If I interpreted the table correctly, folks in Maine and Vermont can vote even while incarcerated. Just a word to the wise, though, I'd just double-check and verify the info provided in the table.

6. IF POSSIBLE, TAKE NOVEMBER 4 OFF FROM YOUR SIDE OF THE PLANTATION TO TAKE FOLKS TO THE POLLS. PARTICULARLY THE ELDERLY AND FIRST TIME VOTERS. The elderly and first time voters will no doubt be targets because they may be unfamiliar with the process.

WE HAVE TO DO THIS BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY!

Speak the Truth!

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old SjP ain't got nothing more to say.