OPINION: Citizen alerts – before, during, and after the General Election

By Ivory Phillips

JA Contributing Editor

Just because America was declared a democracy promising citizens have the right to voice their opinions on policy and personnel matters, just because citizens have had that right since 1788, 1870, 1920, 1965, 1971, or whichever date their group was opted into the process, and just because virtually all citizens have the necessary education to know how to make political choices, does not mean all is well in American democracy. 

Indeed, because this country has become so large, the society so diverse, and the issues so complex, we find it important to trumpet several alerts germane to this General Election and perhaps future ones, assuming we get this election right. If we get this election wrong, there may be no such future opportunity.

Pre-Election Alerts

A few days remain to prepare for the election by getting citizens informed and out to vote. We realize how long and hard many have already worked to prepare citizens. However, we also know many of the alerts should be repeated to ensure heard by all eligible voters before Election Day, November 3, 2026. Among these are: 

(1) Check to make certain you and yours are properly registered, and in the place where you should be before going to the poll. 

(2) Speak with as many friends, neighbors, and acquaintances as you can before Election Day, informing them of where candidates stand on crucial issues, the importance of this election, their vote really counts, the value in choosing your preferred candidates, and staying connected to effective voting rights groups in their area . 

(3) Develop a plan to get yourself and help others to the polls on Election Day.

Election Day Alerts

(1) Persons having voted early should make themselves available to assist others in getting to the polls on Election Day. 

(2) If encountering any difficulty receiving your ballot, before leaving the polling place make certain you seek assistance – lawyers, trained voting specialists, and other monitors likely will be readily available. 

(3) When casting your ballot, make certain the voting machine is set to record the actual choices you made before finally casting your ballot.

(4) If you observe any irregularities occurring in or near the polling place, immediately inform staff at your candidates’ campaign headquarters.

Additional alerts regarding steps voters should take on Election Day are provided by many public agencies and private sector organizations. Among these are: the Mississippi Secretary of State, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the NAACP. For information on Mississippi elections, see the NAACP Voter Guide at https://naacp.org/resources/mississippi-voter-guide

Post-Election Alerts

Stay alert after the vote ends. In the event there are disputes about election results, voters should make themselves available to serve as witnesses if needed regarding their first-hand personal observations and knowledge of the voting process and vote-count. 

Regardless of the outcome of the election, citizens should come together in order to effectively pressure the winning candidates to follow through on their campaign promises and steadfastly represent the issues desired by the citizens. Citizens also should help develop future candidates for elected public office.

After all, America can only remain as democratic as it is, and more importantly, become the free and just society dreamed of by many, through the vigilance and actions of the citizens themselves.