By Elle Nina Love
Black voter turnout will most likely be a, “strong 40 percent”, said Preston Love Jr., Black Studies professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and founder of Black Votes Matter Omaha.
Love said throughout the presidential years, North Omaha – mostly populated with a majority of black voters – had a 62 percent turnout in 2008 for former President Barack Obama’s first term. Obama’s second term garnered a 55 percent turnout in 2012. However, black voter turnout plummeted to 27 percent in the 2014 midterm election. In the 2016 presidential election, 47 percent of black voters turned out.
“I see great potential this time in this midterm election than all of them,” Love said.
Love said one of the contributing factors to the predicted turnout is the reaction to the Trump administration.
“We’re in a country that works against everything that this community believes in and for that reason,” Love said, “voters have gotten emotionally involved in trying to make a change.”
Love said Initiative 427, the Medicaid expansion bill, is another possible motive.
“This community has a lot to gain with that expansion,” Love said.
Love said two black candidates “could make history” if they are elected – Spencer Danner, Secretary of State Democratic candidate, and Mike Hughes for Douglas County Sheriff. Both Danner and Hughes are from North Omaha.
The mission of Black Votes Matter Omaha is to let the North Omaha community know “their votes – Black votes – North Omaha votes matter,” Love said. He said if they do not vote, initiatives such as the Medicaid expansion will not pass.
Ricky Smith, Omaha Public Schools board member, said people often don’t realize how their vote can impact their community and nation.
“Knowing that my vote counts right here in my community pushes me to make sure that my voice is heard,” Smith said. “You use your votes as your voice.”
Love said North Omaha votes are just as important as any other regional votes.
“Our votes matter,” Love said. “That’s the big message. It is easily said but hard to convince.”
Love criticized candidates who only come to the North Omaha community during election time.
“Many of the candidates would come during the election time, pat us on the head and make a few appearances,” Love said. “Then we don’t see them ever again. Many candidates do it over and over.”
Love said the only way to notice that Nebraska candidates are listening to the North Omaha community is “to see what they do after.”
“One of the advantages of having the candidates come to our community is that they learn about what the community has to say,” Love said. “The visits should involve more listening than talking.”
Love said the North Omaha community does not want candidates to ignore the ongoing issues that matter to residents.
He said the midterm election is an important time for the country, the state and the city.
“I’m hoping that people understand the dynamic importance of this election because it’s going to change history,” Love said, “either negatively or positively based on the results.”
