Beginning today, and continuing for the next three Fridays, the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) will hold voter registration drives at state mosques to register Oklahoma Muslims in advance of the 2016 elections.
CAIR-OK will encourage those registering to vote to use their voice at the polls to challenge Islamophobia by voting for candidates who support diversity and pluralism in our state and country.
“It is vital that Oklahoma Muslims voice their concerns at the polls by voting for candidates that are representative of the diversity and pluralism that our community represents,” said CAIR-OK Executive Director Adam Soltani. “The future of our state and country will be decided later this year and we now have an opportunity to ensure it is a future that will be good for individuals from all walks of life.”
Efforts to register voters will concentrate on four Fridays at major mosques in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Volunteers will be posted at these locations to assist in filling out registration forms and to collect completed forms to be delivered to the appropriate County Election Board.
MUSLIM VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVES:
* Friday, May 13, 2-3:30 p.m. – Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, 3815 St. Clair Ave., OKC, OK 73112
* Friday, May 20, 1-3:30 p.m. – Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City & Islamic Society of Tulsa, 4620 S. Irvington Ave., Tulsa, OK 74135
* Friday, May 27, 1-3:30 p.m. – Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City & Islamic Society of Tulsa
* Friday, June 3, 1-3:30 p.m. – Islamic Society of Tulsa
CAIR-OK hopes the majority of the 35,000 Muslims living in Oklahoma will register to vote in the November 2016 elections.
“Registering to vote is the first step in engaging in the political process,” said CAIR-OK Operations Coordinator Anna Facci. “Many feel that their government does not represent them – voting is the first step to changing this sentiment.”
Registrants may also visit the CAIR-OK office to obtain a voter registration form as well as to access help with completing the application.
If you have any questions please contact Anna Facci at afacci@cair.com or 405-415-6851 Ext. 3.