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NAACP voter registration set to run through October

By Juan soto

The NAACP wants every eligible voter to cast their ballots on every Election Day, which is why the civil rights organization held a rally to assist all southeast Queens residents to register to vote.

“If you don’t vote, you don’t count,” said Leroy Gadsden, president of the NAACP Jamaica branch. “If people want to determine their future, they have to go out and vote.”

City Councilman I. Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans), community and clergy leaders, participated at the voter registration drive that took place in front of the NAACP office, at 169-26 Linden Blvd. They encouraged the neighbors to register to vote and reminded them of the importance of the mid-term elections.

Gadsden said more than 20 residents registered and the NAACP will organize events to get people to vote until October.

“If we have to go to a party, to a barbecue, to a church, to register people to vote, we will,” said president of the organization said. “We are this serious.”

He is optimistic about getting more citizens to the polls.

“The turnout was good, and this was just the kick-off,” he said.

The NAACP leader insisted on the importance of one’s right to vote.

“The right to vote is much too important, and we are not going to lose that right,” Gadsden said. “We must get people to vote.”

Reach reporter Juan Soto by e-mail at jsoto@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.