Voter registration numbers are a good sign for democracy
By STEVE PENN
The Kansas City Star
Almost a quarter of a million people. That’s how many voters are on the rolls, eligible to go to the polls for next month’s presidential election in the area overseen by the Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners.
To be exact, the board says, 224,344 voters are now registered, up from about 206,000 for April’s local election.
The question now: How many of those registered voters will follow through and head to the polls on Nov. 4?
The deadline for voter registrations was Wednesday. On Thursday and Friday, the election board staff was still trying to process last-minute registrations. Of the current batch of registrations, 27,753 have been filed since January.
But even with the board office deluged with last-minute registrations Wednesday, members of Sen. Barack Obama’s local campaign stopped by to drop off more — and to leave cookies as a thank-you to the election board staff.
“It was very busy here on the last day of registration,” said Shelley McThomas, the board’s Democratic director. “The phones were ringing off the hook. It felt like it was Election Day.”
Because the board was still processing the registrations, the overall number of registered voters will likely go even higher.
“Some of us are betting that it tops off at right around 230,000,” McThomas said.
•••
The 43 members of the Jackson County chapter of the Links Inc. hosted the first-ever Delores Maxwell Walk for Health and Wellness last Saturday at the track at Ruskin High School.
About 150 people came out to walk and thus raise money for the Sarcoma Alliance. Participants were also able to take advantage of free health screenings and voter registration.
Established in 1946, the Links is a volunteer service organization of around 12,000 professional women of color in 270 chapters. The Jackson County chapter has been serving Kansas City since 1982.
Members were inspired to hold the event as a tribute to the local Links chapter president, who is undergoing a personal battle with sarcoma.
“Mrs. Maxwell has influenced the lives of generations of Kansas Citians both during her 30-year career as a principal of James Elementary School (and) as an avid community volunteer,” said Michelle Paige, who served as the co-chairwoman of the walk.
I spoke with Maxwell earlier this week, and she was still in awe of the support she received. Maxwell was diagnosed with sarcoma, a form of cancer, in 2006.
“I’m overwhelmed with the support from all my friends and family,” Maxwell said. “I try to give to others as much as I can. You try to touch peoples’ lives. Maybe because of one small thing you’ve done for them, they return it with this kind of a favor. It’s overwhelming to me.”
•••
His story illustrates the power of the human spirit over incredible obstacles. On Monday, Ralph Green will share his amazing story with Kansas Citians.
Green was once a five-sport star in high school. In an instant, his life changed when he was shot. The bullet shattered his leg, which had to be amputated at the hip.
While Green lost his leg, he didn’t lose his will to live or to compete. In fact, Green eventually learned to ski. He became the first African-American male to make the U.S. Disabled Alpine Ski Team.
On Monday at 7 p.m., the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum will hold a discussion with Green that I will moderate. In the promotional information, Green addresses his fear.
“I’m not scared to go fast,” Green said. “I’m not scared to crash. But I’ve learned you have to finish. And that’s what I’m doing now. Fear is not a factor.”
To reach Steve Penn, call 816-234-4417 or send e-mail to spenn@kcstar.com.
Join the discussion
Share your observations and experiences about news. Lively, open debate is the goal, but please refrain from personal attacks or comments that are racist, vulgar or otherwise inappropriate. If you see an inappropriate comment, please click the "Report as violation" link to notify a KansasCity.com editor. Thanks for your feedback.