DOTHAN, Ala. – People in the wiregrass had the opportunity to register to vote and get a free photo identification card today in Dothan.
The Ordinary Peoples Society spent Thursday changing lives one picture at a time.
TOPS partnered with the Office of the Secretary of State to host a voter registration and photo identification card drive.
“With our turnover of over 10,000 voters in Alabama in this last election cycle this is another beginning to the process of getting us ready for the local elections,” says TOPS executive director Rodreshia Russaw.
The drive targeted those who were formerly incarcerated and the homeless population.
It eliminated issues that were holding some in the Wiregrass back from already having a photo ID, like having to schedule an appointment weeks out at the driver’s license office, being nervous about standing in a long line at the DMV during the pandemic or having no transportation.
“For them to be here and bring it centralized and bring it home to the heart for people to feel comfortable it’s just another step in making sure that our community members are really being served,” says Russaw.
With just ten minutes, a little paperwork, and a smile participant received their photo voter ID card and access to new opportunities.
“Now they are able to obtain housing, they’re able to obtain employment, they’re able to employ get services from other organizations that we partner with such as 2-1-1 knowing that they have,” says Russaw.
They also gained a new source of confidence.
“Now they can probably smile and say this is my voter ID card,” says Russaw.
TOPS says their next plan is to step into the redistricting process to ensure the community’s voice in the legislature.
