Lufkin church offers transportation to voting locations

LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) - Historically, May elections have less voter turnout than November elections across all east Texas counties.

The Lufkin Christan Leadership Coalition Hosted an event Saturday to offer free transportation to the polls, free food and activities for kids to encourage the people of Lufkin to exercise their right to vote.

The Lufkin Christan Leadership Coalition started their event, Souls to the Polls, for the November 2022 election. They were out again today to encourage residents of Lufkin to vote in the school board and city council elections.

Andro Branch, chairman for the Lufkin Christan Leadership Coalition, said they want everyone to have their voice heard.

“We are empowering, encouraging individuals to go out, exercise their right to vote today, and by doing that we are offering free rides to the polls, and we’re offering free food and a lot of games and fun for the kids,” Branch said.

People could call the number provided, be picked up by a member running the event, taken to the polls to vote, fed a free meal then dropped back off at their homes.

Olivia Wilson is also with the Christan coalition, and she said November elections are important, but may elections are specific to local government and are important too.

“It takes a little bit more effort to make people understand this is a very important election that is happening today, and if they will participate, they can have a voice in making the decisions of how our local city school board and city government will operate,” Wilson said.

Mona Watts came to the event with friends, ate and then took the transportation provided to go vote.

“I got invited out, and I’m going to go vote because I know my vote is important, and it counts for the community,” Watts said.

Kermit Kennedy, Angelina County commissioner for precinct two, was also at the event encouraging people to vote.

“If you don’t vote, you don’t have a say in what’s going on in the community. You know we can get our voter card, keep it in our pockets, don’t vote and then complain on what’s going on, but you have to get out to express your vote,” Kennedy said.

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