Jacksonville Alphas provide voter information forum ahead of August primary

When Duval County’s electoral turnout fell well below expectations two years ago, it motivated the Upsilon Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. to increase its voter mobilization efforts ahead of the 2026 election season.

Tuesday night, the chapter shared information about the impact of congressional redistricting on Duval County; changes the Florida SAVE act will have on casting ballots; how to become an active voter again; and the process for casting a provisional ballot.

Answers to those questions were provided by Jennifer Casey, the director of Education and Outreach for the Duval County Supervisor of Elections Office and political strategist Ywana Allen.

Election 2026 Frequently Asked Questions

• Florida’s congressional redistricting that was approved in April will not affect Duval County.
• The Florida SAVE Act, which will require voters to prove citizenship, will not go into effect until Jan. 1, 2027. There will be no effect on the Aug. 18 primary nor the Nov. 3 general election. However, Duval County voters may need to update their voter registration information prior to the March 2027 municipal elections.
• A person who has not participated in two consecutive federal elections is considered an inactive voter. They can become an active voter by either updating their address information with the Supervisor of Elections Office or reregistering entirely.
• Someone who casts a provisional ballot has until the Thursday after the election to provide the Duval County Supervisor of Elections Office with information that will allow officials to count their ballot. For the August primary that deadline is 5 p.m. Aug. 20. For the November general election that deadline is 5 p.m. Nov. 5.

Outgoing Duval County School Board member, and longtime Alpha, Darryl Willie moderated.

Casey said the deadline to register to vote in the August primary election is Monday, July 20.

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Casey noted that registered voters who want to change their party affiliation in time for August also must make that change by Monday.

Casey reminded attendees that all Duval County voters, regardless of party affiliation, will be able to vote in the City Council At-Large Group 1 race in August.

Casey added the deadline to request a vote by mail ballot is 5 p.m. Aug. 6.

Participating in the voting process

In 2024, 73% of eligible voters in Duval County participated in the general election. That was the lowest turnout for a presidential election in 20 years.

The Black and Hispanic electorate — of 66.4% and 64.5% respectively — participated at lower levels than 79.1% of white voters in Duval County.

“There are people who died in order for us to be able to have the right to vote,” says Dweise A. Harris, president-elect of the Upsilon Lambda chapter. “Voting is our voice. Our voice is important. Voting, a lot of times, affects what’s happening now and in the future for future generations. It’s important to get out and vote because that is our voice.”

The Upsilon Lambda chapter is one of Jacksonville’s oldest community service organizations. Since 1925, its membership has advocated for voter registration drives, provided voter information and pushed public policies that uplift Black Americans.

“The reason why we (were) here at this Voteless People is a Hopeless People event is to get knowledge and to get people engaged,” Harris says. “Keeping hope alive is why we’re here. It is our hope that this town hall turns our hope into action.”

‘What’s at stake’

It gave people like Jean Narcisse an opportunity to ask candidates where they stood.

Six candidates joined the Alphas inside the Jacksonville Public Library on Tuesday night. All of them were Black women.

Afterward, Foster, Green, Tutson and Butler took questions from potential constituents.

Amid the raindrops and thunderbolts in Downtown, Jacksonville Today asked Foster about the importance that Black women may have this election season.

“The importance of us running is we, truly, understand what’s at stake,” Foster said. “When we talk about Black women, we are always stepping up to the call of action.”

Foster mentioned the strength, resilience and backbone Black women have showcased during the third decade of the 21^st century.

“We have to have leaders who are bold and fearless. We need to have people who are fighting for their constituents, and that is a Black woman, every, single, day.”

Making a plan to vote

For Selah Bishop, Ph.D., the evening was an opportunity to not only enlighten voters, but to provide information to voters so they can then inform their spheres of influence.

Bishop has served as a poll worker in Duval County for more than a decade. In that time he has witnessed countless voters who have been unaware of new systems and processes that may have been implemented.

“That was one of the biggest things, to have someone from the Supervisor of Elections (Office) to answer those questions that voters have,” Bishop said. “If we can get voters prepared before the election starts, it will be a smoother process. … When they go to the booth, they know exactly what needs to be done, how to do it without any questions, and there won’t be a lot of frustration at the polls.”