KJZZ: AZ's largest Black-led voter engagement organization urges voting for Biden, Gallego

July 10, 2024

The largest Black-led voter engagement organization in the state is urging voters to rally behind President Joe Biden for reelection, and Congressman Ruben Gallego for U.S. Senate.

In addition to its endorsement for both candidates, Our Voice Our Vote announced the launch of a campaign that includes a six-figure digital ad deal and extensive canvassing.

“The campaign will prioritize mobilizing voters in the New American Majority,” said OVOV AZ’s Executive Director Sena Mohammed, describing them as “a diverse group that includes young people, unmarried women, and people of color.”

Burnout and broken trust are valid, said Mohammed, but can’t overshadow the upcoming election’s importance.

“In a state where our presidential election was decided by under 11,000 voters and key races like Attorney General were decided by under 300 voters,” she said, “the Black community and the entire New American Majority hold immense electoral power.”

The group’s endorsements, she added, “are not handed out” and were “carefully considered” given recent events like the recent presidential debate.

“We’re endorsing Joe Biden and Ruben Gallego because they stand with us on issues that matter to our communities,” Mohammed explained.

One of the campaign’s goals is to knock on 1 million doors in Arizona by November is just one of their goals.

Eighteen-year-old Isaiah Alexander is a lead canvasser.

“This is my community,” said Alexander, “and I know the work we do is going to make a difference in my life, my friend's life and my family's life.”

A recent high school graduate, Alexander said the extreme heat won’t stop him from getting out there.

“Each conversation brings the significance of work we do more and more into focus,” he said. “As a young Black and Hispanic man, I have seen and witnessed the rich culture of our people, but have also experienced the racial discrimination — and not just [in] the justice system, but among my peers within the community.”

Karen Hernández, director of electoral engagement, said knocking on doors is only part of their strategy.

“We will make at least one contact with every Black voter in the state of Arizona between now and November,” said Hernández. “Our organizing arm has already registered 8,000 voters since March.”

In addition to encouraging them to make it to the polls this November, Hernández said OVOV AZ has more planned to engage voters in the New American Majority.

“In addition to our door knocking efforts, we'll also be reaching voters in many other ways,” said Hernández, “including making a six-figure investment in a digital ad campaign to reelect President Biden and Vice President Harris.”

Hernández highlighted reproductive rights, immigration, and the economy as key concerns for the community that the ads also focus on.

“We'll also be sending out hundreds and thousands of texts and investing in direct mail,” she added.

Those issues and more will be on the ballot, said Mohammed.

“The New American Majority is our focus — young women, people of color, young people as well — because those are the folks that, right now, are the most undecided,” Mohammed said. “It’s not that we don’t want to vote. That is not the case. It’s just that we're not happy with the choices. And I think we have to reground ourselves on what we’re dealing with to be able to make that decision.”