To encourage early voting among South Floridians, “Souls to the Polls” held a gospel concert and rally Sunday at South Dade Regional Library in Cutler Bay.
The event didn’t just happen in Miami-Dade. Faith in Florida leaders hosted the rally in Tallahassee, Belle Glade, Lauderhill and Daytona Beach. “Souls to the Polls” urged black and Latino voters to vote early.
Kevin Chambliss is the director for the Miami-Dade County NAACP branchand coordinator of Sunday’s event. He organized multiple speakers to encourage minority voters to speak up.
"This is a black church tradition, so this is important for the black community of Miami-Dade County," says Chambliss. "For them to jointly and spiritually voice whoever, whether it's Democrat or Republican, voice their opinion on who should lead them in government."
Whole Armor Ministries pastor Deborah Vaz brought her young Homestead congregants to experience what voting is about. She says spirituality plays a role in voting for her community.
"We use faith as a backdrop because you can't see a man's heart. You can only believe that he'll do what he says he's going to do," Vaz says.
Congressman Joe Garcia was among the crowd gathered outside of the library. And a representative of his opponent, CarlosCurbelo, was also at the event.
Early voting in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties ends Sunday, November 2.
