NAACP urging voter sign-ups

Don't be surprised if someone tosses you a football this summer that doubles as a voting message: "The ball is in your hands. Vote."

The message is one that Jeanetta Williams, president of the Salt Lake Branch NAACP, is hoping will reach every eligible voter in the Salt Lake Valley this year.

Williams said Thursday that she's teaming up with NAACP youth, college Units and "Rock the Vote" to register as many potential voters as possible and encourage them to cast a ballot this November. Williams said a survey by the national NAACP shows Utah's black voter turnout is relatively low.

"Some people just feel that their vote doesn't count," Williams said. "We're here to let them know their vote does count. . . . I've seen elections won by one vote."

Williams said the drive is targeted at potential voters of all races, especially those who haven't voted in the past.

"We're nonpartisan," she said. "All ethnicities can become members."

In addition to registering voters, Williams said the NAACP will also focus on educating them about key political issues, such as: education, economic development, minimum wage, hate crimes legislation and racial profiling.