Atlanta-based voting rights advocate Loretta Green says voting is sacred to her. The now 89-year-old voted for the first time at the age of 25 and can still remember the layered barriers and voting discrimination that African Americans faced when trying to exercise their constitutional right to vote.
The Air Force veteran, who served in the Korean War, was exempt from paying poll taxes before the 24th Amendment abolished it and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed discriminatory voting practices.
About four or five years ago, Green found her poll tax exemption certificate and has since used it to educate others about the importance of voting and the history of voting rights in the United States.
On Monday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Green reflected on what it was like to vote during the 1960s. She also talked about the importance of educating young people about their right to vote and explained why she feels it’s important to respect others no matter the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.
It’s a critical election year, and Georgia is at the center of it. Stay in the know with WABE’s 2024 Georgia Elections page, where you can find WABE’s latest election news and podcast episodes, important dates, voting locations, candidate info, results and more.
