Election 2024: Chicago Metro Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Encourages Community to Vote with Walk to the Polls

CHICAGO (WLS) — The sorority is urging community members in Chicago to vote early.

The Chicago Metropolitan Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta held two events on Saturday.

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It was a warm welcome to those who came.

“I was so happy to see so many people come out to vote,” said early voter Iain Jennings. “The excitement, the energy is here.”

Efforts to increase voter participation in the community have been undertaken by the Chicago Metropolitan Alumni Chapter (CMAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.

“We have over 1,000 chapters in the Midwest region, and today we are all coming together to vote,” said CMAC President Tasha Levy. “We do voter education. It’s all about civic engagement… across all generations.”

The initiative is part of the sorority’s annual Day of Service in the Midwest and was supported by several members of the Divine Nine, the nine historically African-American sororities and fraternities that make up the National Panhellenic Council.

“Beyond that, we’re really encouraging people to be aware of their vote and what’s at stake in terms of this election,” said Tracy Hughes Perkins of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. chapter. Tau Psi Zeta Chapter.

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Darrick Madgett, 19, voted for the first time on Saturday.

“I don’t want to talk about issues, but everyone should have a voice,” Madgett said.

While Black Greek organizations are nonpartisan, they support ongoing get-out-the-vote efforts. The South Side event was just one of two early voting events sponsored by the organization, along with one on the West Side.

Many stood in long lines to vote at the early voting site at Olive Harvey College, a community college in the far south.

“I want to make sure my vote is counted,” said early voter John Williams. “My grandparents couldn’t vote, so I want to make sure I vote and my kids and grandkids vote.”

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The presidential election between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is less than two weeks away. The First African American Sorority, AKAs, or Harris Sorority, says mobilization is key.

“We look forward to doing something not only for our wives, but for all the women in this organization and the men in D9,” said Kimberly Collier, vice president of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. chapter. Theta Omega.

Some at Saturday’s event said it was important for black people to vote.

“We are in unprecedented times right now,” said Vaughn Roland, chairman of the Omega Psi Phi Rho Mu Chapter Voter Education Committee. “You’re seeing voter suppression across the country.”

The advocacy organization National Coalition of 100 Black Women of the Chicago Metropolitan Chapter has also been conducting outreach as a unified message remains.

“110%, you have to get out and vote,” said early voter Shirrisa Phillips-Hatcher.