Springfield City Councilor Zaida Govan highlights the need for change in voter turnout

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A speech from Springfield City Councilor Zaida Govan highlighted the need for change in the city’s low voter turnout rates.

Govan joined the ‘Mass Senior Action Council’ to discuss urgent civic engagement challenges within the community. According to State Voices, a database used by Pioneer Valley Project, the total number of inactive voters in Springfield as of June 6th was more than 20,000.

Number of inactive voters by ward:

• Ward 1: 5,847
• Ward 2: 5,487
• Ward 3: 5,282
• Ward 4: 3,746
• Ward 5: 34
• Ward 6: 48
• Ward 7: 35
• Ward 8: 28

In her discussion, Govan emphasized the need to dismantle the system of systemic oppression that has plagued American democracy. She believes that by encouraging younger voices to vote, real change can happen.

“Our country seems to be very broken and divided right now. So we want to figure out a way to, you know, get younger people to vote, get older people to vote. You know, are voting rights are being attacked. And when we suppress our own vote, you know, we shouldn’t be doing that because there’s enough of that being done, you know, legislatively.”

Zaida Govan, Ward 8 Springfield City Councilor

Govan is reminding residents to register to vote if they haven’t already. The primary is September 3rd, with the general election taking place on November 5th.

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