Medgar Evers gave his life to give blacks the right to vote. On the night of June 12, 1963, the NAACP field secretary was shot in the back in front of his home.

During the Freedom Summer of 1964, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner were tortured and killed by Klansmen for attempting to register blacks to vote in Mississippi.

Herbert Lee, a Mississippi farmer and member of the NAACP, was shot and killed in 1961 for trying to vote.

A few months ago, I asked a young black man if he was going to vote, and he replied, “What for?”

He’s not alone. Many young people and adults, not just blacks, are apathetic when it comes to voting. Many are unaware of the sacrifices made for them to be able to go into a voting booth.

But in the upcoming election, we all have a chance to make history. Actually, we’re making history now. Never before have we had a black, a woman and a senior citizen — all political minorities — running for the highest office.

That’s one of the reasons why the NAACP is forming voter registration teams all across the country. They’re asking local chapters to set up voter registration booths at local churches, fairs, college campuses and other places to help get out the vote.

Representatives from the St. Joseph, Missouri Western State University and Kansas City chapters of the NAACP met last week to discuss strategies and seek volunteers to help with voter registration.

Ramadhan Washington, who was at the meeting, said it was a positive step that all local NAACP factions were working together on this issue. He said it’s a chance to make history.

“There is a momentum going on right now so we might as well get involved, be a part of it,” Mr. Washington said.

Really, there is more interest in this year’s election than there has been for some time. Despite the lingering apathy, it seems more people are attuned to this election than they were eight years ago.

Maybe part of that apathy might come from a lack of knowledge. Many people, notably ex-cons, believe they forever lost the right to vote. Not true.

According to information from the Secretary of State’s Web site, the only qualifications to be a voter in Missouri is you must be: a U.S. citizen, a resident of the state of Missouri and 18 years old.

Only persons who are imprisoned or who are on probation or parole after a felony conviction cannot vote.

But convicted felons, upon completion of their sentencing and probation or parole requirements are eligible.

However, those individuals who have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor election offense aren’t allowed to vote.

Charles Triplett, local NAACP member, is dead serious about getting people out to vote. At the NAACP meeting he handed out several pieces of information on its importance.

One handout had a quote on it from Marian Wright Edelman, president and founder of the Children’s Defense Fund.

“People who do not vote have no line of credit with people who are elected and thus pose no threat to those who act against our interests.”

Mr. Triplett is trying to get community volunteers who will run voter registration booths at churches, stores and this year’s Juneteenth Festival. If you’d like to help out, give him a call at 671-9044.

Alonzo Weston can be reached at alonzow@npgco.com.