GAINESVILLE—More than 20 people, including leaders in the African-American and Latino communities, gathered in a conference room at the Newtown Florist Club in Gainesville to discuss opposition to the city's at-large voting system.
Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director for the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO), was among the group that formed the "Black-Brown Alliance," a connection of the African-American and Latino communities, united against the system.
"There's groundswell building against at-large voting. It is a discriminatory process that needs to be eliminated, and we are making sure that the broader community is getting educated on this issue," said Gonzalez.
In an at-large voting system, members of the governing body are elected by voters across the entire region, instead of having specific geographic areas to serve. Members of the minority community contest that this dilutes their voting power, and often discourages potential voters from going to the polls.
"At-large voting reminds me of South African apartheid," said Rose Johnson, Executive Director of the Newtown Florist Club.
"It reminds me what it feels like to have freedom locked down in chains."
Rickey Holland, Director of Voter Engagement for the Newtown Florist Club, said he served as a city councilman in Calhoun Falls, South Carolina, a city that also dealt with an at-large voting system.
"We came to realize that at-large (voting) didn't work. Once attorneys got involved, they realized how much it would cost in litigation, so they changed it," said Holland.
Arturo Corso, who ran for office in Gainesville a decade ago, said the main issue is educating constituents on the issue.
"The setup right now is like letting people from Texas vote for our elected officials," said Corso.
He added that officials should also realize when it's time to step aside.
"Our city council...they don't get paid. It's a thankless job. But it's a thankless job that nobody should keep for 46 years," said Corso, likely referring to Gainesville City Councilman Bob Hamrick, who has served on the council since 1969 and announced his run for re-election back in April.
The "Black-Brown Alliance" plans to speak at the July 7 city council meeting at the Public Safety Complex on Queen City Parkway at 5:30 in opposition to the voting system.
A similar event happened on May 5. Mayor Danny Dunagan said at that meeting: "I assure you this council does not discriminate."
Johnson, however, said the system does.
"Unless at-large voting changes, it just doesn't appear (a minority candidate) can run and win," said Johnson.
Holland said the answer might be simple.
"We've got the educate people on the difference between at-large and single-member voting districts," said Holland.
