Freedom Vote facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Freedom Vote
Part of the Civil Rights Movement
Freedom Vote broadside
Date	1963
Location	Mississippi
Caused by	Disenfranchisement of African-Americans in Mississippi
Resulted in	Submission of 78,869 ballots Creation of Freedom Summer Establishment of Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party

The Freedom Vote was a special "mock election" held in 1963 in Mississippi, USA. It was created to fight against a big problem: many African Americans were not allowed to vote. This unfair practice is called disenfranchisement.

The election was organized by a group called the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO). This group brought together four important civil rights organizations in Mississippi. The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) played a very important part. By the end of the campaign, more than 78,000 people in Mississippi had voted in the Freedom Vote. This important event later helped create the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP).

Why the Freedom Vote Happened

In 1963, voting in Mississippi was very hard for African Americans. One reason was a "poll tax," which meant people had to pay money to vote. Also, to register, people had to fill out a long 21-question form.

They also had to answer a question about the state's constitution. White officials decided if their answer was good enough. Because of these rules, very few African Americans could register to vote.

For example, in one area, African Americans were more than half the adult population. But less than 3% of them were registered to vote. Across the whole state, only about 5% or 6% of eligible Black people were registered.

The Freedom Vote Campaign

On October 6, 1963, a meeting was held in Jackson, Mississippi. At this meeting, two leaders were chosen to run for governor and lieutenant governor. Aaron Henry, a pharmacist and NAACP leader, ran for governor. Activist Edwin King ran for lieutenant governor.

This was a very special moment. It was the first time since the Reconstruction era that a Black and a white person ran together for state leadership in Mississippi. From October 14 to November 4, volunteers worked hard. They spread information about the Freedom Vote to as many people as possible.

Starting on November 2, special polling places were set up. These were in places like barber shops, churches, and drug stores in Black neighborhoods. People could come and cast their ballots. When the voting ended on November 4, an amazing 78,869 ballots had been submitted. This was four times more than the number of Black people officially registered to vote in Mississippi.

What the Freedom Vote Achieved

The Freedom Vote helped achieve four important things. First, it showed that Black people were being unfairly kept out of the Mississippi Democratic Party. Second, it taught Black Mississippians how to register and vote.

Third, it proved that Black people in Mississippi truly wanted to vote and wanted change. Finally, it helped get the attention of the U.S. government. It made them see that voting rights were being violated in Mississippi.