On Saturday, Oct. 17, hundreds of voters in five counties will participate in a rally and ride to highlight the importance of early voting, culminating in a ceremonial delivery of ballots to the county boards of elections. 

Participants will gather at the Bluffton Democrat headquarters at 216 W. Elm St., at 10 a.m. for a lineup of speakers that includes female lawyers, activists, youth and politicians. After the rally, people with absentee ballots and supporters will drive in caravans to their boards of elections and submit their ballots at the drop box. 

“Early voting is particularly important in this election to ensure decisive election results and a safe and secure election process, because the president has so far been unwilling to guarantee a peaceful transfer of power if he loses,” says organizer Jan Wiebe, of Bluffton. Both in-person and voting by mail begin Oct 6.

The event will honor the life and work of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and celebrate 100 years of women’s right to vote. 

Organizers of the event, sponsored by Allen & Hardin for Election Action & Democracy (AHEAD), want to convey their fierce opposition to Trump and his agenda. 

In 2017, millions of Americans gathered together in Washington, D.C. to resist the Trump presidency, including 106 individuals who left from Bluffton on two charter buses to participate in that event.

This event will bring many of these people back together and continue that work. The public is invited and is encouraged to decorate cars and/or dress up as Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Please wear a mask and social distance.