Mayor Turner announces voting initiative honoring late Congressman Mickey Leland’s legacy

HOUSTON – Lawmakers launched a new initiative Wednesday to increase voter participation in Harris County. Through a donation from Clear Channel, the campaign will include messaging such as billboards and posters across the county that promote voting.

The initiative will also highlight a memorial for the late Congressman Mickey Leland, which was recently installed in Hermann Park. Over the next four or more weeks, the campaign is expected to generate 12.7 million impressions.

Mayor Sylvester Turner described Leland, who died in a plane crash in 1989, as a global humanitarian who was a fighter for justice, cared about the poor and hungry and believed everyone should have a voice.

“Mickey (Leland) worked for change. Be part of the process and vote,” Turner said.

With less than 90 days to the November election, Turner said it is important for residents to exercise their civic duty by casting a ballot.

This year also marks the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.

“We should vote to honor that significant legislation and Congressman John Lewis,” Turner said.

Lewis, who died in mid-July after a battle with pancreatic cancer, was a Civil Rights icon and served in the United States House of Representatives for Georgia from 1987 to his death. He was the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee from 1963 to 1966 and was beaten during Bloody Sunday.

“We may feel helpless at times because we cannot control the pandemic or other issues like jobs and housing, but as proud Houstonians, we do have the power to vote,” Turner said.

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis noted that Texas has “restrive voter laws” and barriers in place that make voting harder. The county recently created an Office of Election Administration to focus on voter registration.

Turner and Ellis along with Congressman Al Green, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, NAACP Houston, and Mi Familia Vota partnered together on the initiative.

Here is the full press conference: