Typitown is a city of 4000 or more Negro citizens. They have churches, lodges, and social clubs, but the men and women were slow to take part in their local government. Most of them knew that America was the land of the free; they knew that it was known as the only place in the world where government of the people, by the people and for the people existed, because they learned that in history and had heard fourth of July orators say so, but that idea slipped their minds and voting, for the most part, was left to other citizens despite the fact that many of them were property owners, which forced them to pay the required capitation tax.
Not long ago, the newly organized Civic League in Typitown hit upon a plan to create interest in the administration of the local government, and it has increased the number of qualified Negro voters in Typitown almost forty-five per cent. Not only are the older men and women showing a remarkable interest in the new project, but also scores of young men and women have been attracted by the plan, and are manifesting more concern about civic affairs than they have ever done before.
The Typitown Civic League realized it was just human nature to like play, so they worked in a great deal of play in their new system. But first the League sponsored a drive for new members. Those new members were divided into a large club that holds four elections every year. Regular candidates for all of the available officers are named and balloted for, the successful men and women are placed on a regular printed ticket similar to the real tickets used in elections and after much mock campaigning the Big Election is staged.
By this method new members are taught the value of voting in the mock campaign, and are also taught the just how to mark a ballot properly, a task that many vetern voters find a little difficult. Every voter is watched by a "coach" stationed at the polls and his errors, if any, are pointed out as soon as they are made.
Typitown once had the problem that we have now, it seems logical that we might solve ours by using the method so successfully used there.