‘Souls to the Polls’ energizes Orange County District 5 churches

Orange County Supervisor of Elections Glen Gilzean literally praying for people to get out and vote

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County Supervisor of Elections Glen Gilzean spent part of his Father’s Day visiting churches in District 5.

“The Bible also says in James 2:17 that faith without work is dead, so I am here to tell you to put forth the work to see your prayers come to fruition,” Gilzean said.

That was one of the verses he referred to in the office’s first ever “Souls to the Polls” event. It’s designed to educate and inform voters, especially African Americans, about the process and importance of voting.

“As we know there’s a lot of changes in state law, and this is an opportunity to get that information out,” Gilzean told News 6.

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Voters are casting their ballots in the final day of early voting ahead of Tuesday’s election to fill the District 5 commissioner seat on the Orlando City Council. Suspended commissioner Regina Hill was removed by Gov. Ron Desantis while she faces seven felony counts for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from an elderly woman. Voters will now have to decide on Shan Rose or Travaris McCurdy.

Of the four churches Gilzean visited in District 5, one of them was Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. Their pastor, Rollie Murray, welcomed the outreach.

“People died so that we may have the right to vote and we are not going to allow our people to sit idly by and not exercise their right to vote,” Murray said.

[RELATED: Orange County Elections Supervisor Glen Gilzean not running for reelection]

Gilzean also presented grants to the churches.

“The faith-based grant outreach program is allowing them to educate voters, not on just this District 5 election, but the upcoming election,” he said.


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