Barred from the general election, in September 1963 COFO began organizing a mock election as an educational tool to give Black people the opportunity to go through the voting process and to demonstrate to Mississippi and the federal government that Black people wanted to vote. Campaign manager Bob Moses described it as an important step to “legitimize” the Movement. The Freedom Ballot campaign began with a statewide convention in Jackson on October 6. Aaron Henry ran as candidate for governor, and Rev. Ed King agreed to run as lieutenant governor, making it the first integrated ticket in Mississippi since Reconstruction.
Pictured: A black and white photograph of a woman standing in front of a building. She is wearing a dark dress, coat, hat, and handbag. On the door behind her is a sign that reads: "Vote King + Henry, Jobs + Food." Another person stands out of frame to the right of the woman.
Credit: Ken Thompson/Global Ministries
