As any of his L.A.-based riders would know, Dewitt Brown, who always has a huge smile on his face, has an amazing story to tell. When the 89-year-old isn’t spending time with his family, he’s writing/recording radio commercials or driving with Lyft. “I like to drive. And I like to talk!” 

Come election season, Dewitt dedicates his spare time to encouraging people to get out and vote. As an African American born in 1935, he was not only denied access to the polls until he was 30, but he also saw the Civil Rights Movement up close. “I've seen so much, and I’ve been denied so much. Now, I’m going to exercise my vote as long as I live.” 

This election season, Dewitt shares his story — and why he believes wholeheartedly that voting isn’t just a gift, it’s an obligation.

I was 30 years old before I could vote. You weren’t allowed. That was it. They turned you around. It bothered me that I wasn’t able to vote. It bothered me a long time. 

I was born in Mississippi in 1935. Didn’t have a telephone, in-house plumbing, toilet. I witnessed some stuff that was very frightening, and I wrote about it in a memoir, Escaping the Dogs of Mississippi. I was 19 when I went into the Air Force. I had never been that close with other ethnicities and races, and that taught me how to be tolerant. From training, I went to Montgomery, Alabama. I was there when Rosa Parks did her thing. It was revolutionary. After my service ended in 1957, I came to Los Angeles because my teenage sweetheart was here. I’ve been here ever since — we had two lovely girls and three grands. 

My first time voting was in 1968. It was somewhat frightening. I didn’t know what to expect. But I had seen the Civil Rights Movement. I had seen so many young men and women of both races die for the right to vote. And I said, I’ve got to vote. I have no choice. People have to realize the price that was paid for them to vote. 

I volunteered in my church a few Sundays ago. I said, “All of you that don’t have a ride to get to register, call me. I’m in the transportation business!”

When I drive the locals, I ask ’em, “Have you registered to vote?” Some have, some haven’t. So I say, “Man, it’s very important. Whatever happens in November, it’s going to affect all of us. So why not vote?” If you don’t participate in the process, you don’t have a reason to sit back and complain.

Voting is a gift. Voting gives you a voice. At the same time, you are obligated. I vote every year, whether I’m in Chicago or wherever. It doesn't matter. I mail my ballot. I encourage all of my friends to go vote because a lot of them say, “My vote doesn't count.” Oh yes, it does. If voting is not that important, why do they try so hard to keep us from doing so? Every vote counts. One vote can change a whole society. One vote. 

And look, if you don’t have a ride, I’ll pick you up and take you to the polls.