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On Tuesday, Lowndes County residents watched as one of their own was featured on the national nightly news.

Voting advocate, Perman Hardy, is the subject of an ABC News Live Prime story which aired Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. CST on ABC News Live Prime. The piece featuring Hardy’s work to bridge the distance between rural voters and the poll appeared on YouTube, every streaming app, and the ABC News Live Prime abcnews.go.com/live.

According to Peter Charalambous with ABC News in New York, Hardy’s story is part of a larger focus on the work of people helping get voters to the polls in states where it is sometimes 10 or more miles away from a polling station.

“Perman is the kind of a person who we highlight in the stories, to [focus] on the fact that there are some communities where [people] have to travel 20, 30 or 40 miles to get to the polling place. There are folks who are helping neighbors and making it so that everyone who needs to vote can vote.”

Steve Osunsami, ABC News senior national correspondent, interviewed Hardy on Oct. 4 at Deep Woods by Mary Bell in Hayneville to find out why she had spent decades as a voter advocate.

“I’m just gonna be honest with you,” Hardy said. “I have devoted my whole life to bringing about change and making awareness for people. And I always believed in using my voice to do whatever I could to help other people that don’t have a voice. I believe this is where the good Lord put me to do His work.” 

Coupled with her work in helping citizens cast their vote, Hardy said her most recent efforts are centered around supporting the campaign of Carolyn Harris, a write-in candidate for the Lowndes County Commission District 2 seat.

“I gotta use my voice,” Hardy said. “People know that I’m all about bringing changes to their situation. I believe in this young candidate and I’m gonna do everything in my power to bring about awareness so people can get out and support her. 

“I feel like it’s our job as older people to support young leaders. I believe in that. I always did.” 

In addition to Tuesday’s broadcast, Hardy’s story is slated for showing on additional ABC platforms.

“The piece that we have airing is going to air on ABC News Live prime, which is our live streaming shows, on Tuesday,” Charalambous said Monday. “That’s the longest episode. Then we’re hoping to also roll it out on a few different platforms, including Good Morning America through the end of the week.”

Editor’s Note: At time of publication, future airing times were not yet available. Showtimes will be updated on our website, www.lowndessignal.com, as information becomes available.