The Ballot or The Bullet: “Vote or Die” Is Not Just A Cool Slogan…not anymore!
When Sonya Lynaye Wilburn-Massey called 911 for help, she expected protection—not a death sentence. But in July 6, 2024, inside her own Springfield, Illinois kitchen, the 36-year-old mother of two was shot and killed by Deputy Sean Grayson, a sheriff’s deputy responding to her emergency call. She had been holding a kettle of hot water.
This wasn’t just a tragic mistake. It was the result of structural failures, poor leadership, and weak oversight—failures we, the public, can begin to fix where it counts most: the ballot box.
The Power of Local Elections in Shaping Justice
We often think of national elections as the most important, but the Sonya Massey case reveals a deeper truth: local and state elections can mean life or death.
Sonya was shot by a county-level officer. That deputy was hired by an elected official—Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell. Despite the deputy’s red flags in prior employment, Campbell brought him on the force. After the killing and mounting public outrage, Campbell announced his retirement following pressure from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who called his decision-making into question.
This outcome shows that voting for sheriffs, prosecutors, governors, and other local leaders matters immensely.
Why Sheriffs Hold Unchecked Power
Sheriffs are not appointed—they’re elected by the people. They:
- Control hiring and firing of deputies
- Set department policies and training standards
- Often resist oversight, claiming “constitutional authority”
- Operate jails and lead major criminal investigations
Yet most voters skip sheriff races on the ballot—or never hear about them at all. That silence enables unfit leadership to thrive in the shadows.
Deputies Act on Leadership Culture
Sheriff Campbell hired Deputy Grayson despite a concerning disciplinary history. According to body camera footage, Grayson escalated the situation, firing three shots after Massey had already apologized and attempted to de-escalate.
In other words, Grayson didn’t act alone. He acted under a culture set at the top. Leadership shapes behavior, and elections shape leadership.
The Media’s Role in Demanding Truth
At first, Sonya Massey’s family was misled about how she died. They were told vague stories of an intruder and a chaotic scene. It wasn’t until the body cam footage was released and the press began reporting the truth that the public saw the horror for what it was.
This is why free press and investigative journalism (broken as they are now) are crucial in holding law enforcement accountable. And it’s why we must support journalism that uplifts marginalized voices, especially in local communities where scrutiny is often weak.
What We Must No Longer Tolerate
We must stop tolerating:
- Poorly vetted law enforcement hires
- Sheriffs who operate without oversight
- Voter apathy in local elections
- Lack of transparency in use-of-force cases
Instead, we must demand:
- Independent investigations into police shootings
- Reform-minded candidates for sheriff, district attorney, and judge
- Community control of public safety policies
- Widespread voter education about down-ballot races
Your Vote, Your Power
Sonya Massey should be alive today. Her story is not just tragic—it’s a warning. Every local election offers a chance to choose accountability, justice, and real safety. Voting is more than civic duty—it’s an act of defense against abuse of power.
Change starts locally. Change starts with your vote. And it is change that must happen now, as voting is a life or death matter. Indeed it is The Ballot or The Bullet. “Vote or Die” is not just a cool slogan anymore!
