"I try hard to convince them it's important - but there's a history of discomfort with minorities voting in some parts of this country, so most especially the older people have to get accustomed to it"

In this quote, Eddie Bernice Johnson is expressing her aggravation with attempting to convince others of the importance of ballot, particularly for minorities. She acknowledges that there is a long-standing concern of pain with minorities voting in particular areas of the country. This discomfort is likely rooted in systemic racism and discrimination that has actually historically prevented minorities from exercising their right to vote. Johnson recognizes that this issue is particularly common amongst older individuals who might have grown up in a time when minority voting was actively reduced. She emphasizes the requirement for these people to become more accepting and accustomed to the concept of minority voting in order to create a more inclusive and fair democracy.