Vote — ‘your life depends on it.’ A panel discussion hosted by The Charlotte Observer.
.png "The Charlotte Observer is teaming up with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library to present a panel discussion with voting advocates from Democracy North Carolina and Common Cause NC.")
In advance of Election Day on Nov. 7, the Charlotte Observer is partnering with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library to host a voter engagement panel, Thursday, Sept. 28. The event takes place at the Allegra Westbrooks Regional Branch beginning at 6 p.m.
The panel features activists working in Mecklenburg County who provide education about democracy, the importance of voter participation, voter rights and why it matters. Bringing these critical conversations are Kamaria Lawrence from Democracy North Carolina and Rotrina Campbell from Common Cause NC.
Lawrence, who says people should “vote like your life depends on it,” is Democracy North Carolina’s regional managing organizer for the Western Piedmont region. With degrees from University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Clark Atlanta University, Lawrence’s career has centered on electoral politics and she has organized campaigns in the Carolinas and Alabama.
Campbell is the redistricting organizing manager for Common Cause NC. A Johnson C. Smith University alumna, in the past seven years she has worked as a project manager and organizer, and has focused her career on causes and campaigns rooted in communities of color.
Voter turnout is a perennial issue, and during this month’s Charlotte primary it was particularly low. Less than 5% of registered Democrats and unaffiliated voters — or around 23,000 people — cast ballots, according to a Charlotte Observer analysis. The Republican party did not have a primary.
Concerns over changing laws governing voting are high and for many underrepresented groups, this creates frustration and alienation toward voting in general, Democracy North Carolina advocates say.
November elections feature several contested local races in Charlotte. They include at-large school board and City Council seats as well as City Council seats for districts 3 and 6. Charlotte’s mayoral race and a referendum to decide on a $2.5 billion school bond are also on the ballot.
Voter advocates also stress that it’s important to participate in all elections to have a say on issues and that all eligible voters should be ready and know why that matters.
The panel will focus on:
- Who is on the ballot
- The new voter I.D. requirement and what are acceptable forms of I.D.
- Information about the Board of Elections
- Using ballot boxes
- Redistricting and how that affects communities
- Questions from attendees
- Discussion about voting and democracy.
This event is in-person and will also feature voter registration opportunities. Early voting for the Nov. 7 general election begins Oct. 19.
Want to go?
What: Vote - Your life depends on it: A panel discussion hosted by the Charlotte Observer.
Where: Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Rd.
When: Thursday, Sept. 28, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
RSVP: Eventbrite link here
This story was originally published September 15, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
