NCVoter's blog

Rumor control. The NY Times yesterday ran a thinly researched article on voter purges in several states including North Carolina, "States' Actions to Block Voters Appear Illegal" (10/08/08) . It uses lots of vague talk like "seems," "appears," or "may have . . .," without much elaboration or direct reporting. The NY Times reporter did not cite comments from any North Carolina election officials or any local advocacy groups. The fact is, we're ok in North Carolina, there are no purges going on. Read more:

The NY Times reporter even seems to clear North Carolina in his response to my email asking what was going on. Read it here:

From: Ian Urbina

Fact: Wearing political t-shirts, hats etc. to the polls is not against NC law. Just in case the political gear/voting rumor isn't stamped out all the way:

Emails are spreading rumors - warning voters that wearing political gear, hats, t-shirts, buttons etc - that feature a political candidate to the polling places is against the law.

None of those rumors are true, at least not for North Carolina. But please don't take my word for it. If you wear your Obama t-shirt, McCain t-shirt, Bob Barr t-shirt, or Cynthia McKinnie t-shirt, will you get turned away from the polls? To clear matters up, I emailed Don Wright, the General Counsel for the North Carolina State Board of Elections today. He replied in a matter of minutes and explained:

If you were one of the Granville County voters who had trouble voting in the May Primary because of registration issues - please read.

Regarding the Blue NC Post

"The fix is in already!!"
by Jim Sheaves on Tue, 05/06/2008

I was just contacted by a good friend in Granville County about what is turning into, at best a problem, but most likely IMO, a concerted effort...

What happened? Registered voters went to the polls in Granville County and their names were NOT in the poll books.

Fads trump election transparency.(electronic voting?). Since North Carolina passed its paper ballot law, its been harder to mess up the vote. So here comes Instant Runoff Voting, which is hardly transparent. NC tested IRV in 2007, and found a "creative" 100 plus steps method to count IRV on touchscreens.This may get a test again in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Why bother working for verified voting when it gets undone so easily?

The mad rush to experiment with Instant runoff voting in North Carolina has created some very bad news for the supporters of NC's paper ballot law.

Anything goes in North Carolina, or Welcome back Diebold and gang.

Thursday the House Election Law Committee passed the bill SB 1263 which extended the IRV pilot program for 3 years. It goes to the House Judiciary I committee next Tuesday.

See NCVoter's website on HOW YOU CAN HELP . PLEASE TAKE ACTION BEFORE THIS TUESDAY JULY 8TH. SEE OUR WEBSITE ACTION ALERT, SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS.

Democracy North Carolina is interested in hearing about your reaction if you received a mailing or the illegal robo call made by "Women's Voices, Women's Vote" (WVWV). The calls often used the voice of a "Lamont Williams." If you received such a call, please report it at 1-888-OUR VOTE at Democracy For NC's Office.