Democrats, Republicans contest voter registration By SHERIDAN HILL Chronicle Assistant Editor What do voter registration statistics have in common with the Bible? Both can be quoted to prove any number of different points. Both Republican and Democratic leaders called the Chronicle last week to correct the story entitled: "Democratic vot ers on the decline." Democratic party chairman Gary Jackson called and wrote to say the number of Democratic voters in 1990 was really higher than reported. Republican James Knox, who says he has counted voter registration for the party since 1986, called to say there are really more Republicans than reported. Both are right* "You can read anything into these fig show," says Kathie Cooper, elections supervisor for the Forsyth County Board of Elections. She explains how people can come up with different numbers for the same year, and can use the same numbers to prove different points. New voters vs. total voters: Although both parties like ^to quote num bers of new voters, Cooper maintains the method they are using provides inaccurate numbers. Party leaders compare the num ber of registered voters from one year to the next, and claim the difference as belonging to their party, but Cooper says, "I can guarantee they're not all new. People Registered Voters wmm ..... ..HWWlOwrPv 1 'i.1 ?v $###** Mtt* 82,962 - Si^V ' 11,319 ?iHMlpMiii i960 87,271 ^38?87 8,111 V j fci =:5:??i^iwwWrW i Dam* Rap* UmML \J99W~J&i%,,? ' 35.2% 7,8% ?W9G '-87-9% ' 34.6%' 7,3% 1980 68.1% 27.5% 8,1% ,, ?fiaures from <ee?trafcm cutoff date in Octo berol each year, as reported by Fortyti ->? County Board oi Sections. move, die, and change parties. We're taking off and adding on names all the time. The only way to count new voters would be to come down here and count our daily report of who was added and subtracted, and no one has done that" Month of the year: The registration cut-off for an election is in October. - Therefore, the number of people registered in October represents the number of people actually eligible to vote that year. Decem ber numbers may be higher, but do not rep resent actual voters for that year. Election year vs. non-election year: Voter registration during an election year will be higher than in other years. Time frame: A trend can not be evi denced in a two- or three-year period. "It takes a ten year period to find a trend," savs Cooper. Slate numbers vs. local numbers: The local board of elections provides the state with an estimate of voter registration because the state compiles its report before the local office can get a complete count. State reports often have higher numbers, but local reports are the most accurate measure of voter registration. Board of Elections vs. Census: The census shows the number of "potential" voters: everyone over the age of 18, including the prison population, college students and military personnel (even when residents of another state), patients in mental institutions. The Board of Elections counts only registered voters. CI A A Continued from page A1 which was organized last spring, is chaired by Dan Brock, vice president of marketing services at US Air and co-chaired by Ernie Pitt, editor and publisher of The WinSion-Satem Chronicle. The Friday night reception is make contacts with the right peo ple. "We want to get a feel of what the tournament is Actually like," said Nordenholz. The tour nament reception will allow the delegates to meet the people involved in the tournament and to see what it takes to put on such an even." Invited to the reception will be CIAA-member chancel lors, CIAA representatives, and coaches. Brock said the trip will also show the CIAA that "Winston Salem is very interested in host ing the tournament for '94, '95 and '96. The (reception) will give us the opportunity to get to know people and make the necessary connections. The delegates will be able to observe and watch how the event is executed," he said. "We want to make sure we do a better job," he said. Brock said so far he expects Noftoikr^Mth^ .hosted the event from 1988-9Gf * and Richmond, this year's host, to - bid for the event again. Brock said he thinks the city has a good chance of getting the bid. "We have a large coliseum that holds more than 14,000 and an annex to handle the women^s < basketball games. And the com plex has a lot of parking, space," he said. "We also have hotels and restaurant availability. And besides that, we have a great CIAA1 team and one of the win ningest coaches, Coach 'Big House' Gaines, right here in Win ston," he said. Coach Clarence Gaines, who is currently in the CIAA Hall of Fame and the Nae Smith Hall of Fame has 822 career winning games, making him the "winningest" basketball coach in the country. "Everything about it says it ought to be held in Winston Salem," he added. The committee. Brock said, is still in the early stages of securing private and public sponsorship. Some of the money raised by sponsors, Nordenholz said will go towards scholarships for the 14 member CIAA schools, which includes Winston-Salem State University. Brock said the committee will be notified approximately three months after bid entries, in June. ONE OUT OF EVERY NINE WOMEN WILL DEVELOP BREAST CANCER IN HER LIFETIME. IT COULD BE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE. Learn the facts about a disease that touches all our lives. Call (800) 221 -2141, weekdays, 9 a.m. -5 p.m., central time zone. Y-pE National Breast Cancer Hotline TRL*5 HOME & GARDEN SHOW '92 presented by the Home Builders Association of Winston-Salem, Inc. ?- J* ?? * . J i.a licit; "? >' ?' ?" ' * "I . i?n?| ' i | ' X'-* 'M!w' Jfil Benton Convention Center Winston-Salem, North Carolina .mju February 28, 29, & March 1, 1992 iriday, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm ? Saturday, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm ? Sunday, 1:00 pm -6:00 pm Co-Sponsored by: Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Garden Club Council, - ? ? ' ~ Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County, North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Forsyth County Center, and the Winston-Salem Journal Featuring: .? New Home Products and Unique Building Designs ? Landscaping and Horticulture Techniques ? Minimum Standard Flower Show of Horticulture and Design ? Daily Seminars t Prices: $3.00 in advance $4.00 at the door children 12 and under will be admitted free with a paid adult TRIAD HOME & .. GARDEN ? SHOW '92 DISCOUNT COUPON $1.00 off Door Price For You and a Guest Present at Show Door for Discount wsc TRIAD HOME & M GARDEN SHOW '92

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