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Democrats
prepare voters
for Election Day ?
BY TEVIN ST1NSON
THE CHRONICLE
With more than half the year behind us,
and the general election only three months
away, the Forsyth County Democratic
Party (FCDP) took to the streets last week
to make sure
citizens are
registered
and ready to
cast their bal
lots on
November 8.
During
the door-to-door campaign that will con
tinue throughout the month, members of
the organization walked through several
neighborhoods providing residents with
information on the upcoming election, reg
istering voters, and updating information
for those already registered.
The campaign is also a tool to inform
voters of the many changes they may
encounter when they go to their precincts
on election day. While state officials are
still awaiting a Superior Court judge to
decide on the state's new voter identifica
tion requirement, other changes in law are
already set in stone, such as the end of
straight ballot tickets.
"The goal of this campaign is to ensure
citizens have this vital piece of informa
tion," said FCDP president Eric Ellison.
In the past, voters who wanted to cast a
straight ballot ticket in favor of either party
could do so by selecting a designated box
on the ballot. That is no longer an option.
According to Ellison, a selection must be
made for each individual race in order to
count.
"With the changes in law, we must
make sure that everyone in the community
is aware so they won't be surprised on
election day," he said. "That's our main
priority."
Same-day registration and out-of
precinct voting has been the subject of
ongoing litigation as well.
Before ringing door bells and knocking
on doors last Wednesday evening, FCDP
third vice president and president of the
Forsyth County Democratic Party (FCDP) volunteer Christina Collins and
Third Vice President Isaiah Fletcher talk with a resident about the upcoming
election. The FCDP has lucked off a door-to-door campaign to inform voters of
the changes they could see when casting their ballots on Nov. 8.
Young Democrats of Forsyth County
Isaiah Fletcher said the campaign targeted
10 precincts ip the area that has had low
voter turnout during past elections.
Fletcher noted the campaign is
designed to target Democrats who are reg
istered but not active, as well as those in
the community who are unregistered.
"We are hitting houses that have people
unregistered there, and strong Democrats,"
he said. "Our main target is Democrats, but
we also know who is unregistered as well.
We have registration forms they can fill
out on the spot."
Volunteer Christina Collins said she
believes that the door-to-door campaign
will make a difference in an election that
has been unpredictable so far.
"I think providing residents with this
information will have a huge impact," she
said. "A lot of voters are unable to get out
of their homes and don't know about all
these changes, so by going door-to-door
we are providing them with that informa
tion."
The FCDP is currently looking for vol
unteers to help with their door-to-door
campaign. For more information or to vol
unteer, visit the headquarters located at
1128 Burke St. The office hours are
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 10 a.m.
until 2 p.m.
1
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