A Decade of Empowering Voters http://www.ncvotered.com Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:00:37 -0800 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:17:37 -0800 http://www.ncvotered.com/images/rss/nccve_logo_rss.jpg http://www.ncvotered.com 300 77 http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2012/1_18_12_political_games.php We need to be extra vigilant about not just what gets done, but how things get done in Raleigh. There is a right way and a wrong way to pursue political outcomes and we can no longer accept the notion that the ends justify any means necessary. Wed, 18 December 2012 10:42:11 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2012/1_3_12_political_speak.php It may not be as fun as learning French, Japanese or Spanish, but if we decipher what politicians are really saying, we won’t get lost in translation. Tue, 3 December 2012 10:32:28 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2011/12_19_11_wishlist.php With the holidays upon us, here is an open letter to St. Nick with a few wishes for 2012. Mon, 19 December 2011 19:08:11 GMT http://www.thevoterupdate.com/articles/2011/12_8_11_afford_to_be_lawmaker.php With the current "help wanted" ad we get good public servants almost by accident. Let's focus on creating a job description that is worthy of the important work we are asking our elected officials to do. Mon, 5 December 2011 17:18:02 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2011/11_21_11_teaparty_occupiers.php Everyone is concerned with the same coin, even if we see it from two different sides. Mon, 21 November 2011 22:12:43 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2011/11_1_11_local_guides.php With early voting underway for local elections across North Carolina, voters can learn about the contenders in many of this year’s contests at NCVoterGuide.org. Tue, 1 November 2011 15:18:11 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2011/10_27_11_public_financing_report.php A recent assault on North Carolina’s public financing of court elections was part of an unprecedented national attack on state courts, according to a new report by three nonpartisan legal reform groups, which praised the Tar Heel State’s system as a “national model.” Thu, 27 October 2011 10:31:12 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2011/9_29_11_raleigh_guide.php With early voting underway for Raleigh, Cary and Wake School Board elections, voters can learn about the contenders in this year’s contests at NCVoterGuide.org. Thu, 29 September 2011 12:37:56 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2011/8_24_11_atm.php In 2012, for perhaps the first time ever, North Carolina will comprehend what it feels like to be a true battleground state. Wed, 24 August 2011 14:27:55 GMT http://ncvotered.com/column/2011/8_8_11_congress_immunity.php With so many politicians coming from gerrymandered districts where the only voters who really matter are the hard-charging partisans, the incentive to move discourse to the center or to be concerned with average voters is almost completely gone. It’s no wonder so many of us disapprove of Congress. Mon, 8 August 2011 17:09:11 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2011/7_27_11_redistricting_poll.php A majority of North Carolina voters are concerned about political gerrymandering and favor giving redistricting authority to an independent body, according to a new poll commissioned by the N.C. Center for Voter Education. Wed, 27 July 2011 10:57:39 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2011/7_27_11_redistricting_poll.php Now that both political parties have proven that fair maps cannot be had so long as politicians are drawing their own lines, maybe we can finally fix this thing once and for all. Tue, 26 July 2011 15:13:42 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2011/7_12_11_true_north.php The General Assembly should be skeptical of any proposal that limits where, how and when people vote. Tue, 12 June 2011 13:11:45 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2011/6_23_11_voter_id_veto.php North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue today vetoed House Bill 351, which would have required state voters to present a government-issued photo ID when casting a ballot in person. Thu, 23 June 2011 16:58:13 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/about/news/index.php You are invited to join the N.C. Center for Voter Education for a recap of this year’s historic General Assembly session in Raleigh Wed, 22 June 2011 12:43:47 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2011/6_15_11_photo_id_response.php The following is a response to the photo ID bill by Damon Circosta, executive director of the N.C. Center for Voter Education Wed, 15 June 2011 21:27:49 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2011/5_31_11_corporate_cash.php Just because corporations are a helpful invention in our economy does not mean we should hand them the keys to our democracy. Tue, 31 May 2011 20:07:33 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2011/5_18_11_back_to_future.php Fondness for the '80s doesn't stop with fashion and film. According to a recent poll from the N.C. Center for Voter Education, North Carolina voters wouldn't mind having two prominent '80s politicians back in office as well. Mon, 18 May 2011 19:23:12 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2011/5_11_11_early_voting_statement.php On a 16-14 vote, the N.C. House Elections Committee today approved H658, which would reduce North Carolina's early voting period by one week. The following is a statement by Damon Circosta, executive director of the N.C. Center for Voter Education, in response to the proposed limitation on early voting. Mon, 2 May 2011 09:45:57 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2011/5_2_11_war_on_voting.php Given some of the recent bills proposed in the N.C. General Assembly, there seems to be a "war on voting." Mon, 11 May 2011 16:03:35 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2011/4_28_11_presidents_poll.php North Carolina voters are most likely to want former President Ronald Reagan and former Gov. Jim Hunt back in office today, according to a new poll commissioned by the nonpartisan N.C. Center for Voter Education. Thu, 28 April 2011 12:04:43 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2011/4_21_11_redistricting_poll.php North Carolinians from across the political spectrum are concerned about legislators drawing their own districts, according to a new poll commissioned by the nonpartisan N.C. Center for Voter Education. Thu, 21 April 2011 04:23:17 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2011/4_20_11_white_named_president.php Raleigh attorney Devon White has been named as the new board president of the nonpartisan N.C. Center for Voter Education. Wed, 20 April 2011 12:01:22 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2011/4_19_11_knowledge_power.php It’s good to have our politicians know things about the subjects on which they legislate. We want competence and expertise. But as citizens, we had better learn enough to keep up with them, lest they use their knowledge to pull a fast one on us. Tue, 19 April 2011 19:13:41 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2011/4_4_11_politicians_draw_maps.php Ultimately, the responsibility for redistricting should rest with an independent body, not the state legislature. The Republican leadership in the House and Senate has rightly called for such a commission in the past. Here’s hoping they are true to their word now that they hold the reins of power. Mon, 4 April 2011 17:09:37 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2011/3_22_11_shortchanging_voters.php Everyone can agree that North Carolina must take voter fraud seriously. We also must consider voter intimidation and misinformation just as seriously, no matter the form. Tue, 22 March 2011 15:21:08 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2011/3_15_11_voter_id_shortchanges.php If lawmakers are determined to make such dramatic alterations to our election system in the form of requiring a photo ID to vote, they should devote the appropriate amount of resources to ensure voters are fully informed of these serious changes. And those funds should not come at the cost of our state’s vital public financing programs, which are proven to combat the potential corruption that is of chief concern to voters. Tue, 15 March 2011 18:01:34 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2011/3_15_11_voter_id_statement.php The following statement was made by Damon Circosta, executive director of the N.C. Center for Voter Education, to the N.C. House Election Law Committee at today's public hearing. Tue, 15 March 2011 15:38:19 GMT http://ncvotered.com/column/2011/3_7_11_hollywood_democracy.php Watch almost any movie about politics and the first thing you will notice is the degree to which our popular imagination is fascinated with individual politicians. Mon, 7 March 2011 23:47:01 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2011/3_3_11_country_course.php More than six in 10 North Carolina voters say the country is on the wrong track, according to a poll exploring attitudes on money, courts and politics, commissioned by the Justice at Stake Campaign and the N.C. Center for Voter Education. Wed, 3 March 2011 11:01:23 GMT http://ncvotered.com/spectrum/ Meet this year's recipients of the Spectrum of Democracy Awards and see their contributions to North Carolina. Fri, 25 February 2011 18:21:12 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2011/2_22_11_photo_id.php In a healthy democracy, “most of us” isn’t enough. Tue, 22 February 2011 14:17:55 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2011/2_22_11_judicial_poll.php An overwhelming majority of North Carolina voters say campaign contributions to judicial candidates can influence the outcome of court cases, according to a new poll commissioned by the Justice at Stake Campaign and the N.C. Center for Voter Education. Tue, 22 February 2011 11:01:23 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2011/2_9_11_sda_recipients.php Former N.C. General Assembly staffer Bill Gilkeson, Cabarrus County 4-H agent Heather Jones, Raleigh City Councilor Bonner Gaylord and the staff at NBC-17 are among the recipients of the 2011 Spectrum of Democracy Awards, recognizing vital contributions to North Carolina’s democracy. Wed, 9 February 2011 10:51:09 GMT http://ncvotered.com/column/2011/2_7_11_combative_speech.php So what does it matter if our political language is a bit rough or our elections are equated with sports? Mon, 7 February 2011 17:34:56 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2011/1_24_11_corporate_speech.php Ensuring that business interests don’t become our only interests is not a liberal or conservative idea, but one in which we all can play a role. Mon, 24 January 2011 13:09:09 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2011/1_10_11_civil_discourse.php In the aftermath of the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, both sides of the political spectrum should rethink the tone of our nation's political debates. Mon, 10 January 2011 16:56:09 GMT http://ncvotered.com/releases/2011/1_4_11_outstanding_citizen.php The N.C. Center for Voter Education is now accepting nominations in the category of “Outstanding Citizen” for its 2011 Spectrum of Democracy Awards. Tue, 4 January 2011 17:03:19 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2010/12_15_10_perdue_redistricting.php A statement from Damon Circosta, executive director of the N.C. Center for Voter Education, in response to Gov. Perdue’s support for an independent commission. Wed, 15 December 2010 15:59:29 GMT http://ncvotered.com/column/2010/12_14_10_special_interest_fog.php As we watched the campaign season unfold last month, we could have used some help from old St. Nick. Tue, 14 December 2010 08:22:41 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2010/11_29_10_gop_pledges.php From taxes, to health care, to the environment, during this year’s campaign season the GOP made a point of highlighting what they would do differently. But the biggest fix Republicans could make next year wouldn’t be what they do, but how they do it. Mon, 29 November 2010 18:34:12 GMT http://ncvotered.com/column/2010/11_15_10_mud_free.php In contrast to the nasty court contests in other states, here in North Carolina we have been experimenting with an alternative that has removed much of the negative advertising, bitter tone and increasingly partisan warfare that plague those judicial elections. Mon, 15 November 2010 23:11:03 GMT http://ncvotered.com/column/2010/11_4_10_silly_season.php Pundits often call the week before an election silly season. On those final days before ballots are cast rumors run rampant, unsubstantiated charges fly and tawdry TV ads flood the airwaves. Thu, 4 November 2010 18:03:12 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2010/10_27_10_voice.php Presented by Kids Voting North Carolina and the N.C. Center for Voter Education, the “Voice Your Choice” contest features student-produced videos urging all North Carolina voters to cast a ballot, regardless of party affiliation. Wed, 27 October 2010 05:11:01 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2010/10_19_10_donaldson.php Retirement Living TV (RLTV) is partnering with Time Warner Cable, AARP N.C. and the N.C. Center for Voter Education to sponsor an election forum designed to educate and empower senior voters about the upcoming mid-term elections. The North Carolina Election Forum will be held on Monday, October 25th at 7 p.m. at Peace College Auditorium in Raleigh. The forum is free and open to the public. Moderated by RLTV’s Sam Donaldson, the forum will feature a panel of leading opinion-makers, political insiders and members of the North Carolina press on issues most relevant to area voters. Tue, 19 October 2010 17:48:33 GMT http://ncvotered.com/column/2010/10_18_10_homework.php There are resources available to voters who want to know more about the candidates than what can be found in a shallow ad. Mon, 18 October 2010 17:03:58 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2010/10_14_10_voter_guide.php Available at NCVoterGuide.org, the 2010 N.C. Voter Guide from the Center and UNC-TV provides information on voting along with candidate profiles -- straight from the candidates themselves. Thu, 14 October 2010 15:11:12 GMT http://ncvotered.com/column/2010/10_4_10_backup_plan.php This fall North Carolina is experimenting with a backup plan called “instant runoff voting.” Mon, 4 October 2010 15:37:12 GMT http://ncvotered.com/column/2010/9_20_10_messenger_behind_messenger.php If the groups begind political ads aren't willing to tell us who they are, why should we listen to them? Mon, 20 September 2010 21:01:57 GMT http://ncvotered.com/column/2010/9_6_10_reality_of_voting.php While it is exciting to see reality television’s version of democracy played out for our entertainment, our real democracy may be suffering because of it. Mon, 6 September 2010 22:01:57 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2010/8_23_10_judicial_changes.php A new report from several national organizations says that the times are changing when it comes to judicial elections. Mon, 23 August 2010 21:55:03 GMT http://ncvotered.com/column/2010/8_9_10_washington_wait.php Being a state official is hard enough on its own, but it is even harder when the federal government doesn’t pull its weight. So it was refreshing last week when our state moved forward on at least one of the items Washington, D.C., can’t seem to check off its to-do list. Mon, 9 August 2010 18:12:22 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2010/8_2_10_perdue_citizens_united.php Gov. Perdue Signs N.C. Response to Citizens United Decision Mon, 2 August 2010 21:16:31 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2010/7_26_10_get_what_pay_for.php The result of the campaign money chase is that government -- which should be of, by and for the people -- falls prey to the golden rule: “He who has the gold makes the rules.” Mon, 26 July 2010 17:03:47 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2010/7_14_10_rush_to_adjourn.php A few ways to make the close of the N.C. legislative session more transparent -- and sane. Wed, 14 July 2010 16:39:28 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2010/6_28_10_cooler_heads.php The trouble is that once upon a time there was a season for campaigns followed by a season for governing. Now, with a 24-hour news cycle and the perpetual need for fund raising, it’s a permanent campaign. Mon, 28 June 2010 14:11:17 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2010/6_14_10_runoff.php The fraction of registered voters who will carve out some time on June 22 to vote, or who cast a ballot using the early voting system, hold a considerable amount of sway in this election. It’s time to consider ways of changing the election process so more of us will get involved. Mon, 14 June 2010 13:39:21 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/about/news/2010/6_9_10_laurenz.php The N.C. Center for Voter Education has hired Brent Laurenz as its new director of outreach. Wed, 9 June 2010 11:37:01 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2010/5_31_10_short_session.php A legislature that essentially meets every other year may have been fitting when commerce moved at the speed of a mule. But in today’s world there is too much happening, too many challenges to face, for our representatives to convene only every now and again. Mon, 31 May 2010 19:22:57 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2010/5_19_10_leg_audio.php With the N.C. Legislature back in session to tackle the state’s budget along with other keys issues, VoterRadio.com once again is providing live, gavel-to-gavel coverage of legislative sessions along with making archives of those sessions available for on-demand listening. Wed, 19 May 2010 16:11:41 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2010/5_17_10_inner_beauty.php It matters little if we have the loveliest legislative building in the nation -- so long as the work that goes on inside is a testament to the art of democracy. Mon, 17 May 2010 22:11:41 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2010/5_3_10_primary_concerns.php This is primary election week in North Carolina, although it’s possible you may not have noticed. Mon, 3 May 2010 14:33:12 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2010/4_26_10_voter_guide.php Voters across North Carolina can get facts on this year’s primary election candidates with an online voter guide available at www.NCVoterGuide.org. Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:12:37 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2010/4_19_10_matchmaking.php With election season in full swing, candidates seeking a relationship of a different order could learn much from the world of 21st-century romance. Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:45:02 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2010/4_7_10_reform_poll.php An overwhelming majority of North Carolina voters are concerned by the role of special interest money in state politics and support bold reforms to the campaign finance system, according to a new poll from the nonpartisan N.C. Center for Voter Education. Mon, 7 Apr 2010 17:02:07 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2010/4_5_10_signs.php Spring is in full swing in North Carolina. Along with the blossoming flowers and newly sprouted leaves comes another ubiquitous seasonal presence: the political yard sign. Mon, 5 Apr 2010 20:31:17 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2010/4_5_10_perdue_reforms.php In response to the ethics reforms proposed by Gov. Bev Perdue today, the N.C. Center for Voter Education offers the following statement from its executive director, Damon Circosta. Mon, 5 Apr 2010 18:32:32 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/jobs/index.php The director of outreach for the N.C. Center for Voter Education will be charged with a broad range of duties relating to the programs, fund raising and administration of the organization. Projects will include community and policy outreach, events management, coordination of special projects, directing an internship program and such other tasks as the executive director may assign at his discretion. Mon, 22 Mar 2010 23:21:17 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2010/3_22_10_granny_d.php Doris Haddock, who went by the name Granny D, set out from Los Angeles in 1999 and walked 10-20 miles a day -- for more than a year. Along the way she gathered support for campaign finance reform. Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:57:32 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2010/3_8_10_march_madness.php Watching ESPN or CNN you will notice that both the political pundits and basketball gurus make their pronouncements with a striking degree of certainty. Sun, 7 Mar 2010 23:46:54 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/spectrum/index.php A longtime teacher making a difference in the lives of his students, North Carolina's statewide public television network and an educator-turned-legislator were honored at the 2010 Spectrum of Democracy Awards dinner event, presented by the N.C. Center for Voter Education. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:17:10 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2010/2_22_10_democracy_diet.php Like the diet of just one food, government reform won’t work if we do just one thing. Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:23:22 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2010/2_8_10_campaigns_begin.php Candidate filing period is underway across North Carolina, but will some races be decided before a single ballot is cast? Mon, 8 Feb 2010 23:46:01 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2010/1_25_10_corporations_people.php How a Supreme Court ruling could open the floodgates to corporate cash in elections Mon, 25 Jan 2010 23:12:18 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2010/1_21_10_citizens_united.php Today the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion in Citizens United v. FEC that could result in a seismic shift in how campaigns are financed. Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:37:21 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/about/news/2010/1_20_10_sda_recipients.php The N.C. Center for Voter Education is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2010 Spectrum of Democracy Awards, who will be honored at a dinner event on Feb. 25 in downtown Raleigh. Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:31:12 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/releases/2010/1_19_10_raleigh_public_financing.php The N.C. Center for Voter Education applauds the Raleigh City Council for approving a resolution today in support of public campaign financing for municipal elections. Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:28:47 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2010/1_11_10_brains_at_ballotbox.php How our 'reflexive brains' decide elections. Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:38:51 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/about/news/2010/1_4_10_sda_tickets.php Tickets are now on sale for the Spectrum of Democracy Awards, presented by the N.C. Center for Voter Education. Mon, 4 Jan 2010 21:51:37 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2009/12_28_09_new_years.php While most resolutions have to do with eating better or exercising more, it’s not just our physical bodies that need improvement. Our body politic could also resolve to do better. Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:52:12 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2009/12_14_09_keep_gov_honest.php While the honest-services statute might need some fine-tuning, it has been instrumental in putting away some bad apples that are spoiling the reputation of the rest of our public servants. Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:35:32 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2009/11_30_09_thanks.php Despite several high-profile political scandals and the increasingly divisive and sometimes cruel tone in our civic life, there is much to be grateful for in Tar Heel politics. Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:19:47 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2009/11_16_09_money_talks.php Money talks and raising money early says that you are a contender. But instead of focusing so heavily on what the total amount raised says about a campaign, what else could money say if we were willing to listen? Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:07:22 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/about/news/2009/11_4_09_retrospective.php A new video recalls a decade of service and looks to a future of informing and engaging citizens by the N.C. Center for Voter Education. Wed, 4 Nov 2009 17:15:02 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/about/news/2009/11_4_09_anniversary.php The N.C. Center for Voter Education celebrated its 10th anniversary at a Nov. 3 event in Raleigh, looking back at a decade of service to the people of North Carolina while looking to a future of informing and engaging voters in their democracy. Wed, 4 Nov 2009 15:19:12 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2009/11_2_09_catch_doing_right.php Right now, it’s easy to catch our elected officials doing something wrong. Let’s make it just as easy to catch them doing something right. Mon, 2 Nov 2009 18:17:27 GMT http://ncvotered.com/column/2009/10_19_09_gift_ban.php How a new ban on gifts to executive-branch employees can protect public trust in state government Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:05:17 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/index.php While our Legislative Building and governor’s mansion welcome visitors, our courtrooms are rarely seen by anyone other than the lawyers, clerks and judges who work there Mon, 5 Oct 2009 16:17:22 GMT http://voterradio.com/charlotte/ From Kids Voting Mecklenburg, watch exclusive video of the in-depth debate between 2009 Charlotte mayoral candidates Anthony Foxx and John Lassiter. Sat, 3 Oct 2009 20:07:05 GMT http://www.ncvotered.com/column/2009/9_21_09_democracy_not_glamorous.php Local elections might not make the cable news or garner the same sort of attention that we see in Washington, but they often have much more at stake for our personal lives than anything going on in D.C. Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:07:05 GMT http://www.ncvoterguide.org The N.C. Center for Voter Education and UNC-TV have launched the 2009 N.C. Voter Guide with facts on candidates and voting in 11 municipalities throughout North Carolina. Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:07:05 GMT