"We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams."

Municipal Early Voting Up 50 Percent

Now that One-Stop Voting for the 2019 Municipal Elections is complete we took a look to see what we can learn from the preliminary results.

The big story is that there were approximately 50% more voters at the end of One-stop this year than there were in 2017. If this increase persists, it may signal that people are more aware of the value of their vote and more are turning out. We are encouraged by the increased participation and look forward to learning who turned out this year and who they voted for.

Another story is that almost 50% of the One-Stop voters this year are registered as Democrats. We hope that this is a good sign for Democratic City Council candidates but the final tale will be told when we get the election results Tuesday. Please do what you can to encourage people to vote tomorrow. Voting on Election Day will occur at your local precinct voting location rather than Government Center.

Also, please note that Democrats are gathering to watch returns upstairs at Johnny Lukes on Election Day starting at 6 pm. See details below.

Former Senator Kay Hagan Fondly Remembered

North Carolina Democrats mourned with the country this week following the passing of Senator Kay Hagan. Sen. Hagan was a tireless champion for North Carolina -- and the outpouring of love and support showed how much of an impact she had on our state.

The Rhino Times of Guilford County said: "Hagan, an attorney, banking executive and 10-year state senator born in Shelby, North Carolina, served for one term as a US senator beginning in 2009. Hagan died on Monday, Oct. 28 at the age of 66, three years after she contracted encephalitis and was diagnosed with the tick-borne Powassan virus, a medical condition that led to her untimely death.

On the news of her passing Monday, Oct. 28, NC Gov. Roy Cooper ordered that US and North Carolina flags be lowered to half-staff through Tuesday evening in honor of the former senator who was beloved by so many constituents, family members and fellow elected leaders .

The Fight for Fair Districts

(From Common Cause) Common Cause of North Carolina won a historic case this year overturning Republican gerrymandered voting districts, but the organization said some newly proposed districts still give unfair advantage to Republicans. Plaintiffs in Common Cause v. Lewis on Friday filed a petition with the NC Supreme Court asking the justices to immediately review the lower court's approval of House Districts in two county groupings: Columbus-Pender-Robeson and Forsyth-Yadkin. NC House and Senate maps drawn by the legislature for New Hanover and Brunswick county will not be affected by the appeal and are likely settled for the 2020 election, contrary to comments Richard Poole made at the One Year Out event on Saturday. Sorry.

On Sept. 3, a panel of three judges in the Wake County Superior Court ruled unanimously in favor of plaintiffs in the case of Common Cause v. Lewis, finding that the Republican-controlled NC General Assembly violated the North Carolina Constitution when it gerrymandered the state’s legislative districts for partisan gain. The court ordered the legislature to redraw 56 NC House districts and 21 NC Senate districts following strict nonpartisan criteria and in full public view. For the full story on the new court action, click here.

In related news, on September 27th, 14 voters filed Harper v. Lewis, challenging the constitutionality of North Carolina's congressional districts. On October 14th defendants filed to remove the case to Federal court. The case was sent back to state court 8 days later, with an indication that the court may sanction the defendants for acting in bad faith. The Court subsequently entered a preliminary injunction indicating that plaintiffs were likely to prevail and urging the legislature to proceed with congressional redistricting. Deb Butler reports that the General Assembly is planning to meet in mid-November, and is likely to produce new maps before Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, another set of litigants has filed in Federal court seeking to prevent congressional redistricting. According to Courts & the Law, plaintiffs in the new federal suit say, "using a different map this close to filing for the 2020 primaries violates their right to vote and participate in an electoral structure to protect the integrity of the election process." It seems likely that the Federal court will reject this suit as the Federal court did in Harper v. Lewis and may also question the good faith of the plaintiffs, given the steady stream of Federal court decisions rejecting involvement in partisan gerrymandering claims.

Help Our Candidates Collect Signs Next Weekend

Please help our hard working candidates next weekend by picking up signs for Wilmington Democratic candidates next Saturday and Sunday, November 9 and 10. Starting with your precinct polling place, fill up your trunk (or truck!) with Democratic signs and bring them to the NHCDP Office at 5041 New Center Drive on Saturday and Sunday. We will have volunteers at the office Saturday and Sunday afternoon to show you where to stack the signs at the far end of the building. Please do not leave signs at the front door.

We plan to return signs to candidates who want them back and toss signs from candidates who don’t. This effort is for Wilmington signs only because the beach elections involve fewer signs and are farther away. Our candidates and Wilmington residents will appreciate your efforts.

If you are available to work at the NHCDP Office Saturday or Sunday afternoon organizing signs, we need a few good volunteers. Please contact Jeff Wisoff at (703) 573-1154 or at [email protected].

EVENTS

Election Day -- November 5

When: Tuesday, November 5, during normal polling hours

Where: Precinct polling locations

Elections for municipal offices will be conducted at regular polling stations. To confirm where you vote and to see a sample ballot for your precinct, visit the New Hanover County Board of Elections site here.

'Party to the Polls' Event for Devon Scott -- November 5

When: Tuesday, November 5, 4:00 p.m.

Where: Reggies 42nd Street Tavern, 1415 42nd Street, Wilmington

This party is the culmination of the Devon Scott mayoral campaign, the last push to get out the vote before election day on Tuesday November 5th.

Election Results Watch Party -- November 5

When: Tuesday, November 5, 6:00 p.m. to when final results are in

Where: Johnny Lukes Kitchen Bar, 5500 Market Street, Wilmington

Join other Democrats to watch the results come in. Johnny Lukes has a full menu, a full bar and TVs to watch election coverage.

'One Year Out' Fundraiser for Planned Parenthood -- November 7

When: Thursday, November 7, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Where: Blockade Runner Resort, 275 Waynick Blvd., Wrightsville Beach

Join Planned Parenthood VOTES! South Atlantic and hear from Rep. Deb Butler and Sen. Harper Peterson about what it will take to have a majority win in 2020 for reproductive rights! You will also hear from our VP of External Affairs, Paige Johnson. Tickets are $50. For reservations click here.

Southeast North Carolina Veterans Day Parade -- November 9

When: Saturday, November 9, 11:00 a.m.

Where: On Front Street from Brunsick Street to Orange Street, Downtown Wilmington

A parade honoring veterans will be held in Downtown Wilmington on Saturday. All veterans are invited to be in the parade. Free flags will be available to parade goers. If you want to march with Democrats contact Dennis Dixon, (240) 743-8065. For more information or to volunteer or become a sponsor contact Dan Higgins at (910) 279-0956 or visit the website at www.sencveteransparade.com

Drop Off Wilmington Election Signs at Office - November 9th and 10th

When: Saturday and Sunday, November 9th and 10th, Noon - 6 p.m.

Where: West End of Building, NHCDP HQ, 5041 New Center Drive, Wilmington

Signs should be stacked neatly by candidate on the far end of the building (the West end). We will have volunteers there on Saturday and Sunday afternoon to show you where they go. If you bring them at another time please stack them by candidate at the far end of the building and not next to the front door.

Roundtable Discussion in Support of Harper Peterson -- November 10

When: Sunday, November 10, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Where: 305 South Lumina Avenue, Wrightsville Beach

Please join NC Senator Harper Peterson for a round table discussion. Friends and neighbors will share 10-20 written words to one question, "What moment in American history galvanized your love for our country?" Enjoy great company, hors d'oeuvres, beer & wine, and lively conversation with a beautiful oceanfront view. RSVP here: bit.ly/DiscussionwithNCSenatorPeterson

You Can Vote Fundraiser With Anita Earls and Allison Riggs -- November 13

When: Wednesday, November 13, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Home of Sherwin Suddreth & Morris West, Wrightsville Beach

You Can Vote is an organization that supports voter registration, education, empowerment and turnout. YCV Founder and Executive Director Kate Fellman will be there to share You Can Vote’s plan to reach historic turnout levels for 2020. Guest Speakers will be Anita Earls, Associate Justice Supreme Court of North Carolina, and Allison Riggs, Voting Rights Chief Council for the Southern Coalition for Social Justice. Click here for additional information and to RSVP.

New Hanover County Democratic Party Monthly Meeting -- November 18

When: Monday, November 18, 6:00 p.m.

Where: NHCDP HQ, 5041 New Center Drive, Wilmington

The meeting will include an election of an SEC Member and a resolution supporting WAVE Transit.

Reception to Honor Mal Maynard -- November 21

When: Thursday, November 21, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Where: City Club of Wilmington, 23 S. 2nd Street, Wilmington

The North Carolina Justice Center is hosting a reception for Mal Maynard of the Financial Protection Law Center for his years of extraordinary advocacy and commitment to the practice of community law. The NC Justice Center works to reduce poverty and to build an economy where all families and communities can thrive. Tickets are $50 and sponsorships are available. RSVP to [email protected]

Wilmington Precinct 29 Awards Banquet -- November 29

When: Friday, November 29, 6:45 p.m.

Where: I.L.A. Longshoreman's Hall, 5th Avenue and Kidder Street

Mike Morgan, Associate Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, will speak at a fundraising event to support the Williston Project, an effort to promote the history of what was once Wilmington's high school for African Americans. Early Bird tickets will be available for $35 until November 8 and $50 thereafter. Checks should be sent to NHCDP, W29 for the Williston Project Inc. and mailed to P.O. Box 1102, Wilmington NC 28401. To pay by credit card, click here.

For information call Yvette McLaurin Robinson at 910-431-6355.

Filing Period for November 2020 Election -- December 2 to December 20, 2019

When: From December 2 to December 20, 2020

Where: County Board of Elections for state and local offices, North Carolina Board of Elections for federal offices

Persons wishing to run for office in the 2020 general election must file during the stated filing period. Instructions for filing may be found at https://elections.nhcgov.com/candidates/filing-office/ A list of current incumbents may be found at https://elections.nhcgov.com/candidates/elected-officials/

Best,

Richard Poole, Chair

News Content by James Cummings

If you have any announcements, comments, questions or concerns regarding this email series, please contact the Editor here.

Paid for by the New Hanover County Democratic Party

Mailing Address:

NHCDP

PO Box 3036

Wilmington, NC 28406

Office Address:

5041 New Centre Drive

Wilmington, NC 28403

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