Faith communities that are interested in promoting voter participation for this year's local elections can engage in a number of activities without violating their charters. For guidance on these activities, please download our Election Year Guide for Faith-Based Communities.
Special Guest Columns
Bob Hall:
Honorable alternatives for campaign financing
DURHAM -- When a politician cheats or steals, the press loves to play "gotcha" and the public is outraged. But what if the rules of the campaign system invite a candidate to cheat and lie in order to win election?
Will the media and public demand that the system change? Will they praise the politician who acts ethically and still wins? Why don't politicians such as House Speaker Joe Hackney or state Treasurer Janet Cowell get more kudos for their leadership on ethics and efforts to reform the campaign finance system? It's easy to criticize, but so much harder to take responsibility for fixing the problem.
Read more in The News & Observer.
Shaunee Morgan:
Town's Public Financing Program Far-sighted
In the coming months, the Supreme Court is poised to make an incredible decision in the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case that would, in effect, allow corporations to directly contribute to political campaigns.
Its implication, that commercial entities such as corporations should have the political free speech rights of individuals, is a threat to the democratic ideal of government for, of and by the people. It would also further exacerbate the problem of special interest groups influencing political candidates.
Read more here in the Chapel Hill News.
Ashley Foxx:
Giving Teens a Civic Voice
"Can you hear me now?"
Remember that commercial for a popular cell phone company? The network traversed the country to ensure that everyone who spoke could be heard. In our democracy, your voice is your vote, and beginning in January, a chorus of teenagers will be given a greater opportunity to find their civic voices in North Carolina.
How? For the first-time ever, 16- and 17-year-olds will be allowed to "pre-register" to vote. They will automatically become full registered voters when they turn 18.
During these uncertain times, the most important way to ensure our country's continued success is through the education of our youth. For years, North Carolina schools have taken the time to educate young people on the importance of civics. However, with most civics education occurring in the 10th grade, the process of voter registration and voting remains abstract and something for the distant future.
Voter pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds changes that. It provides a clear and practical way to draw the youth of our state directly into the voting process.
Read more at FayettevilleObserver.com.
