“We had to invest in North Carolina,” said Katie Miller, executive director of Progressive Takeover. “Republican majorities in the General Assembly have gerrymandered along racial lines and done everything possible to cling to power.”

Progressive Takeover will spend $1,000,000 nationwide in 2018 to reach Democratic voters in key state legislative districts.

The program works to harness energy on college campuses across North Carolina by teaming up with campus activists. It focuses specifically on engaging the “rising American electorate”: people of color, single women, and millennials.

“North Carolina is pushing for a blue wave, and we’re going to make sure it’s inclusive of millennials and people of color. I can’t wait to work side by side with college students to get out the vote,” said Gina Cruz, North Carolina state director for the PAC.

In 2017, Progressive Takeover sent 42 field representatives into 10 targeted state house districts in Virginia. Each was flipped from Republican to Democratic control.

Progressive Takeover was founded to target the most competitive state legislative contests in the country. Its field staff use data-driven targeting and research-backed tactics to mobilize voters.

The PAC seeks to “end Republican gerrymandering, reverse voter suppression laws and take back state chambers,” a news release said.

League of Women Voters of North Carolina launches VOTE411.Org

On Sunday, April 8, The League of Women Voters launched VOTE411.org, a hub for election information.

The site includes candidate questionnaires, customized ballots for voters, polling locations, as well as early voting dates, locations, and times.

Organization leaders say the site is designed to be a one-stop shop for nonpartisan election information for the May 8 primary.

“Our goal is to help all voters make informed and confident decisions,” said the league’s co-president Janet Hoy. “The best way to do that is to provide every voter in the state all the information they need in one place in a straightforward and comprehensive manner.”

On the site, users can enter their address to get a sample ballot. This ballot lists all races and candidates that will appear on their actual ballot on Election Day.

Users can also access questionnaires that many candidates have submitted. The League of Women Voters does not edit or abridge the answers, so users can be confident they are reading the candidates’ positions in their own words.

“It’s a tremendous resource for candidates as well as voters, because the candidates have a unique opportunity to present their positions without worrying about spin or inaccurate editing,” said Louise Romanow, the league’s director. “The questionnaires are developed by League members in each county, so the questions are also relevant to the issues in those specific races.”

Founded in 1919, the League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan education and advocacy group focused on election and voter information.

League officials say they hope the statewide rollout and an aggressive public awareness campaign will help them exceed the most recent presidential-election year results.

“While an off-year election usually doesn’t attract high voter turnout, the current political climate has many people fired up about civic engagement,” said Hoy. “We believe North Carolinians could turn out in record numbers, and we’re doing everything we can to ensure they visit (the site) before they make it to the polls.”

Equality North Carolina endorses Marc Tiegel for Congress

In his bid to flip the 8th Congressional District back to Democratic control, Marc Tiegel has gained an endorsement from a statewide civil rights advocate.

The endorsement comes from Equality North Carolina, a group dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for LGBTQ North Carolinians.

“I am just one voice in this fight and I am honored to speak forcefully to defend all of our communities against hateful attacks,” said Tiegel. “It is extremely humbling to have such a group of dedicated servant leaders endorse me as a person and a candidate.”

Tiegel, a former school teacher and firefighter, seeks to bring respectful dialogue and build stronger individual protections throughout the 8th District.

Once elected, Tiegel plans to increase collaboration between federal and local government to best serve his fellow North Carolinians.