Latest news with #CommonCauseNC
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Three-part Fayetteville election series kicks off this week. What to know if you're going
A Fayetteville advocacy group will kick off its three-part, election-year series later this week. Fayetteville Freedom For All is partnering with Common Cause North Carolina and Democracy North Carolina for the nonpartisan Local Matters Municipal Election series, with the first event planned for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 14 at Crossroads Church in Fayetteville, according to a Fayetteville Freedom for All Facebook post. Happening today: Fayetteville Pride is hosting an election forum — with a twist. Here's what to know The first event, Local Matters Town Hall and Candidate Sit-In, offers Fayetteville residents a chance to voice their questions and concerns, which will inform the questions asked of candidates at the second and third forums, the post said. All candidates for City Council and mayor of Fayetteville have been invited to attend and listen. The second event will be a Fayetteville mayoral and City Council candidate forum from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 25. The third event will be a general election candidate forum from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 21. Venues have not yet been announced for those events, according to the Facebook post. The details When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14 Where: Crossroads Church, 306 McArthur Road, Fayetteville RSVP: More information: This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville Freedom For All hosting 3-part municipal election series Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas legislative push places focus on state of gerrymandering in North Carolina
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Efforts by Texas lawmakers to redraw congressional maps further in their favor has placed a renewed focus on gerrymandering, the drawing and redrawing of electoral districts to benefit a single party. The practice is not isolated to Texas. 'That's what we have in North Carolina,' said Bob Phillips with Common Cause NC, a group advocating for fair, nonpartisan maps. 'Most of the legislative, most of the congressional districts, we already know who's going to win because the way the lines are drawn, and actually that's the way it is in much of the country.' A power grab by NC Republicans becomes a referendum on democracy in the states Despite North Carolina being classified as a 'purple' state, gerrymandering by state Republicans gave the GOP a 10-4 control of congressional seats and only one seat short of a total supermajority in Raleigh. As Philips points out, it is a strategy that has been used by both parties. 'When the Democrats were in control, they never supported redistricting reform. When they lost control, then they are jumping all over it,' said Phillips. Democrats have tried multiple times in recent years to pass legislation that would allow voters to decide how districts are drawn, by lawmakers or a nonpartisan commission. One of the authors of the latest bills, Buncombe County State Rep. Lindsey Prather, acknowledged her party has a history of gerrymandering. 'I'm well aware of the fact that Democrats gerrymandered in the past here in North Carolina. They did. And there are Democrats that are gerrymandering in other states right now across the country,' said Prather. But she argued that it doesn't eliminate the need for new maps. No reelection campaign for Democratic after North Carolina GOP redrew U.S. House map 'We are a purple state, and our voters support nonpartisan state and our voters support nonpartisan, independent redistricting which is why this bill that we wrote would put it to the ballot,' Prather added. Outside the legislature, former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr has taken legal action. He's asking the State Court of Appeals to order maps be fairly drawn, creating districts that are compact and connected, not based on voting patterns. 'If you don't have fair elections then democracy fails,' said Orr. It Is Orr's hope this renewed attention caused by the controversy in Texas will convince both the public and those in power that change is essential. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hundreds rally in downtown Raleigh against Judge Jefferson Griffin
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Jefferson Griffin, the Republican candidate for North Carolina Supreme Court, faced opposition Monday as hundreds rallied in downtown Raleigh calling for him to concede the November election. 'We're here today because there's a sore loser named Jefferson Griffin who refuses to concede the race,' said Gino Nizzolillo with Common Cause NC, which helped organize the rally. Two recounts have confirmed Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs as the winner by 734 votes. Griffin has since launched a months-long legal battle to throw out more than 60,000 votes he says were cast by ineligible voters. One of those votes was cast by Dr. Amy Bryant, who said she was shocked to receive a flyer in her mailbox after the election. 'The idea that my vote could just be thrown out on absolutely baseless pretenses is just outrageous to me,' Bryant said. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Judge affirms NC Board of Elections decision in state Supreme Court race 'How could my name be on the list?' she said. 'I've voted in every single election since 2011 here in North Carolina.' The case is now in the hands of the Wake County Superior Court. Earlier this month, a Wake County Superior Court judge ruled the votes should be counted. Griffin is appealing the judge's decision. In addition to calling for Griffin to concede, the rally's organizers said they want other lawmakers to hear voter concerns. RELATED: Jefferson Griffin appeals Wake County judge's decision in NC Supreme Court race 'They're going to be up for re-election here in 2026, 2028, or may run for office again,' Nuzzolillo said. 'We need to make clear to them because they are political creatures the people of North Carolina are watching, Monday's rally is one of dozens statewide. Organizers said they're going to keep speaking out until they feel their voices are heard. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
