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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

NC Nonpartisan "Get Out the Vote" Efforts Have an Impact

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Monday, November 7, 2011   

RALEIGH, N.C. - As North Carolina approaches state general elections Tuesday, there is proof that nonpartisan "get out the vote" efforts can have an impact on voter turnout.

Campaign stickers and cardboard signs are all over the state, asking citizens to vote for a particular party or candidate. While tons of money has been spent on such partisan campaigning and on negative ads, there are some organizations that simply want to make sure people exercise their right to vote. David Johnson of Charlotte, a senior at Saint Augustine's College in Raleigh, is working with Common Cause, canvassing neighborhoods in Wake County. He says voters are welcoming the nonpartisan message.

"Once you say that, it opens up the door for actual conversation, simply about voting, about the importance of getting out there, choosing a side if you want to, or not choosing a side and just going for the candidate."

Common Cause canvassing teams have visited about 2,000 Wake County homes in the past few weeks. The group organized similar efforts last month for municipal school board elections and found that areas that were canvassed had a 2.7 percent higher turnout than areas that were not visited.

Bob Phillips, the executive director for Common Cause North Carolina, says local and state elections can sometimes have a more direct impact on citizens than national elections.

"They are very important and what we try and explain to students or voters is that these are the folks that affect - in this case, it's the schools - the quality of your schools."

This year Common Cause is focusing on Wake County because of its highly-contested elections and their potential impact on public schools. The organization is partnering white and black students to canvass in teams, to further its messages of nonpartisanship and unity.

Chuck Jones is from High Point and is a junior at NC State. He says canvassing for this election has also affected him as a voter.

"I feel like I've actually participated enough in the entire process that I don't think I'm going to fall back in that apathetic role anymore. "

Common Cause has plans to expand its canvassing model to 'get out the vote' efforts next year in Fayetteville and Greensboro.


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