same-day registration

TrueMeckDem posted a Char-O article about the surge in voter registrations across NC. There is a similar article in today's N&O. The money quote of this one is from Bob Hall, Director of democracy-NC:

"The only way not to have long lines is to increase early voting sites."

I've been out registering new voters and helping voters register at their current addresses a few times over the last month. It is a truly wonderful experience. And it's the easiest dang thing I've ever done.

This is an important, if simple, post. Something strange is going on with the Registration and Voting at One-Stop Sites Bill (HB 91) and we need to stop it. If you can swing it, please come to the legislature at 12:30 tomorrow. I'll be there, outside of General Assembly Room 1027 with a cadre of committed Young Democrats.

Google Maps

Thanks to everybody who called or e-mailed, both at BlueNC and on my e-mail list. Jerry has affirmed his position in favor of H91/S195, so the crisis has been averted. They got the message due in no small part to your lobbying, and it's a good bet that S195 will pass now that the NCDP is behind it again. This is a major legislative victory for the NCYD, and YDs across the state, including the new leadership that will be sworn in at JJ, thank you for your efforts.

So where do we go from here?

From the AP Wire -

RALEIGH, N.C. -- More young people in North Carolina engaged in binge drinking than voted during recent presidential elections, according to a report released Monday by a campaign reform group.

Lovely! Aside from reports of a few impressionable Tar Heels walking into a certain campaign office south of their university, my generation isn't getting involved in politics. This doesn't bode well for North Carolina.

About 29 percent of young people between the ages of 18 and 25 voted in a major election in 2000 and 2004. That compares to the 37 percent of people aged 18 to 25 identified as "binge drinkers" in a 2004 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report. The report classified binge drinkers as individuals who had at least five drinks on one occasion in the past 30 days.