Pitt County Democratic Party

The North Carolina State Board of Elections will meet on Wednesday, June 24, at 9:AM. One of the agenda items is “Initial Consideration of Board Member Complaints,” which includes the complaint of Pitt County Board of Elections Chair Neal Driver, Secretary Debby Avery, and new member Kenton Moyer against former Chair and most senior member Etsil Mason.
NOTE: This is not the formal hearing — no questions will be asked. NCSBE will decide whether a hearing will be held.
You can watch the meeting by logging in to https://click-1863564.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php with password NCSBE or calling in to 415-655-0003 and entering access code 2438 176 4537 # and passcode 62723 #.
OF SPECIAL NOTE: NCSBE has followed NCGS by redacting personnel information in the complaint, yet Driver, Avery, and Moyer provided their complaint — in violation of NCGS — to The Daily Reflector: https://www.reflector.com/news/local/complaint-calls-for-removal-of-elections-board-member/article_b9b66bf0-7fbd-4e96-82c3-c671ca768e39.html. The fact that they met — in person or via email — is also in violation of NCGS/NC Open Meetings Law.
ALSO OF NOTE: Pitt County BOE did not have a unanimous vote on our county’s Early Voting locations and dates at their June 17 meeting, so NCSBE will decide where and when those locations will be open. They could approve the new Director’s proposed plan, or they could make their own plan. That item is not on Wednesday’s agenda, so it is likely that Pitt County BOE staff will have to rush to confirm locations and get poll workers background-checked and approved after NCSBE meets in July or maybe even August.
Here’s hoping that Pitt County will have enough properly trained election workers after Chair Driver and Director Turner — in violation of NCGS — fired [redacted], who was the longest-tenured Pitt County BOE employee and trained Pitt County election workers.

Sending warm wishes to all the fathers, grandfathers, and father-figures out there, and comfort to all those whose fathers are no longer with them. 🤍

Common Cause is holding a rally in Raleigh on Tuesday, June 22, at 5:pm at Halifax Mall, 300 N. Salisbury Street.

“North Carolinians will converge on Raleigh for a mass rally to condemn politicians’ failed priorities and push back against the latest round attacks on our elections at every level – including new, anti-voter legislation (House Bill 958), election tampering by the state auditor, and rampant local efforts to create barriers to casting and counting our ballots.

“No matter the issues driving you to vote this fall, this is your chance to learn from impacted and empowered communities that have taken on voter suppression in the past few weeks (and won!) and engage in all the ways we can work together to help North Carolinians cast a ballot this fall.

“Together, we will protect our vote.”

Sign up here —>

We Will Protect Our Vote | Rally in Raleigh · Common Cause On June 22, North Carolinians will converge on Raleigh for a mass rally to condemn politicians’ failed priorities and push back against the latest round attacks on our elections at every level – including new, anti-voter legislation (House Bill 958), election tampering by the state auditor, and ...

Freedom isn’t just a moment in history, it’s something we build every day. We celebrate today knowing the work continues. Happy Juneteenth!

Here are some Juneteenth events across Pitt County:
Sycamore Hill MBC —> Friday, June 19, 11:am
Movie in the Park, Winterville Recreation Park, 332 Sylvania St —> Friday, June 19, 8:15pm
Freedom, Resiliance, Legacy, Thomas Foreman Park —> Saturday, June 20, 10:am-2:pm
Health & Wellness Festival, Ayden Arts & Recreation Center —> Sunday, June 21, 3-8:PM

Ready for *Senator* Roy Cooper!

Join Senator Kandie Smith with featured guests Senate Minority Leader Sydney Batch and Deputy Leader Michael Garrett for her campaign kickoff!
📆Monday, June 29
⏰6:pm-7:30
📌Address provided upon RSVP
R.s.v.p here --> https://secure.actblue.com/donate/smith-26kickoff

🚨CALL TO ACTION🚨
The Pitt County Board of Elections will meet on Wednesday, June 17, at 4:30 p.m. at 1800 N. Greene Street (the date is incorrect on the notice, and the Director's name hasn't been updated since January 1).
The Board will be discussing Early Voting locations and dates/times as well as a "Resolution for Public Comment."
Here's the assignment:
📍Attend in person.
📍Bring a friend(s) who cares about free and fair elections.
📍If you are unable to attend in person, log on at https://8x8.vc/pittc/janet.turner.a2n

The North Carolina General Assembly Republicans dropped an unannounced omnibus bill last night packed with sweeping changes to North Carolina's voting laws. The actions of the NCGA and our local Boards of Elections affect all of us. Your vote is your voice.

Father’s Day is a week from tomorrow, and today I am called to invoke one who wasn’t just a father to his two sons or just a father-figure to nieces and nephews, to the children in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools or at his church, or to the 14 Eagle Scouts who he mentored. I am called to invoke one who was graduated from Bethel Union School, received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from NC A&T, and served in the U.S. Army and the Army National Guard for 30 years. One who was respected in the county and took his seat among the elders of the church [Proverbs 31]; who was resolute that the work of our elected officials is to obey the voice of the people in all that we say to them [1 Samuel]; and who stood by his wife to serve their community, had full confidence in her, and lacked nothing of value [Proverbs 31]. One who, a week ago Wednesday, presented a Senior Service at Holly Hill Original Free Will Baptist Church, the words of which are still ringing in the ears of those who listened carefully to what he said [Job 13]: challenging men to be better, to be a father/father-figure to their children and to anyone who needs it. Mildred, his wife of 49 years, 9 months, and 29 days, asked me on behalf of her and their sons, Baker & Logan, to issue the “Council Challenge”: Train up a child, and help her go to school. Vote, and inspirit everyone you encounter to do the same.
Let us remember today from 3-5:pm at Rivers-Morgan; tomorrow at 3:pm at Holly Hill OFWB Church; Tuesday noon at Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery; and always Walter Baker Council, a man of mercy, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten; whose prosperity will remain with his descendants, and his inheritance to his children’s children. His descendants stand by the covenants; his children also, for his sake. His posterity will continue forever, and his glory will not be blotted out. His body will be buried in peace, and his name lives to all generations. We will declare his wisdom, and the congregation proclaim his praise. [Sirach 44]
-Molly Holdeman, Chair

Obituary information for Walter Baker Council View Walter Baker Council's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

North Carolinians, this is what the Republican Party is trying to do: suppress the vote.
📌Contact Rep. Tim Reeder (HD9) and tell how you feel about this bill: 919-733-5757, https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/ContactMember/H/811.
📌Confirm your voter registration or get registered: https://vt.ncsbe.gov/reglkup/, https://www.ncsbe.gov/registering/how-register/complete-your-registration-online-through-dmv.
📌Pack the Gallery, Tuesday, June 16, 9:AM, NCGA, 16 W. Jones Street, Raleigh: https://www.mobilize.us/ncdems/event/972754/
📌Show up for the Pitt County Board of Elections meeting on Wednesday, June 17, at 4:30 p.m., 1800 N. Greene Street.
📌Get involved! https://pittcountydems.com
📌Vote BLUE all the way through on November 3.

On Friday evening, the Republican leaders of North Carolina's state legislature dropped a big, unannounced, 36-page omnibus bill stuffed to the brim with new voting restrictions and elections changes.

This thing is a voter suppression wishlist. Just some of its major provisions:
👉 Total ban on encouraging voter turnout: State and county board members are prohibited from any public statement "encouraging or promoting voter turnout in any election"
👉 Grants the Republican State Auditor total discretion to audit all machines, county offices and personnel involved in any election
👉 Reduces campaign finance transparency: the bill significantly raises the dollar thresholds for required reporting of dark money contributions or media expenditures, waiving reporting for the rest
👉 Requires voters to register with a political party a full year before voting in that party's primary election (up from 90 days)
👉 Total ban on any ranked-choice voting in any primary or general election statewide
👉 Strips some overseas voters of their eligibility to vote in any state elections
👉 Partisan staffing: changes up to 25 professional staff at the State Board of Elections from career civil staff to partisan political appointees
👉 Bans paid petition gathering

This bill just dropped last night and may not be online yet (they like to take their time). We got a full draft of the bill here:https://carolinaforward.org/images/hb-958-pcs.pdf

While some Democrats met at our second Saturday meeting, others greeted attendees at Pride Fest at A Time for Science. Everyone deserves to love openly and live authentically. Happy Pride Month! 🌈