Butterfield: Wilson County Early Voting Plan will Disenfranchise Voters

For Release: Immediate                                                                                                                             Contact: Kim Atterbury

July 11, 2014                                                                                                                                                         Office: 202.225.3101

Butterfield: Wilson County Early Voting Plan will Disenfranchise Voters

Wilson, NC - Today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) sent a letter to the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) asking they approve an early voting plan that does not restrict voters' access to the polls.  Yesterday, the Wilson County Board of Elections approved an early voting plan that excludes Sunday voting and does not provide for any early voting sites outside of the City of Wilson.  This misguided decision was made at a public meeting where residents were denied the right to comment prior to the

 Board voting. 

Butterfield wrote, "I am extremely concerned about the latest actions taken by the Board because they will ultimately disenfranchise voters and stifle electoral participation. 

Public support for Sunday voting was clearly demonstrated at yesterday's Board meeting where two dozen residents attempted to voice support but Board Chairman Robert Brown did not let them speak prior to the vote.  Residents of Wilson County were rightfully outraged with their inability to offer public comment during Thursday's meeting. 

Restricting voter access amounts to voter suppression, not voter protection."  Because the vote of the Wilson County Board of Elections was not unanimous, the ultimate fate of the plan will be decided by the North Carolina Board of Elections. 

Butterfield's letter to the North Carolina State Board of Elections follows.

July 11, 2014

Mr. Joshua B. Howard

Chairman

North Carolina State Board of Elections

441 North Harrington Street

Raleigh, North Carolina 27603

Dear Chairman Howard:

I write regarding the public meeting held by the Wilson County Board of Elections (Board) on Thursday, July 10, 2014.  I am extremely concerned about the latest actions taken by the Board because they will ultimately disenfranchise voters and stifle electoral participation. 

The Board, with a 2 - 1 vote, approved the plan establishing hours and locations for early voting for the November 2014 general election.  The plan passed by the Board would add another polling place inside the Wilson city limits bringing the total number of polling places inside the city limits to three with none located in the county.  Forty percent of the population of Wilson County lives outside the city limits which will surely be an impediment to their desire to participate in early voting.  The plan also excluded Sunday voting.  This action will further limit voter participation, particularly among African Americans and senior citizens.  I believe this move is the result of recent actions by the General Assembly to make it more difficult to vote. 

Wilson County has a history of Sunday voting including as recently as the 2012 general election and is widely supported by Wilson County residents.  Public support for Sunday voting was clearly demonstrated at yesterday's Board meeting where two dozen residents attempted to voice support but Board Chairman Robert Brown did not let them speak prior to the vote.  Residents of Wilson County were rightfully outraged with their inability to offer public comment during Thursday's meeting. 

I understand that because the Board's vote was not unanimous, the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) is compelled to render a decision on the plan.  I have been informed that Board member Chip Futrell, who was the dissenting vote to yesterday's plan, will request to speak at the NCSBE meeting on this issue and present an alternative plan for Wilson County.  I respectfully request you permit him to formally address the NCSBE so that the residents of Wilson County will have every opportunity to voice their opinion and have the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote for their candidates of choice. 

Restricting voter access amounts to voter suppression, not voter protection.  I ask that you not participate in this obvious plan to limit voter participation in Wilson County.  I request that you enact a fair plan for early voting that will make voting accessible for all citizens.

Thank you very much.

                                                                                Very truly yours,

                                                                                G. K. Butterfield

                                                                                Member of Congress

cc:           Ms. Rhonda K. Amoroso

                Mr. Joshua D. Malcolm

                Mr. Paul J. Foley

                Ms. Maja Knicker

                Ms. Kim Westbrook Strach

                Mr. Robert D. Brown

                Mr. Joel Killion

                Mr. Chip Futrell

                Ms. Rena' Morris

                Ms. Tasha Bell

http://Butterfield.House.Gov

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President of the NC NAACP Showing the Necessity for Federal Preclearance Protections in North Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 11, 2014

Contact: Sarah Bufkin, NC NAACP - smbufkin@gmail.com or 404.285.3413

Jamie Phillips Cole, jamie.cole@naacpnc.org or 919.682.4700

U. S. Senate Testimony of Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President of the NC NAACP        Showing the Necessity for Federal Preclearance Protections in North Carolina

A copy of Dr. Barber's testimony can be found HERE.

 DURHAM, NC - To explain how North Carolina has seen its expansive voter protections rolled back since the Shelby Co. v. Holder decision gutted the Voting Rights Act's Section V preclearance requirement, NC NAACP President Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II was invited to present written testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary as it consider its Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2014.

"Since the Supreme Court's ruling in Shelby County, Alabama v. Holder, inclusive democracy is under attack in ways that dangerously and disproportionately imperil voters of color," Dr. Barber wrote. "North Carolina is a stark example of the continued need for the Voting Rights Act. The full protections of the Voting Rights Act remain necessary to ensure that the promises of the Reconstruction Amendments are kept."

This national debate over a proposed Voting Rights Amendment Act is taking place just as the NC NAACP, that Dr. Barber leads, finished a week of presenting testimony in the U.S. Court, challenging was most observers have called the worst voter suppression law to be passed in the South since Jim Crow. The NC NAACP and its legal team await the decision of whether to grant a preliminary injunction of the voter suppression law by the federal judge who conducted the four-day hearing. He said the decision would come "sooner than later."   

The legal team, led by the Advancement Project, presented documentary and testimonial evidence that emphasized the law, passed by Speaker Thom Tillis, Senate leader Phil Berger, and Gov. Pat McCrory in a last-minute rush 11 months ago, violated the 14th, 15th and 26th Amendments and Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act because it disproportionately impacted people of color, the elderly, young people, women and other minority groups.

A full copy of Dr. Barber's testimony can be accessed HERE. The Forward Together Moral Movement will be circulating copies to all of North Carolina's representatives in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. 

 

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Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. The NC Conference of NAACP Branches is 70 years old this year and is made up of over 100 Adult, Youth and College NAACP units across the state, convenes more than 160 members of the Historic Thousands on Jones Street (HKonJ) People's Assembly Coalition, and is the architect of the Moral Monday & Forward Together Movement. 

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#NCGA Senate Calendar July 14, 2014

The Senate Calendar has been posted on the N.C. General Assembly's website.

 

http://www.ncleg.net/Calendars/CurrentCalendars/CurrentSenateCalendar.pdf

 

 

NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

2013 SESSION

 

SENATE CALENDAR

Monday, July 14, 2014

 

Senate Convenes - 7:00 p.m.	Legislative Day 141

 

CALL TO ORDER	Senator Phil Berger, President Pro Tempore
PRAYER	The Reverend Peter Milner, Senate Chaplain

JOURNAL APPROVAL

RATIFICATION OF BILLS ORDERED ENROLLED

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

REPORTS OF SELECT COMMITTEES

INTRODUCTIONS

MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

VETO MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

SPECIAL ORDERS

GENERAL ORDERS

 

PUBLIC BILLS

 

FOR CONCURRENCE

 

SB 729 (id H 1228)			Apodaca, Berger	5th Ed.
GOVERNOR'S COAL ASH ACTION PLAN.				H Com Sub
	5-15-14	Ag./Envir./Nat Res.
	6-17-14	Unfav bill; Ag./Envir./Nat Res. Com Sub Adopted; (Chgs title)
COAL ASH MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2014.
	6-17-14	rerefer Appropriations/Base Budget; if Fav Finance
	6-18-14	Fav; rerefer Finance
	6-19-14	Fav; Cal 6‑24‑14
	6-24-14	Hartsell Amd. No. 1 Adopted (Chgs title); Apodaca Sub Amd. No. 3 Adopted; Woodard Amd. No. 2 Failed; Stein Amd. No. 4 Withdrawn; Foushee Amd. No. 5 Failed; McLaurin Amd. No. 6 Failed; J. Jackson Amd. No. 7 Failed; Van Duyn Amd. No. 8 Failed; Passed 2nd Rdg
	6-25-14	Foushee Amd. No. 9 Adopted; Stein Amd. No. 10 Adopted; Apodaca Sub Amd. No. 12 Adopted; Stein Amd. No. 11 Failed; Clark Amd. No. 13 Failed; Wade Amd. No. 14 Adopted; Apodaca Amd. No. 15 Adopted; Passed 3rd Rdg; Engrossed
	7-7-14	Rec'd for concurrence House Com Sub; Cal 7‑8‑14
	7-8-14	W/D Cal; Cal 7‑10‑14
	7-10-14	W/D Cal; Cal 7‑14‑14

 

 

 

 

 

 

PUBLIC BILLS (continued)

 

FOR CONCURRENCE (continued)

 

SB 794			Brown	5th Ed.
DISAPPROVE INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION RULES.				H Com Sub
	5-20-14	Commerce
	6-18-14	Unfav bill; Commerce Com Sub Adopted; (Chgs title)
	6-19-14	Brown Amd. No. 1 Adopted; Passed 2nd & 3rd Rdgs; Engrossed
	7-3-14	Rec'd for concurrence House Com Sub; Cal 7‑9‑14
	7-8-14	W/D Cal; Cal 7‑10‑14
	7-10-14	W/D Cal; Cal 7‑14‑14

 

 

SB 853			Rucho, Barringer	5th Ed.
BUSINESS COURT MODERNIZATION.				H Com Sub
	5-28-14	Judiciary I; if Fav Finance
	6-9-14	W/D Judiciary I; rerefer Finance; if Fav Judiciary I
	6-10-14	Fav; rerefer Judiciary I
	6-11-14	Unfav bill; Judiciary I Com Sub Adopted; (Chgs title); Cal 6‑16‑14; W/D Cal; Cal 6‑12‑14
	6-12-14	Barringer Amd. No. 1 Adopted; Passed 2nd Rdg; Engrossed
	6-16-14	Barringer Amd. No. 2 Adopted; Passed 3rd Rdg; Engrossed
	7-8-14	Rec'd for concurrence House Com Sub; Cal 7‑10‑14
	7-10-14	W/D Cal; Cal 7‑14‑14

 

 

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENT

 

Wednesday, July 16

 

JOINT LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM EVALUATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE				1:00 p.m.	1228/1327 LB
		Agenda:	Report on Child Support Services program; State Auditor presentation on DOA's Division of Purchase & Contract audit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SARAH LANG Principal Clerk

 

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Amendment to reverse Citizens United

Kennett Area Dems (@KennettDems) tweeted at 2:51 PM on Thu, Jul 10, 2014:
A Senate committee just approved a constitutional amendment to reverse #CitizensUnited.
http://t.co/M2xpm538ft via @voxdotcom
(https://twitter.com/KennettDems/status/487308071257915392)

Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download

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Closing Arguments in the Hearing over a Preliminary Injunction against the Voter Suppression Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 10, 2014

Contact: Sarah Bufkin, NC NAACP - smbufkin@gmail.com or 404.285.3413

As Lawyers Begin Closing Arguments in the Hearing over a Preliminary Injunction against the Voter Suppression Law, the NC NAACP Plaintiffs Available to Discuss Case

Media Availability

Thursday, July 10, 2014

As court ends - circa 3 pm expected

U.S. District Courthouse

251 N. Main St, Winston-Salem, NC

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - Lawyers for the North Carolina NAACP and its co-plaintiffs will begin its closing arguments today, asking U.S. District Judge Thomas Schroeder to issue a preliminary injunction against the monster voter suppression law ahead of the November elections. After the court recesses for the day, the NC NAACP plaintiffs and the Forward Together Moral Movement will be available for media interviews on the courthouse steps in Winston-Salem.

"This has been a truly historic week for the people of North Carolina, particularly for those who may find themselves disenfranchised in a few months if this law is allowed to stand," said Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, president of the North Carolina NAACP. "To our courageous, justice-loving plaintiffs and to our hard-working, justice-loving attorneys, we in the Forward Together Moral Movement say, 'Thank you.'"

A number of the NC NAACP plaintiffs, including Ms. Rosanell Eaton, Ms. Mary Perry, Rev. Jimmie Hawkins of Covenant Presbyterian Church and Rev. John Mendez, will be available for media. The NC NAACP has been represented in federal court this week by Atty. Irv Joyner of NCCU Law; Atty. Adam Stein of Chapel Hill; Advancement Project and attorneys with Kirkland Ellis, LLP.

WHO:                         The NC NAACP and the Forward Together Moral Movement

WHAT:                      Media availabilities

WHEN:                      Today after court recesses - most likely around 3 pm

WHERE:                   U.S. District Court

                                    251 N. Main St, Winston-Salem, NC

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Rocky Mount Post Office to close

@WITN:

USPS To Close Local Processing Plant, Will Save $6 Million: Postal workers at the Rocky Mount Processing and D... bit.ly/1rUZnas

--
shared via UberSocial http://ubersocial.com

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#NCGA Senate Calendar July 7, 2014

The Senate Calendar has been posted on the N.C. General Assembly's website.

 

http://www.ncleg.net/Calendars/CurrentCalendars/CurrentSenateCalendar.pdf

 

 

NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

2013 SESSION

 

SENATE CALENDAR

Monday, July 7, 2014

 

Senate Convenes - 4:00 p.m.	Legislative Day 137

 

CALL TO ORDER	The Honorable Ralph Hise Senator from Mitchell County
PRAYER	The Honorable Chad Barefoot Senator from Wake County

JOURNAL APPROVAL

RATIFICATION OF BILLS ORDERED ENROLLED

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

REPORTS OF SELECT COMMITTEES

INTRODUCTIONS

MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

VETO MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

SPECIAL ORDERS

GENERAL ORDERS

 

 

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

 

There are no scheduled Senate committee meetings for the week of July 7 – 11, 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SARAH LANG Principal Clerk

 

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#NCGA House Calendar July 7, 2014

The House Calendar has been posted to the NCGA website.

 

http://www.ncleg.net/Calendars/CurrentCalendars/CurrentHouseCalendar.pdf

 

HOUSE CALENDAR 137th Legislative Day Monday, July 7, 2014 House Convenes at 4:00 P.M.

 

Thom Tillis, Speaker

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCED BILLS

(Reminder: Members may electronically cosponsor these bills until 5:00 p.m. Tuesday)

 

HR

1275

Brandon, S. Martin and Bryan (Primary Sponsors) FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES.

 

 

2014 Request/Filing Deadlines

 

Eligible to file in 2014 but no deadlines:

 

(1)     Bills amending the North Carolina Constitution.

(2)     Appointments to/confirmation of members of State boards/commissions.

(3)     Resolutions not prohibited by House or Senate Rules.

(4)     Joint resolutions authorizing other bills (two-thirds vote required).

(5)     Election law bills.

(6)     Redistricting bills for House, Senate, and Congress.

(7)     Bills responding to litigation related to House, Senate and Congressional districts.

(8)     Bills responding to actions related to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

(9)     Bills to disapprove Administrative Rules.

(10)    Adjournment resolution sine die.

 

Otherwise eligible for consideration

 

(1)     Bills that made cross-over.

(2)     Veto overrides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                        Denise G. Weeks

                                                        Principal Clerk

 

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