Where the candidates stand on key issues in NC’s 7th and 8th congressional districts

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Republican David Rouzer, who has represented North Carolina’s 7th Congressional district since 2014, is running for another term in office.  Rouzer is a staunch conservative who has criticized President Joe Biden’s policies and expressed doubts about the fairness of the 2020 election. His challenger, Marlando Pridgen, a Whiteville Democrat, is a political newcomer whose campaign focuses on environmental justice and bringing …Read more Continue reading Where the candidates stand on key issues in NC’s 7th and 8th congressional districts

Why some Black men are hesitant to vote for Harris, according to rural NC activists

By Sarah Nagem sarahnagem@borderbelt.org Marlando Pridgen, who is running for North Carolina’s 7th Congressional district, has a theory about why fewer Black voters are casting early ballots and missing out on the opportunity to support presidential candidate Kamala Harris ahead of Election Day. “In the churches,” he said, “there is this mindset of women not having a meaningful place in leadership.”  About 44,500 fewer Black …Read more Continue reading Why some Black men are hesitant to vote for Harris, according to rural NC activists

Election officials step up security in rural southeastern North Carolina

By Sarah Nagem sarahnagem@borderbelt.org Wanda Monroe, the elections director in Bladen County, wasn’t expecting any security threats at the polls this year. But she wanted to be proactive.  “We did have a meeting with all the law enforcement agencies in our county and emergency management teams to discuss safety issues that could arise,” Monroe said. Chief judges responsible for the county’s voting precincts underwent “extensive …Read more Continue reading Election officials step up security in rural southeastern North Carolina

Garland Pierce, a lone Democrat in a swath of red, wants to keep his NC House seat

By Sarah Nagem sarahnagem@borderbelt.org Garland Pierce might feel a little lonely these days.  Pierce, a 20-year political veteran, is the only Democrat in the state legislature representing any county in the 200-mile stretch between Charlotte and Wilmington along North Carolina’s southern border. Once a textile and manufacturing hub, the area was a sure thing for Democrats for decades until more rural voters shifted to the …Read more Continue reading Garland Pierce, a lone Democrat in a swath of red, wants to keep his NC House seat

Early voting turnout in NC’s Border Belt lags behind statewide surge

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  North Carolina has seen record highs for in-person early voter turnout so far this election, but most of the Border Belt counties are lagging behind the rest of the state.   Columbus and Scotland counties both had a turnout rate of about 12% as of Sunday, after three days of early in-person voting, according to the state Board of Elections. Robeson County …Read more Continue reading Early voting turnout in NC’s Border Belt lags behind statewide surge

Donald Trump Jr. will make campaign stop in Robeson County

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org Donald Trump Jr. is scheduled to make a stop in Robeson County on Friday, a sign that his father’s campaign is counting on Lumbee voters to help win North Carolina. Trump Jr. is set to appear with Tulsi Gabbard, a former U.S. House representative from Hawaii, and Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma. They will deliver remarks at a 6 p.m. event …Read more Continue reading Donald Trump Jr. will make campaign stop in Robeson County

Kamala Harris launches radio ad targeting rural North Carolina voters

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ campaign is launching a radio ad targeted at rural North Carolina voters in an effort to narrow the gap in traditionally red counties.  In the one-minute ad, titled “Like Us,” vice presidential candidate Tim Walz touts his rural roots. “In a small town, you don’t focus on the politics,” he says. “You focus on taking care …Read more Continue reading Kamala Harris launches radio ad targeting rural North Carolina voters

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Political signs target Whiteville Democrats. They say it’s voter intimidation 

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  A Whiteville woman was surprised when she went to her mailbox on Thursday and noticed a yard sign planted across the street from her home. “ILLEGALS WELCOME,” it read in large blue lettering, with an arrow pointed at her front door. The woman, Laura — the Border Belt Independent is identifying her by her first name only to protect her privacy — …Read more Continue reading Political signs target Whiteville Democrats. They say it’s voter intimidation 

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Scotland County Voter Guide 2024

By Sarah Nagem and Ben Rappaport Scotland County voters will cast ballots in federal, state and local races this fall. Early voting begins Oct. 17 and ends Nov. 2. See locations and times here. Election Day is Nov. 5, when polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Find your polling place and see a sample ballot here. At the top of the …Read more Continue reading Scotland County Voter Guide 2024

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Robeson County Voter Guide 2024

By Sarah Nagem and Ben Rappaport Robeson County voters will cast ballots in federal, state and local races this fall.  Early voting begins Oct. 17 and ends Nov. 2. See locations and times here.  Election Day is Nov. 5, when polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Find your polling place and see a sample ballot here.  At the top of the …Read more Continue reading Robeson County Voter Guide 2024