COMMUNITY NEWS
By Jane Delano Brown
Special Correspondent
Kathy Ketterman, 80, is intrepid. She’s happy to talk with strangers, and especially if they look as if they might be as excited about this election as she is. On shuttle buses, at the grocery store, walking around. And, she has something to offer them – a Kamala Harris 2024 bracelet.
She bought ten bracelets originally and is about to order her sixth batch. She said it is more satisfying than canvassing or phone banking because she knows she’ll get to talk with someone rather than only leave literature or a message. She said, “I hold my wrist out and if they light up, I’ll ask if they’d like one. Almost everyone says yes!”
Recently at a golf tournament in Virginia, she approached two men with twins in a stroller. She asked the little boy, “Are these your daddies?” He said, “Yes!” and a conversation ensued with the parents. Both were happy to have a bracelet. Another young spectator put his on right away.
Kathy said she likes seeing the person’s face light up when they see what she’s offering. The young cashier at the grocery store said, “Why not?” when Kathy suggested she may not be able to wear the bracelet at work.
Another customer at the Credit Union said maybe he shouldn’t wear one because his brother, Mark Robinson, is running for NC governor. Kathy said nobody knows who you do or do not vote for in the privacy of the voting booth.
I’ve been wearing a purple shirt with only the word VOTE on it. That attracts attention, too. The clerk at the dog food store said she hadn’t figured out how to register to vote yet and her daughter wanted to register, too. I happened to have some voter registration forms in the car and brought her a couple.
‘Tis the season to help our community get involved in this important election. Let’s make sure all our neighbors and the folks we interact with are prepared to vote. You might even have a bracelet or a voter registration form to give them.
You can download voter registration forms HERE. You can also encourage folks to register online if they’ve ever done business with the DMV.
An easy opening question is: “Are you registered to vote at your current address?” Remind them that they will have to present a photo ID. Encourage folks to vote early, beginning on Oct. 17. They can register and vote on the same day during early voting. Anyone eligible to vote in Orange County can vote at any of these locations:
ORANGE COUNTY EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS
Orange Works at Hillsborough Commons
113 Mayo St, Hillsborough
Efland Cheeks Community Center
117 Richmond Rd, Efland
Chapel Hill Library
100 Library Dr, Chapel Hill
Chapel of the Cross
304 E. Franklin St, Chapel Hill
Seymour Center
2551 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill
Carrboro Town Hall Complex
108 Bim St, Carrboro
| All locations will be open these dates and times |
| Thurs – Fri, Oct 17 & 18 8 am – 7:30pm |
| Saturday, Oct 19 8 am – 3 pm |
| Sunday, Oct 20 12 pm – 5 pm |
| Mon – Fri, Oct 21 – 25 8 am – 7:30 pm |
| Saturday, Oct 26 8 am – 3 pm |
| Sunday, Oct 27 12 pm – 5 pm |
| Mon – Fri, Oct 28 – Nov 1 8 am – 7:30 pm |
| Saturday, Nov 2 8 am – 3 pm |
If you wait to vote on election day (Nov. 5) you must vote at your precinct’s polling place. You can find that HERE.
Fewer than 40 days left. Let’s make sure everyone gets to the polls this time.
If you like canvassing, phone banking, or postcard writing, it’s easy to get involved. Just Google the candidate you’d like to work with. They’d love to have you volunteer.
Jane D. Brown taught in the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media for 35 years and has lived in Chapel Hill since 1977.
Brilliant! Thanks for the great ideas, Jane.