Harris Voter Protection Official Mike Jones & NC Gubernatorial Candidate Josh Stein Speak at Prominent Black Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC
Mike Jones, Harris Campaign’s Deputy National Director for Voter Protection and Access — Speaks to congregants at Springfield Baptist Church
Harris-Walz campaign official Mike Jones joined North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein, and NC superintendent candidate Maurice “Mo” Green to discuss voter protection and access to the polls, civic engagement and responsibilities, and candidates’ platforms. The event was held at Raleigh’s Springfield Baptist Church, that was founded in 1866 by former slaves, and is one of the largest African-American churches in Wake County with over 1500 members.
Benjamin Johnson, who is the church’s Political Action Chairman, explained that the event, held on Monday, 14 October 2024, was part of a series of civics classes held at the church, to offer congregation members “refreshers” on issues such as the structure and function of government, rights and duties of citizens, citizens’ participation in government by voting, and voter protection and access.
Johnson said that the church invites government officials to speak about their official governmental roles, services their departments provide, and citizen access to government services. They invite candidates “from any and all parties,” to discuss their respective platforms, so congregants can hear as many different perspectives as possible so everyone can be widely informed about ballot box options. Johnson noted that congregants “want to hear from all sides.”
Johnson said that the church’s pastor, Reverend Dr. Kevin Sturdivant, believes that information from multiple sources is important for congregants seeking to fulfill their civic responsibilities.
Harris For President (by Mike Jones, Esq.)
Mike Jones, the Deputy National Director for Voter Protection and Access of the Harris-Walz campaign, traveled to Raleigh from his base in Washington, DC, and joined the Springfield civics class.
Jones explained the importance of citizens voting, and that voters should not be deterred by any obstacles they might face voters at the ballot box. He shared information about voter protection, how people can help ensure that their right to vote is protected, and how they can participate in helping to ensure that voting rights are protected for others in N.C.
It is important to understand the rules for early voting and for voting on Election Day, and to ensure that one understands the voter ID rules, hours for voting, policies for permissible activities at the polling places, and how to get assistance if there are any problems when one is trying to vote.
Gubernatorial Candidate Josh Stein - speaks to congregants at Springfield Baptis Church
Sometimes, when a person arrives at a polling place to vote, they may be told that they are not permitted to vote because they at the wrong precinct, that their name is not listed as an eligible person to vote, that they do not have the required ID, or that the computer system states that the person has already voted.
What do you do if you encounter such challenges?
There may be a partisan or non-partisan Voter Protection worker at the polling station who may be able to assist the voter, or the voter can call a Hotline. The Harris Voter Assistance Team can be reached at 1-833-VOTE4NC (1-833-868-3462) and by e-mail at voterprotection@ncdp.org. A non-partisan voter information hotline is 1-866-OUR-VOTE or 1-866- 687-8683.
You can sign up for Voter Protection -- to become a person who helps voters who face such challenges. You do not have to be a lawyer to do Voter Protection, anyone can undergo a short, 60 – 90 minute training and be able to do Voter Protection.
There is a need for volunteers to help protect the right to vote during early vote, on Election Day, and even after Election Day. Volunteers can work live at polling places. Volunteers can also work remotely, from their home or office. Volunteers do not need to be a lawyer to help – non-lawyers are welcome to help with voter protection.
Maurice “Mo” Green, candidate for NC State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Mike Jones is the Deputy National Director for Voter Protection and Access for the entire Harris-Walz campaign nationwide. David Adeleye is the North Carolina Director for Voter Protection and Ballot Access, is based in Raleigh, and works for the “Coordinated Campaign”, through which the Harris-Walz campaign works with the Stein campaign and the campaigns of other Democrats in NC. Meredith Horton is the National Director for Voter Protection and Access for the Harris-Walz campaign.
Find out more about Harris-Walz voter protection, visit www.lawyersforharris.com/voterprotection.
Additional non-partisan Voter Protection opportunities can be found on various websites, including www.LawyersForHarris.com. Voter Protection opportunities for other parties might be found on their respective websites.
Josh Stein For Governor
North Carolina Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein, talked about issues relevant to his role as Attorney General, about what he proposes as governor, and the importance of voting. Because Stein was scheduled to attend a live debate in Fayetteville that night, he presented his remarks digitally.
Maurice “Mo” Green For State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Maurice “Mo” Green is a candidate for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the chief administrative officer for North Carolina’s public school system.
He is the former Guilford County Schools Superintendent and Foundation Director, and spoke about his plans for the future of public education in North Carolina.
He spoke about the importance of high quality education and about his platform.
Other Candidates. Conclusion.
Though this Springfield Church civics class’s guests were from the Democratic Party, the church has invited and sponsored candidates of other parties, for example, Mark Robinson, who is the Republican candidate for NC Governor, was invited. Candidates for public office who participate in Springfield civics classes generally speak not only about their individual platforms, but also they speak about civic engagement and access generally, in the spirit of these civics classes.
Ben Johnson addresses the congregation at the Springfield Baptist Church civics class on Voter Protection, 14 October 2024
For further information about Springfield Baptist Church, including its civics classes, please write to pac@springfieldbaptistchurch.com. Springfield Baptist Church is located at 4309 Auburn Knightdale Road, Raleigh, NC 27610.
For more information about opportunities to help with Voter Protection in North Carolina, please visit here: http://www.lawyersforharris.com/voterprotection
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David Adeleye, Voter Protection and Ballot Access, North Carolina Director, Harris-Walz Campaign
Meredith Horton, Voter Protection and Ballot Access, National Director, Harris-Walz Campaign
Congregants of Springfield Baptist Church attend Voter Protection civics class on 14 October 2024
Ben Johnson, of Springfield Baptist Church, with George Edwards (Lawyers for Harris — www.LawyersForHarris.com) and Adrian Butterton (ACS / Georgetown Law), 16 October 2024.
Ben Johnson, of Springfield Baptist Church and George Edwards (Lawyers for Harris) — 16 October 2024.
Congregants of Springfield Baptist Church attend Voter Protection civics class on 14 October 2024
Blog Post by George Edwards, Lawyers For Harris Website — www.LawyersForHarris.com website. Professor Edwards has performed Voter Protection in 5 Presidential cycles,, across the U.S., and has trained for Voter Protection in North Carolina and Georgia for the 2024 Presidential cycle.
North Carolina Voter Protection has been featured in other Lawyers For Harris blog posts, for example:
and
North Carolina Voter Protection Volunteer Opportunities – In-Person & Virtual — Lawyers for Harris