Daily Deacon

Election Day Comes to Wake Forest

Student Starts Rubio Office at WFU

Daniella Feijoo met GOP candidate Marco Rubio while in Columbia, S.C. with Wake the Vote last month. She was struck by his sincerity when speaking with supporters and was inspired to help start a Rubio support chapter at Wake Forest University.

“Our purpose in creating a chapter is part of the statewide plan to enlist students across the state of North Carolina to support Marco Rubio for President,” said Feijoo, a self-identified Republican and freshman at WFU from Wauconda, Ill., hoping to major in Political Science & International Affairs.

When Rubio dropped out of the race at 8:28 PM last night after losing in Florida, Feijoo was crushed. She felt the media had focused so much on his platform not being conservative enough that voters went to the extremes of Trump and Cruz. “Just because his values weren’t super conservative, he couldn’t get the Republican base he needed,” she said.

Feijoo was one of the main leaders beside fellow student Carl McPhail hoping to create a Rubio support chapter at Wake. The group planned to hold debate watch parties and work with WFU College Republicans to host events such as voter registration throughout the Presidential Primaries and Election.

“We truly believe in Rubio as a strong public servant and politician. We believe in his platform and his ability to unite the country,” she said.

A contributing factor to her involvement in the chapter was Feijoo’s participation in Wake the Vote. This is a democratic engagement program of 22 students who traveled to the Iowa caucuses, New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries, and Washington, D.C.

“It has been a great experience,” she said.

There were fifteen members in Rubio’s Wake chapter, but Feijoo hoped they would grow by holding an information station outside of the Pit, posting articles on their Twitter page, and sharing a Google form for those interested to sign up.

“We have been in contact with students from UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State,” said Feijoo. According to her, Rubio’s strategist Garret Ventry and Representative Jason Saine of the NC General Assembly for District 97 planned to visit the chapter later this semester. They would have discussed the future of Rubio’s campaign.

“He would have made such a great president,” said Feijoo.

Photos courtesy of Daniella Feijoo

B-matter

Democratic B-matter

Two remaining democrats in the field are Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. Sanders is considered more leftist than Clinton and has relied heavily on social justice issues and youth and minority voters thus far in primaries. Hillary is more of an establishment candidate and relies on her experience and “realistic” promises moreso than Sanders.

In terms of Primary results and voter turnout, Clinton holds the edge over Sanders in both. Clinton won seven states on Super Tuesday to Sanders’ four. The two candidates saw a significant decrease in voter turnout compared to eight years ago, when Obama brought nearly 30% more voters to the polls than both Clinton and Sanders combined.

Based on the results of Super Tuesday it looks likely that Clinton will receive the Democratic nomination over Sanders, by a fairly wide margin of both voters and delegates. Many pundits attribute this to Sanders’ highly progressive agenda, which many voters see as too idealistic and extreme to work in American politics. Clinton’s slightly more conservative agenda seems to be working with voters who feel struck and disconcerted by the absurdity of many of the candidates in the entire field.

Historically, the democratic candidate who has performed better on Super Tuesday has gone on to win the nomination and pundits believe this year’s election to be no different. Sources have the odds of Clinton winning the nomination over Sanders at 95%.

March 15^th will be the date of four other primaries besides North Carolina. Those states are Illinois, Florida, Ohio, and Missouri.

Republican B-Matter

The Republican field is currently made up of four candidates vying for the G.O.P. nomination: Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and John Kasich. Currently Donald Trump is leading the Republican field after a strong performance on Super Tuesday, winning seven states conceding only four states to two of the other three candidates. Ted Cruz is currently polling second behind Trump, having won three of the four states not won by Trump. Cruz is followed by Rubio who had only one Super Tuesday victory in Minnesota. Kasich won no states and is expected to terminate his candidacy in the coming weeks.

Trump’s campaign is based on “telling it like it is” and referring to his Business experience as a demonstration of his economic expertise. Trump is mainly supported by undereducated lower class males who find his antics, vulgarity and his position as a political outsider attractive. In the last week, Trump has received an endorsement from New Jersey Governor Chris Christie much to the behest of the Republican Establishment.

Ted Cruz will likely be Trump’s main competitor leading to the Republican Convention after he was significantly closer to Trump’s numbers than either of the other two candidates. Recently, Cruz and Rubio have increased their efforts in knocking Trump from his top atop the podium. In debates and speeches the second and third place candidates are speaking out against Trump criticizing his lack of experience and his outrageous antics.

Republican candidates experienced record voter turnout on Super Tuesday with more than 8.5 million Republican voters voting. This is compared to the 4.7 million voters who voted in the 2012 Primaries in the same 11 states. This is a good sign for the Republicans because it shows these candidates can bring out high volumes of voters.

March 15^th will be the date of four other primaries besides North Carolina. Those states are Illinois, Florida, Ohio, and Missouri.

Voter B-matter

North Carolina voting laws have changed significantly since the 2012 election due to the passing of a controversial bill in 2013 that effects many aspects of the North Carolina voting process. The largest effect that the bill will have is on voter ID regulations. Voters will now have to present a very specific form of ID upon entering the polling location. These forms of ID include a valid N.C. Driver’s License, a U.S. Passport or a special Identification card approved by the N.C. Board of Elections.

In 2013 the President of the North Carolina chapter of the NAACP filed a lawsuit against Governor Pat McCrory against voting laws that have curtailed or, in some cases, eliminated voting practices that blacks have disproportionately used. The new voter ID laws that require a more strict and specific form of identification in order to be allowed to vote is thought by many to be an attempt by the Republican Governor to reduce turnout of minority voters and thereby skew the results of elections in favor of Republicans.

There is also a controversy regarding the zoning of voting areas. Two voting areas in particular have come under scrutiny from minority justice seekers. The two areas are zoned in such a way that minorities are grouped together thereby limiting the value of their votes. This is seen as another attempt by the Republican majority that is made up, in large part, of non-minority voters.

These controversies will potentially effect voter turnout and thereby effect the results of the elections specifically in favor of the Republican Party, which is seen by many as the perpetrators of these unjust pieces of legislature.

B-Matter for Court TV (or 2016 Primaries) // Merritt Enright

VOTING

Almost 60 years after the Civil Rights Movement, the minority vote is being suppressed by North Carolina’s new identification law, requiring voters to show official ID at the polls. The law, which became effective in January, also inhibits low income individuals, out-of-state college students and others from voting.

In addition, the law shortens the early voting period and eliminated same-day voting registration, making it difficult for working class members to reach the polls.

Although there are more registered Democrats than Republicans in North Carolina, the law is predicted to hurt voter turnout for Democratic candidates – especially Sanders. Talk about feeling the burn.

GOP15

Super Tuesday revealed Trump as the leading candidate for the GOP party. Trump won over Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Vermont, and Virginia. Ted Cruz came in a not-so-close second by winning Alaska, Oklahoma, and Texas while Miami Senator Marco Rubio trailed behind with a single win in Minnesota.

Trump is notorious for his hardline foreign policies and stance on immigration. He wants to build a wall along the Mexican boarder to keep out illegal immigrants and ban Muslims from entering the country.

Rubio has been far less straight-forward on immigration, stating that the US simply needs to “modernize legal immigration.” Cruz is more known for his nonchalance towards environmental issues, stating that “there has been no meaningful warming in years,” which could cost him a huge number of votes environmentally-concerned conservatives.

DEM15

Bernie Sanders might have won over the working class and youth, but his Super Tuesday were no match for Hillary Clinton. Clinton won over Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Sanders was left with Colorado, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Vermont.

While Sanders appeal towards young and working class voters has boosted his campaign, the enthusiasm didn’t help him in much in the polls. The strenuous work hours of low income individuals and academic schedules of student voters greatly affected Sanders’ voter turnout. With a higher turnout from black Southerners, Clinton emerged as the Democratic leader of Super Tuesday.

B Matter-Annabel Love

Voter ID B Matter:

The photo ID requirement was set to go in effect for 2016 under a larger elections bill passed by the GOP-controlled state legislature in 2013. The new voter ID law in North Carolina says voters will need to show acceptable photo ID to vote in person at the polls.

Voters who are unable to obtain an acceptable photo ID due to a reasonable impediment may still vote a provisional ballot at the polls.

Examples of reasonable impediment include but are not limited to the lack of proper documents, family obligations, transportation problems, work schedule, illness or disability, among other reasonable impediments faced by the voter.

The ID provision along with other voting restrictions were challenged by civil rights groups in a federal court in Winston-Salem.

Those opposed to voter ID laws say low-income voters, seniors, students and those with disabilities can be disenfranchised by these policies, even if free IDs are provided, given the cost of taking time off work to go to the DMV or the challenges of tracking down missing birth certificates.

The state defends its law as necessary to prevent voter fraud and keep public confidence in the electoral process.

Democratic B Matter:

The Democratic race’s two front-runner candidates are Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Clinton was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2001 and later became the 67^th U.S. secretary of state in 2009, serving until 2013.

Sanders started his political career as the mayor of Burlington Vermont in the early 80s and has served 16 years in the House of Representatives making him America’s longest-serving independent politician in Congress.

In the past primaries, Clinton has won in Iowa, Nevada, and South Carolina. On the other hand, Sanders has won New Hampshire.

After Super Tuesday, Clinton won Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia and although Massachusetts was tight Clinton prevailed there for her 7^th win. The other 4 states were taken by Bernie Sanders, as he won the caucus states of Colorado and Minnesota as well as Oklahoma and his home state of Vermont.

Republican B Matter:

For the Republican nominee, it is a three-person race between Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio.

Trump is best known for being a businessman and real estate mogul. Cruz worked as an attorney and served as an advisor on the 20000 presidential campaign of George W. Bush. In 2012 Cruz won election to the U.S. Senate in Texas. Rubio won a Florida seat in the U.S. Senate and is running as a Republican for presidency.

In the past primaries, Trump has won New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada with Cruz winning in Iowa.

Donald Trump strengthened his status as Republican frontrunner on Super Tuesday, winning 7 of the night’s eleven contests.

Trump swept the Southeastern states of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and Tennessee, as well as New England (Massachusetts and Vermont) and Virginia. Ted Cruz won his home state of Texas, neighboring Oklahoma and Alaska. Marco Rubio got his first victory of the campaign, winning the Minnesota caucus.

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B Matter // Rachel Hirsch

DEM15

Democrats casted their votes on March 15th in five different states. These include Florida, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio, which is the biggest voting day since “Super Tuesday.”

Hillary Clinton won big over Bernie Sanders a couple weeks ago on Super Tuesday. Clinton won seven of the eleven states and Sanders won four.

Sanders has done well with the votes of the younger generation; whereas, Clinton has done well with African-Americans. Bernie focused a lot of his campaign around students and Clinton is known for her work with President Obama.

GOP15

Republicans casted their votes on March 15th in Florida, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, the Northern Mariana Islands and Ohio.

Donald Trump won big over his two main competitors, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio when Republicans casted their votes on “Super Tuesday.”

Trump won seven out of the eleven states, doing well with conservatives because of his take on immigration. Cruz won three and Rubio only won one of the eleven states. Cruz and Rubio have been targeting Trump throughout the entire race.

VOTERS15

Democrats and Republicans in Winston-Salem casted their votes on Tuesday, March 15th for the North Carolina Democratic and Republican primaries.

There is a new voter ID law that requires all voters to show their government ID before they can cast their vote. This was the first vote that North Carolina has participated in where the law has been enforced.

This new voter law did not fare well with the NAACP. They claim that making a law where voters have to show their government ID is a form of discrimination. They went on to file a lawsuit against the state for targeting African Americans and limiting their chance to vote.

B Matter – Todd

As candidates claim more delegates it is becoming more clear who the front runners for the Republican and Democratic nomination are.

In the democratic race Hilary Clinton is heavily favored to win the nomination.

Hilary Clinton won the South Carolina primary by relying on the minority vote.

Bernie Sanders gets a lot of his support from the youth vote.

On Super Tuesday, Hilary Clinton won seven out of the eleven states that were up for grabs.

Hilary Clinton has a total of 1,052 delegates. Bernie Sanders has 427 delegates. A candidate needs a total of 2,383 delegates to win the democratic nomination.

Donald Trump won South Carolina for the Republican race.

On Super Tuesday, Donald Trump won the majority of the states, and solidified his spot in first place.

Donald Trump won seven out of the eleven states that voted. That left him with a total of 319 delegates. Ted Cruz came in second place winning three states, one of which included his home state, Texas. Marco Rubio only won Minnesota. John Kasich and Ben Carson did not win any states.

After Super Tuesday, Donald Trump has a total of 319 delegates. A candidate needs 1,237 delegates to win the nomination. Ted Cruz is in second with 226 delegates. Marco Rubio has 110, Kasich has 25, and Ben Carson has 8.

More Republicans came out to the polls to vote than Democrats on Super Tuesday.

In 2013, North Carolina passed a law that required a government issued id at the voting polls. This law aims to prevent non US citizens from voting. The new law hurts Democratic party because a lot of low income individuals do not have any form of government ID, and those individuals would typically vote democratically.

After Super Tuesday 6 out of 10 Republicans feel like they were betrayed by the Republican party.

B Matter – Brandon Liu

DEM15

Hillary Clinton is a strong candidate among minority and female voters. In South Carolina, the black voters that Obama won in 2008, voted Hillary over Sanders 6 to 1. The results from Super Tuesday confirmed Hillary’s popularity among black voters in southern states.

Self-described democratic socialist, Bernie Sanders continued to remind voters that the race is determined by delegates.

After Super Tuesday, Bernie Sanders who is popular among youths made a greater effort to appeal to black voters, starting in Michigan.

Voter turnout for both parties during the primaries was record setting. The Democratic party received 250,000 votes, significantly less than the Republican party which received 285,000 votes.

GOP15

Trump led the Super Tuesday primaries with more delegate counts than Cruz and Rubio combined.

The GOP faces internal conflict after Thursday, when previous Republican presidential nominees Mitt Romney attacked Trump, receiving endorsement from previous GOP presidential nominee John McCain, and support from many others.

Exit polls in Virginia during Tuesday’s primary showed Republicans voted satisfied with their candidate while Democrats voted out of dissatisfaction towards the opposing candidate.

VOTERS15

North Carolina’s recently passed voter ID law makes voting for minorities and students to vote. Only two out of 35 million votes were referred in cases of voter fraud between 2000 and 2014, leading critiques to believe the law was implemented to strengthen the Republican vote.

Early voting takes place between March 3 and March 12. Voters can go to any open polling location during early voting but must go to their assigned precint on March 15.

More than 600 people showed up on the first day of early voting in Forsyth County.

B-Matter//Karlee Spirit

As the 2016 Presidential election continues, the front-runners, controversies, and voters opinions are quickly beginning to emerge and surface.

Previous primaries and caucuses have resulted in the clear distinction of Hillary Clinton leading the Democratic Party and Donald Trump in the lead for the Republican Party.

Even though the Republican Party is headed by Trump, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz are still on the rise and trying to break the consistency of Trump’s victories. While despite Clinton’s strength with minority populations, Bernie Sanders is taking the votes of the youth population.

The South Carolina primaries held last week brought numerical statistics to support claims of leading candidates, following numerous polls and increasing amounts of voter turnouts.

Clinton collected 73 percent of the votes and left Sanders with 26 percent out of a near 367,000 ballots casts, according to the New York Times. Sanders decided to forgo competing in South Carolina to better his campaigning in the Midwest.

According to the New York Times, Trump received 32.5 percent of the Republican votes in South Carolina. Trump, Cruz, and Rubio all compiled for more than 750,000 votes.

In terms of voter turnout, the Republican Party had an increasingly more amount of casted ballots than the Democratic Party, according to the Post and Courier.

Beginning March 15th, the North Carolina primaries will begin. Registered voters in North Carolina are compiled of 17 percent of the 2.1 million actively registered Democrats. While 11 percent of the state’s 1.7 million are actively registered Republican voters, according to the Carolina Demography.

As of 2013, there has been new voter law provisions. Here’s what the law said: voters have to show a photo identification in order for them to cast their vote. Voters have the option of showing a North Carolina issued license, a current passport, a veteran’s ID card, a US military ID card, or a tribal ID card.

BMatter – Meg

DEM15

Bernie Sanders has won the vote of young people due to his focus on millennial interests like student debt and income inequality—though their achievability has often been questioned.

Hillary Clinton is popular amongst African-Americans due to her familiarity, her work with President Obama, and her involvement in legal aid. On Super Tuesday, she took home 7 states while Sanders only took 4.

GOP15

As of now, Trump is in the lead with Cruz and Rubio struggling to break the streak. However, the GOP is eager to stop his momentum due to his extremist views, citing him as uninformed and dangerous in the LA Times.

Trump has been popular amongst conservatives due to his stance on immigration that plays off current anger and his candid, though often controversial, speech. He emerged from Super Tuesday having won 7 of 11 states.

Rubio won 1 state and Cruz won 3 states. Their focus now mostly involves trying to slow down Trump’s lead.

On March 15, North Carolina will be joining Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, and Florida in the primaries.

VOTERS15

In 2013, North Carolina passed a law requiring a government issued ID to be shown at the polls, shortening the early voting period, ending pre-registration, and eliminating same-day registration.

There has been widespread confusion as to what counts as a valid ID at the polls, as well as valid excuses for not having an ID that still allows someone the chance to vote.

Examples of valid IDs include an NC driver’s license or permit, US passport, Veteran ID, Military ID, and certain tribal IDs. Reasonable excuses include lack of documentation, family obligations, transportation issues, work schedule, or disability.

Recently, the NAACP filed a court case to revoke this voter ID law due to it targeting minorities and limiting their ability to vote.

In 2008, voter turnout was 40.38%. In 2012, voter turn out had dropped to 34.65%.