Daily Deacon

Forsyth County Voter Turnout

By Emily Eisert, David Blue, Bennett Brownlow, Anna Conte and Annabel Love

Forsyth County had strong early voting turnout during this year’s North Carolina presidential primary election with few problems from voter identification issues detected before noon today, according to the county’s new elections director.

Final voter turnout numbers were not available by deadline. Results from only 70 of the 101 precincts in Forsyth County were recorded.

Many people paid special attention to the North Carolina presidential primary election because of the state’s new voter ID law. The new law, which went into effect in January 2016, requires voters to have a government-issued photo ID. The new law also cut the early voting period from 17 days to 10 days and eliminated same-day registration and a program to preregister high school students.

“There has been some confusion today as to what is acceptable for identification, but no major issues,” said Tim Tsuji, the new director of the Forsyth County Board of Elections.

Some polling stations ran out of ballots earlier today and needed new ones delivered. One polling station, at Pfafftown Christian, was still open 40 minutes after it was supposed to close at 7:30 p.m. with over 100 voters waiting in line. The number of provisional ballots given for issues regarding voter ID was not known by deadline.

The voter ID law’s shortened early voting period was projected to have an effect on voter turnout. Many argued that the new law promotes racial discrimination, as racial minorities more often use same-day registration and early voting and are less likely to have the proper photo ID. The law was contested in court earlier this year. As no ruling was reached, the primary followed the new law.

During this election’s new 10-day early voting period, there were 22,960 voters in Forsyth County out of 240,000 registered voters in the county and 6.5 million in the state. In the 2012 primary, there were 15,157 early voters over the previous 17-day period.

“We definitely had an increase in this year’s primary. Although, it is like comparing apples to oranges. Each primary had a different time, different amount of days open, different number of locations for early voting,” said Tsuji.

Tsuji also added that of the 56 provisional ballots during early voting this election, only 18 were given to individuals lacking acceptable ID. The majority of provisional ballots were issued to those who wanted to vote for a candidate outside of their registered party and did not change their affiliation by the February 19 deadline.

The new voter ID law was also predicted to have an effect on students – high school students lost preregistration programs and out-of-state college students now have to provide a North Carolina photo ID or a valid passport.

Wake Forest University students were provided a free shuttle service from campus to the polls among other programs to promote voting. The shuttle service, co-sponsored by College Democrats and College Republicans ran twice an hour from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today.

“Wake the Vote,” a civic learning and democratic engagement course at Wake Forest, held a conference today on the new voter ID law, which is currently being sued by the NAACP of North Carolina and the Department of Justice, and its possible effects were discussed.

Russell Gross, Wake Forest junior, who voted yesterday at the Arts Council Theater precinct, said he was not affected by the new law because he is a North Carolina native with a North Carolina driver’s license. However, he expressed his opposition to the law, saying it is “making it more difficult for people to vote and that democracy and voting is what America is all about.”

McKenzie Zeigler, a Wake Forest Senior from California, voted in North Carolina because it is a swing state and experienced some push back from the new voter ID law. According to Zeigler, the law is oppressive and an infringement on voters’ rights.

Clinton takes North Carolina

By Chris Caswell, Annabel Love, Bennett Brownlow, Brandon Liu, Karlee Spirit, Merritt Enright

Hillary Clinton is one step closer to the Democratic nomination as she beat opponent Bernie Sanders in North Carolina, Florida and Ohio early on tonight with incomplete results. Shortly before 8:30 p.m., CNN projected Clinton to win North Carolina’s delegates.

With 81 percent of precincts reporting, Clinton had 54.7 percent, and Sanders had 40.7 percent of the vote.

“Because of all of you and our supporters across the country, our campaign has earned more votes than any other candidate – Democrat or Republican,” Clinton said in a victory speech at 9 p.m.

Looking towards the general election, Clinton made several jabs at Republican front-runner, Donald Trump.

Though Sanders votes came up short, he still mobilized considerable support with about 40 percent of the Democratic vote.

“Peoples’ hearts are with Sanders, but some figured that he can’t win so they will side with Hillary,” said Allan Louden, chair of the Communication Department.

Sanders’ campaign was highly visible outside The Arts Council Theatre, a Winston-Salem polling place.

“As a first-year law school student, I already have about $100,000 of debt that is going to weigh down on me for at least, what, 10 years?” said Sanders volunteer Andrew Jacobson. “Bernie is just catching a bad rap, because he’s slightly more progressive than the norm.”

Sanders has done well capturing the youth vote. Many around Wake Forest’s campus were disappointed in his loss.

“Bernie has a way of grabbing attention — I was super apathetic and desensitized to politics before hearing Bernie’s speeches,” said freshman Grace Kim. “I feel like Bernie really addressed many of my concerns, and he is super inspiring.”

About fifteen people – ten students and five adults – watched the results in the Pro Humanitate house.

Many were not surprised to see Clinton win.

“If she wasn’t, something would be very wrong,” said junior Ryan Wolfe, a John Kasich supporter.

A group of both Republicans and Democrats also watched the results of the election in Kirby Hall.

Junior Connor Rubin, from Michigan, was excited to see North Carolina’s Democratic results. He raised his arms and the air and cheered when CNN called the election for Clinton.

“I think she’s pragmatic. I think she’s tough, and I think she has the right ideas to move the country forward,” said Rubin. “It’s important to have more than just pie-in-the-sky ideas — it’s important to have an actual actionable plan.”

Clinton’s campaign has hit close to home for Demon Deacons. Former President Bill Clinton visited Wake Forest to campaign for his wife on Sunday.

“I’ve always been pretty “Hillary,” but after hearing Bill speak the other day and explain that she was basically going to continue Bill and Obama’s agendas, I was sold,” said Wake Forest junior and Democratic voter Khaki Wade.

The event, sponsored by the university’s “Wake the Vote” program, was open to the public, however, most of the event’s attendees were college-aged.

About 200-300 people attended the event, but many more were turned away, because the venue filled up quickly. The line started at the main entrance of the School of Law and wrapped around the building, almost to the University Blvd. entrance to campus.

“Would it be a good thing to have the first woman president?” asked Bill Clinton. “Yes, it would. But the real reason you ought to be for her is, especially those of you who are younger, who have more tomorrows than yesterdays, is that she is the single best change-maker I have ever had anything to do with.”

Florida, Illinois, Missouri and Ohio also took to the polls Tuesday. Hillary Clinton went into today’s primary with 768 delegates, leading Sanders by 214 (excluding superdelegates).

The feasibility of Sanders’ proposals remain a central issue in the race; Clinton has often asserted that they are simply not affordable or sustainable. Sanders has often attacked Clinton for following President Obama too closely in hers.

A number of Sanders supporters watched the results come in from Hoot’s Roller Bar & Beer Co. Campaign volunteer, Danny Timpona bought other supporters a round of tequila shots after North Carolina’s Democratic primary was called.

“Even if we don’t get North Carolina, I will still vote,” said Sanders volunteer Amelia Spurlock from Winston-Salem. “I will not lay down and die. I will not be one of those people who doesn’t vote if their candidate doesn’t get elected.”

Student Democrat Campaigns for Cruz With “Wake the Vote”

By Tidd Gilbert

Nick Boney, a member of the Wake the Vote Campaign, was assigned to campaign for Senator Ted Cruz, despite the fact he personally “dislikes” him.

Students involved in Wake the Vote traveled as a cohort to the Iowa caucuses, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and North Carolina primaries. Each student was assigned to volunteer on the primary campaign of a presidential candidate. Boney campaigned for Ted Cruz at the Iowa caucuses.

“At first I expected to hate working for the candidates I didn’t support. I had no idea how I could phone-bank alongside Cruz volunteers all day and convince supporters to vote for the Senator.”

While campaigning for Cruz, Boney found satisfaction that Cruz supporters took the time to learn about the candidate. Despite his initial hesitations, Boney said that after some lengthy conversations with Cruz supporters he realized how “fervently they cared about their candidate.”

“My opinions on Ted Cruz and his policies didn’t change, but it was heartening to see that there are people willing to be so involved and invested in the political process at its most basic level, regardless of which candidate they support.” Boney said.

Boney also campaigned for Senator Bernie Sanders in New Hampshire and Marco Rubio in South Carolina. Both of whom he does not support.

According to Boney, he found the strong involvement in the political process consistent among Rubio and Sanders supporters.

Boney at first supported Democratic candidate Martin O’Malley. After he dropped out of the race, he supported Hilary Clinton.

Trump Wins North Carolina Primary

by Katie Dickens, Anabel Love, Todd Gilbert, Rachel Hirsch, Karlee Spirit, Brandon Liu

Donald Trump won the North Carolina primary Tuesday night according to CNN projections, beating second-place Ted Cruz.

According to incomplete returns, The New York businessman won 40.5% of the vote, followed by Ted Cruz’s 36.5% and John Kasich’s 12.5%, with 81% of precinct’s reporting.

At the Arts Council Theatre polling place on Coliseum Drive, Tim Scronce, a resident of Winston-Salem, voted for Trump on his way home from work. “There is no better candidate than Trump,” Scronce said. “We have had enough of political correctness and America needs something new. We also need a business man that will know how to improve our economy.”

After Tuesday’s vote was counted, Trump has 619 of the 1,237 needed for the nomination, followed by Cruz’s 394, Rubio’s 167 and Kasich’s 136. Florida awarded all its 99 delegates to Trump and Ohio awarded its 66 delegates to Kasich, while North Carolina awarded its 72 delegates proportionally.

At a viewing party organized by Wake the Vote, Ryan Wolfe, a junior politics and international affairs major from New Jersey, said he supports John Kasich but believes that if anybody is going to put up a fight against Trump that it will be Cruz.

Upon the projection of Trump’s victory in North Carolina, Wolfe shook his head in frustration. “I think it’s sad because he’s a politician that pits races against each other and plays on the fears and social prejudices of different groups,” Wolfe said. “I think a lot of his ideas that are extremely radical won’t work if he gets elected because they will not get through Congress or the Senate.”

Rubio, who came in fourth place with 81% of precincts reporting in North Carolina, suspended his bid for the presidency Tuesday night after losing his home state to Trump, telling his supporters there was nothing else they could have done. At 7:55 pm, after polls had closed at 7 pm and votes were being counted, Trump declared his victory in Florida over Marco Rubio. Shortly after 8 pm, CNN called the win for Trump, sealing Rubio’s fate.

Before dropping out of the race, Rubio had support from Wake Forest students. Lindsay Graham, a junior from Houston, Texas, is a registered Republican who missed the deadline for out of state absentee voting applications but still supports Rubio.

“He is a moderate conservative and not as bullheaded as Cruz or Trump,” Graham said before the primary results were announced. “He is the most promising of the new generation of Republican candidates.”

Allan Louden, chair of the communication department at Wake Forest, said that after past victories Trump controlled the next day’s narrative, but that was not the case tonight. “He was reasonable and had a moment to be gracious to allow people to be assured and Republicans to come back to him,” Louden said. “He took controversy out of his speech for tonight.”

Today’s primary carries more weight than in past years because it is held in March instead of May, when the nominees from both parties are usually established. North Carolina is a swing state, and expected to be a top priority in the general election.

Tillman Drew, an active Republican and sophomore from Birmingham, Alabama, chose to vote in North Carolina where he felt his vote had more influence.

“I am supporting John Kasich in the primaries after the other candidates have forsaken their original attitudes or platforms while he has remained steadfast in his policy and emphasis on healing in the country between peoples,” Drew said. “Obviously his weakness has been rallying the majority of Republicans behind his cause and relating to younger voters.”

Trump’s media presence has been extensive, with supporters claiming he is the only one who will be able to take on Clinton or Sanders. He has been criticized for the violent behavior of his supporters displayed at many of his rallies. He has recently been criticized for previously saying that he would pay the legal fees of his supporters who fight protesters.

He announced his bid for presidency on June 16, calling for a wall between the US and Mexico that Mexico would have to finance, and has garnered unprecedented public support. He has since made similarly controversial claims, such as denying Muslim immigration to the US and sidestepping disavowing white supremacy groups that support him.

During his speech after his projected wins in North Carolina and Florida, Trump promised American companies would make their goods in the United Sates if he wins the general election. He said American companies like Apple should not be allowed to manufacture outside the the United States, asserting “We should not allow it to happen.”

On March 1st, the first Super Tuesday, Trump called himself a “unifier” after recording wins in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia, Massachusetts, Vermont and Arkansas. Ted Cruz won his home state of Texas, as well as Oklahoma and Alaska. Marco Rubio won one state, coming out on top of the Minnesota caucus.

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