Sluggish traffic at polling sites

04 Nov 2008, Posted by Naureen Khan in News, election 2008, 0 Comments

filed at 3:19 p.m.

Single Voter - Maya Robinson/The Chronicle

The voting precincts in the immediate vicinity of Duke’s campus saw only a slow trickle of voters this afternoon.

After the lines of the morning rush dissipated, made up of mostly those who wanted to cast their ballots before heading off to work, it has been a relatively slow day, election workers said.

Most attributed the light traffic not to the rainy weather, but rather to the massive turnout during early voting, in which 42 percent of registered voters in the state cast their ballots. More lines are expected at the end of the day, when people stop to vote after work.

The drizzle also did not deter volunteers from standing out in the rain since the polls opened at 7:30 this morning to usher voters into the sites and answer questions about the ballot.

Mikel Harris and Harold Stilley spent the morning in front of the W.I. Patterson Recreation Center, the site for West and Central Campus residents near Duke Hospital, getting slightly soaked while they discussed Obama’s prospective presidency. Both expressed some anxiety about possible election fraud and malfunctions with the voting system.

“We don’t want to get stiffed again,” said Mikel Harris, a volunteer for B.J. Lawson, speaking of the mangled election results from 2000. “History has replayed itself from time to time, but we’re going to fight ’til the end this time.”

Stopping in at the Mary Lou

04 Nov 2008, Posted by Zachary Tracer in News, election 2008, 0 Comments

filed at 2:53 p.m.

Discussion - Zachary Tracer/The Chronicle

I stopped in at the Mary Lou Williams Center today for a brief discussion of “The Faithful Left” just after noon today. Sean Palmer, the Graduate Fellow at the center and a first year divinity student, led much of the discussion, which looked at the interplay of religion and politics in the 2008 election, and, of course, at Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama.

“We want to look at Barack not because of his Democratic stance, but because he represents this whole notion of African American political life,” Palmer said. “We’re looking at it from the perspective of the first African American candidate.”

The center is offering food and entertainment throughout the day, as Will Robinson blogged about earlier.

Though only eight people attended the 12:30 discussion, Jamie Fleece, the center’s marketing specialist, said she expects 100 students to show up to watch election returns on the center’s large-screen television.

Election ‘08: Where to watch the results

04 Nov 2008, Posted by Will Robinson in News, election 2008, 1 Comments

The North Carolina Republican Party will be watching the election results at the North Raleigh Hilton beginning at 7:30 p.m. tonight. The N.C. Dems are hosting their election watch party at the Raleigh Marriott City Center. Several candidates will be in attendance at both locations. Check tomorrow’s Chronicle for coverage of both events.

But if you are staying on campus, check out:

1. Duke Votes: The Election Party in the Sanford Institute of Public Policy – 9 p.m. – This event is sponsored by DUU, Duke Democrats, College Republicans and several other groups. They are going to have free food, free drinks, professor commentary and a tent set up outside.

2. Election Affection at the Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture – Events are scheduled throughout the day, including a 5 p.m. screening of Head of State—a presidential comedy with Chris Rock and Bernie Mac. There will also be refreshments.

UPDATE: From the Durham Pull Pen, here’s a description of Obama’s Durham celebration party:

Join us in Downtown for the biggest street party of the Century! Historic Black Wall Street (Parrish Street) and Corcoran Street will be closed off to create a four block celebration zone, including music, drum lines, marching bands and souvenirs. Watch live returns on a giant two-story tall projection screen. Stand shoulder to shoulder with your neighbors from across the City when the election is officially called on CNN via live satellite feed.

Cruise to different downtown restaurants and bars, each hosting their own election return parties. Eat, drink, roam and experience downtown as the true civic center of our community.

For more information, you can visit Durham for Barack. We searched on McCain’s official website for events located near Durham today, but none showed up. If you know of any victory parties for McCain around the Raleigh-Durham area, tell us in the comments. (This updated was filed by Alex Klein.)

UPDATE 2: As reported by Zachary Tracer, the Republican Victory Party is being held at the North Raleigh Hilton. Check back for his, and our two reporters’, continued coverage from that party.

Football players catch political fever

04 Nov 2008, Posted by Ben Cohen in News, election 2008, 1 Comments

Duke’s newfound voting spirit has extended past Main West Quadrangle all the way into Wallace Wade Stadium.

At his weekly media luncheon Tuesday, Duke head coach David Cutcliffe–who has taken to opening his press conferences with political allusions and de-briefings–said he had voted already, just two weeks after congratulating a local reporter for voting early. While several media member sported an assortment of “I voted!” stickers, there were none on the coach’s lapel.

In addition, Cutcliffe encouraged the players to register and vote today, said cornerback Chris Rwabukamba, who is a Canadian citizen and is often ribbed by his teammates for not being able to vote.

Strange sight of the day: Cutcliffe said his wife, Karen, spotted a donkey while driving to her local polling station. Could be a good sign for supporters of Sen. Barack Obama.

Tots get in on electoral action

04 Nov 2008, Posted by Naureen Khan in News, election 2008, 0 Comments

Kids Vote - Maya Robinson/The Chronicle

A demographic not usually targeted by the campaigns was nevertheless spotted getting in on the election action at the Watts Street Elementary School voting site for Precinct 2 this morning.

As part of Kids Voting USA, set up by the NC Cooperative Extension, children forced to tag along with their parents had the chance to cast their own vote.

“I’m voting for Obama because my mom voted for him,” said Lucy Kraus, 6, who was manning the site with her mom Katherine.

“And my dad,” she added as an afterthought.

While adults shuffled quietly toward the real voting booth, the Kids Voting site buzzed with activity. Kraus and her mom cheered each time a new KidVote was tallied.

And there were stickers. Lots of stickers.

But Kids Voting organizers said the program is about more than keeping kids from getting bored while their parents vote. Underage politicos have their own role to play in today’s events.

“My kindergartner is talking about the issues on the playground,” said director of Kids Voting Carolyn Kreuger. “When kids get excited about voting, they get their parents excited.”

Ryan Brown contributed to this entry.