Editorial: Message from rallies -- march to the polls

Tuesday, March 27, 2018 -- The message from the outpouring at Saturday's "March for Our Lives" rallies across North Carolina and the nation was more than taking to the streets in protest. It was about action and understanding what kind of action works. It was about registering to vote and marching to the polling place.

Posted 9:00 a.m. Mar 27, 2018 — Updated 9:00 a.m. Mar 27, 2018

CBC Editorial: Tuesday, March 27, 2018; Editorial # 8282

The following is the opinion of Capitol Broadcasting Company

These kids get it. The message from the outpouring at Saturday’s “March for Our Lives” rallies across North Carolina and the nation was more than taking to the streets in protest. It was more than demanding safe schools; more than a call for reasonable control of military assault-style weapons or keeping guns out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them.

It was about action and understanding what kind of action works. It was about registering to vote and marching to the polling place.

In the United States (even North Carolina) if young people – or any people – want change there is no better or more effective way than voting. Tobiah Steele, an East Carolina University sophomore and an organizer of the gathering at the Pitt County Courthouse in Greenville, said it as well as anyone. “We have the ability to change the world,” she said. “The first thing we have to do it get out and vote.”

Jane Rose and Christina Tschida, voting registrars, were on hand at the rally as young people – and some not so young -- signed up to vote in the May primary and November election.

About 4,800 people across the nation registered to vote at Saturday rallies, according to Aaron Ghitelman, spokesman for HeadCount, a nonpartisan organization that registers young voters at concerts and other youth gatherings. It partnered with the organizers of “March for Our Lives” to assist with voter registration efforts.

Getting young people signed up to vote is no small issue in North Carolina. Five years ago the leadership in the state legislature wanted to make it more difficult for young people to register to vote. They tried to change state law and eliminated preregistration. It took a federal court order to restore pre-registration for young people who would be eligible to vote on Election Day. Now, schools throughout the state conduct voter registration drives.

Young people can also register to vote at the local Division of Motor Vehicle office – as they endure their drivers license tests – a ritual of youthful passage.

Already there are indications of heightened voter interest. In the first three months of the year, total voter registration in the state increased by 62,202 – that’s nearly a 120 percent increase over the same period four years ago. About 80 percent have bypassed the Democrats or Republicans to register as unaffiliated voters.

North Carolina voters have unprecedented choices at the polling place this year. For the first time in decades, there is a challenger for all but one seat in the General Assembly.

The choices aren’t mere matters of personality or political party. The current leaders of the legislature picked increasing corporate tax breaks over improving funding for public schools. Teacher and school administrator pay lags. There aren’t enough school nurses and guidance counselors. Taxpayers are spending millions of dollars on private school vouchers but there’s no transparency or accountability to determine if the money is being used to help students learn. Those are just a few of the public school issues. Do voters want to stay that course or demand a new direction?

Voting is the best way to be heard.

There are plenty of opportunities to register and vote to participate in the May 8 primary or the Nov. 6 election. You don’t have to wait for an event. You can find out all you need to know right here. Don’t delay. Do it today.

See you at the polls.

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