In this week's update:
- Early Voting Begins!
- Legislators Passes Hurricane Helene Relief Bill
- Non-Citizen Voting Amendment on the Ballot -VOTE AGAINST
- NASW Webinar - Electoral Activism: The Urgency is Now!
- Western NC Resources for Hurricane Recovery
- October is LGBTQ+ History Month
- Attend NASW-NC Webinar "How the Election will Impact Social Work in NC"
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Early Voting Begins!
The early voting period in NC starts on Thursday, October 17. Early voting ends on Saturday, November 2 at 3pm.
Click here to find an early voting location in your county.
If you missed the deadline to register to vote on October 11, you can still register to vote in person during the early voting period.
A photo ID will be required to vote in the 2024 election!
Acceptable forms of ID include any of the following that is unexpired, or expired for one year or less:
- North Carolina driver’s license
- State ID from the NCDMV (also called “non-operator ID”)
- Driver’s license or non-driver ID from another state, District of Columbia, or U.S. territory (only if voter registered in North Carolina within 90 days of the election)
- U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport card
- North Carolina voter photo ID card issued by a county board of elections (Get a Free Voter Photo ID here)
- College or university student ID approved by the State Board of Elections (see box below)
- State or local government or charter school employee ID approved by the State Board of Elections (see box below)
Note: A voter 65 or older may use an expired form of acceptable ID if the ID was unexpired on their 65th birthday.
For voters impacted by Hurricane Helene
The NC State Board of Elections unanimously approved measures to help Western NC voters. Click here to read more information about the upcoming election in western NC.
In response to Hurricane Helene, the NC State Board of Elections has made a website dedicated to Election Changes in Western North Carolina. NASW-NC encourages you to save this website and share it widely! http://NCSBE.gov/Helene for voters affected by the storm. #YourVoteCountsNC
Additional voting information can be found on NASW-NC’s voting page.
Legislators Pass Hurricane Helene Relief Bill
The North Carolina General Assembly reconvened on 10/9 and unanimously passed HB 149: The Disaster Recovery Act of 2024. Governor Roy Cooper signed the bill on October 10, approving $273 million to go toward state and local disaster assistance programs.
The bill includes a variety of policy changes that temporarily lift state regulations in several areas, including policies to ensure teachers still get paid while school is out and extend deadlines on things such as DMV fees and taxes.
Governor Cooper issued the following statement on Thursday: “Recovery for Western North Carolina will require unprecedented help from state and federal sources and this legislation is a strong first step. Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage but also showed the resiliency of North Carolina’s people and its communities and we must continue the bipartisan work to help them build back strong."
Legislators will return to the capitol for a one-day session on October 24th.
For more information, visit Insider for October 10, 2024 - State Affairs Pro
Non-Citizen Voting Amendment on the Ballot -VOTE AGAINST
In North Carolina, it is already illegal for non-citizens to vote in elections. Despite this fact, the state legislature is proposing an amendment to the existing law. The law currently states “Every person born in the United States and every person who has been naturalized, 18 years of age, and possessing the qualifications set out in this Article, shall be entitled to vote at any election…” The amendment will remove “Every person born in the United States and every person who has been naturalized” and replace it with “Only a citizen of the United States…” This amendment will not change the law, only the phrasing.
The presence of this amendment on the ballot furthers the false narrative that a large number of non-citizens are voting in United States elections. This narrative is having real-world consequences for thousands of eligible voters.
NASW Webinar - Electoral Activism: The Urgency is Now!
NASW and Voting is Social Work are hosting a webinar entitled Electoral Activism: The Urgency is Now! on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, from 3-4:30pm EDT.
Join in the Power of 3 Campaign to Get Out the Vote and to Strengthen Democracy! In this workshop participants will learn about the history and current activities of National Social Work Voter Mobilization Campaign (Voting is Social Work); examine the current and past relationship between the vote and US democracy, gain access to tools and acquire skills needed to engage clients, colleagues and constituents in voter registration and “get -out-the vote” activities and be prepared to increase their non-partisan civic participation and engagement.
Click here for more information!
Western NC Resources for Hurricane Recovery
The Western NC Resource Guide is a living document that is updated regularly to assist those in western NC with getting up-to-date information as well as accessing supplies and resources.
People in western NC who need reproductive healthcare can request assistance by filling out this form.
NASW-NC’s “Hurricane Helene: How to Help” webpage is regularly updated with additional information and resources.
October is LGBTQ+ History Month
LGBT History Month provides role models, builds community, and makes the civil rights statement about our extraordinary national and international contributions. Organizations such as GLAAD and Equality Forum use the month of October to spotlight various LGBTQ+ trailblazers, activists, and historical icons. Please see the following webpages to read more about LGBTQ+ history and the impact the community has had on advancing human rights.
LGBTQ History Month Spotlights: Celebrating Unsung Icons | GLAAD
Attend NASW-NC Webinar "How the Election will Impact Social Work in NC"
As the 2024 Election approaches, NASW-NC staff and volunteers will be hosting the webinar "How the Election Will Impact Social Work in North Carolina" on several dates. This webinar will give an overview of how the election will impact social work and social workers in North Carolina (including in the 2025 North Carolina Legislative Session), and explain the importance of upholding the Social Work Code of Ethics, section 6.04 (Social and Political Action) by getting out the vote!
1 hour of CE is offered for this event. NASW-NC members and all social work students can attend for free. The cost for folks who are not yet members of NASW-NC is $15. Please note that the content of this presentation will be the same each time it is given.
Register for the webinar that best fits into your schedule today!
Tuesday, October 22, 2024 webinar-hoted by NASW-NC -12pm-1pm
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 webinar-hosted by the Orange County LPU -6pm-7pm
Thank you to the members of NASW-NC for supporting the advocacy work we do. We would not be able to advocate for the social work profession or social justice issues in North Carolina without a robust and engaged NASW membership. If you are a social worker and not a member, we ask that you join NASW today. Our voice is louder with your membership.
Learn more about NASW-NC membership here.
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