When you were in high school, you sat far in the back of your U.S. history class. Half asleep, you flipped absentmindedly through your textbook, the pages a blur of battles with funny titles and pompous men donning white wigs. The names and the dates seemed so far away; the ways of the dead world, unfamiliar; the pertinence of each detailed situation, seemingly nonexistent.
But today, we will find ourselves in that history textbook. Today, we will elect the 45th president of the United States of America — and North Carolina is one of the states that will matter most in that decision.
So, for the last time before the country makes its choice, from all of us here at The Daily Tar Heel, I'll say it again: Vote. Go out and cast your ballot. You and your voice and your vote mean everything. Don't let it go to waste.
— Tiana
QUICK HITS
- Early voting numbers in both Orange County and North Carolina have risen since the 2012 election, with around 60,000 early voters in the county and more than three million early votes cast in the state.
- Vine is about to kick the bucket, but our political spirit ain’t dead yet. Here are 10 Vines that sum up the wild ride that has been this election cycle.
- Today is a good stress-eating day for two reasons: 1) Election Day, and 2) because 10 percent of proceeds at local restaurants will help relieve hunger in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, thanks to the Inter-Faith Council.
- The Carrboro Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance giving officials the authority to ask to inspect the premises of vacant properties, mostly so they could do something about that creepy old building near Weaver Street.
IN FEELIN’ A LITTLE SUS
Voters across the state and the political spectrum are feeling a little suspicious today. With the political stakes so high, many are on the lookout for tampering at the polls. Republicans are concerned that widespread voter fraud could decide the election; Democrats are worried that intimidation targeting black voters could cause the vote to swing the other way. Meanwhile, I’m mostly worried my cable will randomly decide to cut out when the results are finally in.
IN BIG BROTHER WATCHING YOU
The U.S. government will monitor polls in 28 states on Election Day. Government agents will be sent to make sure that certain areas are complying with federal voting rights laws, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday. Although the state and federal governments do have a “heightened focus on North Carolina” given its turbulent political atmosphere this cycle, the agents’ presence should not affect voting procedures.
IN ONE LAST CHANCE
Just a day before the election, Donald Trump visited North Carolina to ask the state for its vote one more time. “I’m not a politician, I can say proudly — my only special interest is you,” the Republican nominee told the crowd at the N.C. State fairgrounds on Monday. Trump addressed his goals as president, which included ending government corruption.
IN NORTH CAROLINA BEING THE CAPTAIN NOW
As of Monday night, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are tied at 44 percent each in North Carolina. In other words, we are one of the most important swing states in this year’s election. “Trump needs North Carolina to get to 270 electoral votes,” said Ferrel Guillory, professor at the UNC School of Media and Journalism. “If Clinton can deprive him of those votes, she’s on her way to victory.”
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