DTH at a Glance: Vote! Vote! Vote!

If you haven’t gotten the memo yet, early voting started last Thursday. Though considering the enormous increase in the number of people in Orange County who have already cast their ballot, you should know that by now. Also because everyone and her mom has posted a selfie wearing an “I Voted!” sticker. (You should tweet those at us, by the way.)

Although many students will assure you that voting is easy and fun, it can still be a little scary for first-timers. Worry not. A few tips that will hopefully make you less nervous:

1. Count backward from 10, slowly

2. Take a friend with you for support

3. Picture the candidates in their underwear

4. Ok actually maybe not that last one

— Tiana

QUICK HITS

• The NCAA thinks UNC's response is full of crap, basically. On Tuesday, the enforcement staff rejected UNC's most recent defense against potential penalties, saying the University’s claims were “without merit.”
• SpeakOut!, a program seeking to create a safe space for survivors of sexual violence, will take place Wednesday night. The semi-annual event will feature a cappella performances, spoken word poetry and anonymous stories of sexual and interpersonal violence.
• The University accidentally aired some dirty laundry on Tuesday by mistakenly emailing out the tuition balances of more than 350 students. Embarrassing? Yes. In violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act? Technically, no.
• DTH Swerve editor Sarah Vassello is doing her best. (Trust us, she really is — ya girl brings her A-game to the office every day.) But even the best feel burned out sometimes, and when they do, this is the playlist they use to get back on top.

IN SEEKING SAFETY FOR SYRIA

UNC student Zubair Rushk has been arrested twice for owning books. After facing prison time and abuse for owning and sharing Kurdish literature with others, the UNC junior fled Syria in 2005, crossing mountains and relinquishing all possessions in search of safety. Now, over 10 years later, Rushk is a U.S. citizen attending college in Chapel Hill. But as he and the rest of the world watches as the Syrian Civil War creates one of the largest refugee crises in history, the time to decide the fate of the 500 remaining refugees seeking solace through Orange County is now at hand.

IN HAVING MORE STREET CRED THAN A POTENTIAL GOVERNOR

Popular bluegrass group Mipso got down with Roy Cooper on Tuesday. The band, well known for its song “Carolina Calling," performed at an event for Cooper in order to get everybody in that special early voting mood and celebrate those who have already gone out and voted. Jacob Sharp, Mipso’s mandolin player, made it clear that while the group didn’t necessarily associate with Cooper’s campaign, the candidate’s popularity with students made for a unique opportunity they couldn’t pass up.

IN THE UNITED STATES OF MARY JANE

Nine states are about to have a big discussion about their weed habit. I like to imagine them all saying, “But moooom, Colorado told us it was OK.” This election cycle, California, Nevada, Maine, Massachusetts and Arizona will vote on the legalization of marijuana for recreational use. Fifty-seven percent of adults support legalization, while only 37 percent think it should stay illegal, according to a survey by Pew Research Center. The hashtags #11/08 #blazeit aren’t super catchy, but we can just see how things go.

IN VOTING, VOTING, VOTING

If the clipboard-wielding “Are you registered to vote?” people didn’t nag you about it enough, then I will. Early voting will last through Nov. 5, giving you plenty of time to hit the polls. While early voting percentages have unfortunately gone down on the state level due to a lack of accessibility, Orange County saw nearly a 43 percent increase in votes cast compared to 2012. It’s like the old saying goes: Early birds catch the worm, and early voters don’t have to rush to the poll in a panicked frenzy on Nov. 8. So get out there and vote!