What Are Your Voting Rights?
Triangle organizations host vital virtual discussion
as millions of NC residents prepare to vote
DURHAM, N.C. (Oct. 26, 2020) - What rights do voters have? What problems could they face at the polls? And what can they do about them?
Courtney Patterson, chairman of the Lenoir County Board of Elections, and Landon White, a civil rights attorney who has helped groups identify voter suppression tactics, will walk voters through the answers during a virtual conversation on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m.
“Many have already voted through absentee ballots and early voting, but millions across our state will vote right before and on Election Day,” said Stan Chambers Jr., Polaris (president) of the Triangle Iotas. “We want to ensure voters, especially black and brown voters, fully understand what should and shouldn’t happen when casting their votes in person.”
The free Zoom discussion - which the public can register at triangleiotas.org/time-to-build - is the final workshop in the Voter Education Series hosted by the Triangle Iotas, also known as the Alpha Epsilon Omega Alumni Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Along with the North Carolina Black Alliance, and the Beta Pi Sigma (Durham) and Theta Lambda Sigma (Cary) alumnae chapters of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., the five-part series aimed to increase voter literacy among underrepresented communities ahead of the November election. Previous sessions can be viewed at triangleiotas.org/voter-education-series.
Through the monthly series, which began in July, hundreds participated in expert-led discussions ranging from gerrymandering to the Electoral College and ways to make your vote count. The series is part of the Time to Build Initiative, a broader community effort by the Triangle Iotas launched following the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. This effort is also part of #MuchMoreThanAHashtag, a joint national initiative between Iota Phi Theta and Sigma Gamma Rho to increase local community engagement.
“From the coronavirus to demands for police reform, one of the common themes highlighted this year is the continued inequities black and brown communities face,” Chambers said. “Through our Voter Education Series, and our broader Time to Build Initiative, we hope to enhance these communities one effort at a time alongside our community partners.”
For reporters interested in covering the session, please reach out to Stan Chambers Jr. at aeo.iotaphitheta@gmail.com. You can also register for the session at triangleiotas.org/time-to-build.
CONTACT
Stan Chambers Jr.
Polaris (President)
Triangle Iotas
aeo.iotaphitheta@gmail.com
(919) 641-0469
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About the Triangle Iotas
The Alpha Epsilon Omega Alumni Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., has empowered change in the Triangle for nearly 30 years through service, leadership, collaboration, and action. This focus has resulted in multiple state and regional awards, including the Triangle Iotas being honored as the fraternity’s 2020 N.C. Alumni Chapter of the Year. Visit triangleiotas.org to learn more about the chapter.
About the North Carolina Black Alliance
The Alliance is an intergovernmental network of African American legislators, county commissioners, school board members, and municipal elected officials centered by a commitment to ambitiously address broad issues of inequality and fairness. The Alliance collaborates with strategic partners to advance the work of those organizations and to enhance intentional collaboration with black constituencies. For more information, visit ncblackalliance.org.
About the Beta Pi Sigma Chapter
The Beta Pi Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., was chartered on April 13, 1951 in Durham, N.C., and currently serves Durham and Orange counties. Our goal is to serve and advocate for the greater good nationally, regionally, and locally. We are a chapter of love, understanding, encouragement and solidarity. For more information about the chapter, visit bps1922.com.
About the Theta Lambda Sigma Chapter
The Theta Lambda Sigma chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (also referred to as the Cary Alumnae Chapter) was chartered in 1997 with a goal of bringing community service and positive representation to southern and western Wake County. In line with the sorority's motto, "Greater Service, Greater Progress", the "Blue House | Gold Market" chapter continually endeavors to provide quality service and programs to the community. The chapter's current initiatives center on community involvement, mental and physical health initiatives, and programs aimed at educating and empowering youth.