Early Voting Kicks Off in Chapel Hill

Early voting is now underway for the 2016 primary election.

Members of UNC community and local leaders gathered Thursday to kick off early voting at the Chapel of the Cross right next door to UNC’s campus.

Briana Humes was there to vote for the first time. She was glad she was able to cast her ballot so close to campus.

“This is like way more convenient like we probably would have probably get a ride there and that would have been a whole situation because we don’t have cars or anything,” said Humes.

As someone with a few years until graduation Humes thought it was important to get involved in the local elections.

“Earlier she was saying that this is going to be where are going to be for the next four years since we’re freshman so I think it makes a really big difference,” said Humes.

Taylor Moss agrees with that idea. She is a recent graduate from UNC she is working to educate student voters

“We do explain to students that it’s important to vote where you go to school because you live there for four years so you should be affecting the policy because the policy is affecting you,” said Moss.

With all the excitement surrounding the presidential races, Moss is hoping to inform students about the races on the ballot.

“All of students have an idea about who they are voting for, for president but all else they are either unaware that it’s is on the ballot or haven’t done the research or thought through who they want to vote for, for those other positions,” said Moss.

Early voting near campus could make a big difference for students because the date of the actual primary, March 15, is during spring break.

Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger spoke about the importance of young people voting and what kind of values to vote for.

“It’s really important to vote and it’s important for your age group to show up and vote. I hope you vote for people who are more inclined to be more inclusive of everyone and including all groups of people,” said Hemminger.

Early voting will take place at Chapel of Cross and other locations around Orange County until March 12th.