Science advocate and television star Bill Nye is set to make an appearance in Chapel Hill on Saturday as part of the North Carolina Democratic Party’s campaign.
An alert sent to supporters on Friday invited people to see the host of “Bill Nye the Science Guy” speak alongside Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson at the Morehead Planetarium on East Franklin Street at 12 p.m. on Saturday. The goal of the event, according to the Democratic Party, is to encourage people to vote early — including at the Chapel of the Cross early voting location next door to the planetarium.
Early voting in North Carolina began on Thursday, with many people locally and across the state already taking advantage of the period, which allows voters to register or edit their registration while choosing their voting location within their county of residence.
Saturday will not be the first time Nye has campaigned in the Triangle this fall for the Democratic Party, largely advocating for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. The celebrity visited the Durham headquarters for the part in September and spent time pointing to the vice president’s climate policy, saying her acknowledgement of climate change and proposals for address it is a key reason for his support.
Known for his inclusive ways of discussing science and signature bowtie, Nye gained popularity in the 1990s through his syndicated television show. In addition to a variety of other TV appearances and short-lived shows, the Washington D.C. native is known for his extensive advocacy of scientific research and policy. He’s been politically active in the past, endorsing both Democratic Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
Nye is just the latest national figure to appear in North Carolina as part of a big push by the state and national Democratic campaign to gain votes and urge voters to cast ballots this fall. On Thursday, vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz rallied alongside former President Bill Clinton at Durham’s Lyon Park and visited a Democratic field office on East Chapel Hill Street. Clinton is set to host a bus tour around eastern North Carolina over the weekend to try and drum up support before attending a “block party” campaign event in Raleigh on Sunday.
Parking for Saturday’s event will be available outside the planetarium or the town-owned parking garages along East Franklin Street, according to event organizers.
Featured photo via Team Ilhan on Facebook.
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