NEWS NORTH CAROLINA VOTER EDUCATION PROJECT 336'A E. PETTIGREW ST. DURHAM, Cl . C.27701 OCTOBER, 1968 VOL 1 NO. 1 Black Vote Stronger Than Ever BLOC COULD DECIDE NEXT GOVERNOR Black people of North Carolina have the power this year to decide who will be the next governor of the state. Opinion polls show that the two candidates for governor—Republican Jim Gardner and Democrat Bob Scott—are now running fairly even. This means that either one could win the election if he gets the organized support of black voters. Up to this point, both candidates have ignored black voters, and have campaigned for the state's 1,579,000 white votes. According to the polls, these white voters are fairly evenly 5pl.it over their choice 'between Scott and Gardner. There are now more than 303,000 black citizens registered to vote in North Carolina—more than ever before in history. Even more black voters will register between now and Election Day, November 5. If Black people decide to vote in an organized bloc, as in most past elections, then the candidate who gets that support will be elected the next governor of CRAWFORD AND FRY RUNNING North Carolina. FOR HOUSE ' rl .C 'a If white Democrats in Guilford and Forsyth County since neither candidate has said anything yet to bene­ remain loyal to their Party's ticket this fall, they are fit or interest the Black people, or the poor whites of expected to help elect the first two black members the state. to serve in North Carolina's Legislature in modern The Black bloc has traditionally voted Democratic times. in recent times, but the Democratic candidate this On the other hand, if many white Democrats in year (Scott) has abandoned his Party's principles to those counties put racism before party loyalty in the appeal to conservative and racist white voters. election, both black candidates could lose to Republi­ „ At, the same time, the Republican Party of North can opponents. Carolina has nominated one of their most conser­ The two black candidates are Rev. William R. vative candidates of recent history (Gardner), who Crawford of Winston-Salem, a minister who has al­ even rejected one offer of black support. ready won -historic. political victories in that city; That offer came from a group of Black leaders in and Henry Fry of Greensboro, an attorney and vete­ Eastern North Carolina, headed by Golden Frinks, ran civic leader. 'field secretary for the Southern Christian Leadership Rev. Crawford won Forsyth County's Democratic Conference. They endorsed Gardner in protest against nomination to the State House of Representatives in a Scott and the Democratic Party. very close race earlier this year, Following several Another group of Black leaders from across the charges and challenges from Rev. Crawford's white to study the candidates. They opponent, investigations were conducted by both the may decide to join Frinks in recommending that County and State Board of Elections. Both boards Black voters support Gardner, in protest against Scott. then declared Rev. Crawford the winner by the mar­ On the other hand, they may support the Demo­ gin of seven votes. cratic candidate, or, because of the negative stands of Attorney Fry won an easier race in Guilford Coun­ both candidates, they may suggest that each Black ty, also against white opposition, to become one of voter must make an individual choice. (Continued on p. 2) Crawford and Fry North Carolina Voter Education Project (Continued from p. 1) Acting Chairman_______________ Rev. A . I . Dunlap that district’s six Democratic nominees for the State 7)iTector______________________ John "W. Edwards House. Research Director_______________ William H. Tcwe The outcome of both men’s races will depend on the possibility of racism among white Democratic V. E. P. NEWS is the official publication cf the voters. Registered Democrats outnumber registered North Carolina Voter Education Project. It is avail­ Republicans in both counties by more than three to able without cost through a mailing list distribution, one. If these Democrats remain loyal to their Party’s to which names may be added upon request. Direct ticket, they are expected to elect both Rev. Crawford such request to North Carolina Voter Education Pro­ and Attorney Fry. ject, P. O. Box 701, Durham, N. C. 27701. White racism, however, has been evident in similar elections in the past. Both Fry and Rev. Crawford have been nominated in Democratic primaries in the WHAT IS “N. C. VEP”? past, but they have lost to white Republican opponents By JOHN EDWARDS who received the support of large numbers of white Democrats. In a democracy, political power belongs, to those Of all the political rasces involving black candidates citizens who fully exercise their privileges of voting. in North Carolina this year, these two in Guilford If a group of citizens can organize their voting power, County and Forsyth County are of special impor­ they can often elect public officials who are inter­ tance. Although these offices are chosen on a local ested in their problems, and who will serve their level, state legislators act on matters which affect needs. the entire state. This practice works not only for rich and middle­ These particular races are also important because class citizens, but also for poor and disadvantaged of the state’s history. North Carolina and South Caro­ people—if they register and vote. lina are now the only two Southern states remaining But in our state of North Carolina, a large per­ without a single black representative in their state centage of the poor and disadvantaged citizens are legislatures. not even registered to vote. Time after time, . liberal candidates have lost elections in North Carolina be­ cause they could not get enough votes from the very people they wanted to help. At this time, just a little over half the eligible Voter Education Material i , ,1-, o rm tt r- registered to vote. Illustrated Booklets In fact, North Carolina is next to the bottom among S he’o a in the percentage of Black voting How To Conduct A Registration Campaign age population that is registered to vote. You Too Can Register To Vote These people, and poor whites like them, are dis­ Know Your Voting Rights ' . n o' all d S i“1 1 Know Your North Carolina Government also politically. And that is why the North Carolina Know Your Government — The County Com­ Voter Education Project (N. C. VEP) was organized missioners early last year by a group of leaders from all over Know Your Government — The Local School the state. Board The N. C. VEP has three major purposes: You Too Can Get Help (Various programs run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture) 1. To increase voter registration among the poor and disadvantaged citizens of the state. Other Material 2. To increase political participation among North Carolina’s poor and disadvantaged citizens at all Voter Registration Statistics for North Carolina levels. Single Shot Voting 3. To inform these citizens of their rights and re­ Numbered Legislative Seat Law sponsibilities concerning voting and political Counting Votes and Determining Results of activities. Elections The staff of the N. C. VEP works mainly through Duties of Precinct Captains and Important Points existing local organizations to achieve these goals. To Watch For At Precinct Registration Place Staff members provide these organizations with infor­ You may obtain copies of the material listed mation and technical assistant in the areas of voter above by writing to N. C. VEP. registration and voter education. In Congressional districts where such organizations do not exist or have become inactive, the N. C. VEP helps develop such an agency or to re-activate an old one. The N. C. VEP staff then coordinates activities lishes booklets and other educational materials for among these groups around the state, and assists in these programs and for general distribution. local registration or education programs when needed. In addition, N. C. VEP assists local organizations N. C VEP sponsors leadership training and citizen­ in preparing proposals for funds to support their own ship education conferences and* workshops, and pub- programs. FALL REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED The North Carolina Voter Education Project's Fall days, October 5, 12, 19, and 26. These books will also Registration Campaign, the broadest effort of its type be open on week days from October 5-26 at registrars’ in the state's history, is expected to reach its peak homes or at their place of work. during the middle three weeks of October. The other 23 counties in the state have a full-time Numerous local and state organizations are join­ registration system. But in these counties, a person­ ing together in th :s> ea , 1 o the can usually only register at the county courthouse. number of North Carolina’s eligible citizens 'who are This often makes it very difficult for people to reg­ registered to vote -especially among poor and disad­ ister if they live a long distance from the courthouse. vantaged groups In these 23 counties, the registration books are now The timing of the Fall Registration Campaign is open. But in order to vote in the next election, a impc because 77 of North Carolina’s 100 coun­ citizen must register by October 14 (at least 21 days ties have only a part-time registration system. In before the election on November 5). these counties the books are open for only a few days N. C. VEP hopes to reach, into all of the state’s during an election year. 100 counties with its Fall Registration Campaign. For the coming election on November 5, registra­ Most of these efforts will be conducted on a local tion books in these counties will be open on three level by organizations within each county.