Students in the JCM 300 “Reporting for the Public Good” class covered election day 2004. Below is the compilation of their reports written for the Burlington Times-News….
Election 2004:
Slices of life from Alamance County
The sun rose above this American democracy at 6:42 a.m. Cresting the horizon, the hopeful rays of a November sun would carry the dreams of two men and the hopes of hundreds of millions through the day.
The people, in fact we the people, flocked to the polls. Votes cast, it was back to life as abnormal, as, for one vital day, the American public carried out its most sacred secular duty, the election of its governing body.
Alamance County Republican Headquarters buzzing
Orange, yellow and red-white-and-blue signs spill out of back rooms, are propped up beside coffee makers, even lean on the wall next to the large stuffed-animal elephant that sits in the reception area of the Alamance County Republican Party Headquarters. But one hue is adored above all. They love red states here.
Tuesday those signs are gone, placed at polling places and replaced by volunteers. Dennis Riddell and his three sons, Nathan, Adam and Dustin, 8, 9 and 13 respectively, are manning the office on the afternoon of the election. Riddell voted earlier, waiting in lines lengthy enough to indicate what could be a record voter turnout.
“Today we took our hundred-year-old neighbor to vote,” Riddell says. “She didn’t want to do the curbside, she wanted to go inside. She was able to get up under her own steam and get in there. . . she had to wait two hours. She’s a faithful woman.”
Riddell is a former chairman of the Republican Party in Alamance County. He says this election could be one of the most important he’s voted in.
“Insofar as a clear direction the nation can go, it’s a lot like 1980 when it was Reagan vs. Carter, and Reagan won,” Riddell says. “It changed the whole national and international scene for a generation and I think this election has that capability.”
Riddell says he’s never voted for a Democratic Party presidential candidate, yet he’s never found himself feeling the hatred for the opposite party that seems to be dominating this election.
“I have voted for Democrats locally,” he says. “No party has a lock on character. The best people should serve, but I certainly find myself agreeing with 99 percent of the Republican candidates I see coming across.” – Andrew High
Biscuitville patrons express concerns
At Biscuitville, the “I Voted” sticker is the must-have fashion accessory of the day. Amidst the biscuits, coffee and eggs, late-morning patrons of the Biscuitville franchise located at 1700 S. Church St. in Burlington can be heard discussing their views of Election Day.
From 10-year-old Marcus Dove (who has the day off from school) to James Sikes, a 1956 graduate of Elon University and a registered voter of 50 years, the nervous restaurant chatter reflects the opinion that this election will be close.
“I’m a little bit anxious [to hear the results],” Sikes says. “I would be very disappointed if Kerry happened to win.”
Across the room, Ray Tatum offers the opposite view.
“I feel like we need a change in the overall master picture,” Tatum says. “Bush has gotten us into something we can’t get out of.”
Concerns range from health care to the war in Iraq to gay marriage, but the current state of the economy is the key issue for many customers.
“I worry about the [economy] for our children and our grandchildren,” says Jean Long as she enjoys her breakfast with friends Pat Quals and Mutt Hayes.
Long, Quals and Hayes all expressed distaste with the morals in this country.
“I’m concerned with the attitude of our country,” Quals says. “We’re so bitter. It all started with the last election.”
Displaying his “I Voted” sticker on his shirt, Dean Vaughn offered a more positive outlook on the outcome of the election while reading the newspaper and eating breakfast.
“Hopefully, what appears to be a really divided nation will come together to support whoever is elected,” Vaughn says. “[Right now], everything is divided down party lines.” – Ashley Feibish
First-time poller assists first-time voters
The Fairchild Community Center is an East Burlington election precinct. Parents walk into the community center hand in hand with their children, drop them off, and position themselves in line to vote.
At 8 a.m. election day, the center is not too crowded – it is only about a 50-minute wait in line. The center is quiet, with the only noises being children’s laughter and cartoons on television.
Many of those voters were greeted by the friendly voice of Angelia Faigon, “The voting line is to the right,” she politely says.
Faigon was born and raised in Burlington, and has voted since the 1972 presidential election. This is her first time working at the election polls.
“This year’s election is very important,” Faigon says. “I wanted to be able to help people exercise their right (to vote).”
Faigon looks comfortable and at ease. She’s chewing on Lance orange crackers, sipping out of a Robby Gordon NASCAR mug, and glancing at her book, “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire.” She seems prepared for the long day ahead of her.
“We’ve been here since 5:45 a.m., but the polls officially opened at 6:40 a.m.,” Faigon says. “We will be here until 7:30 this evening.”
Faigon says her poll work experience so far has been a pleasant one. She’s excited about this year’s election, just as the rest of the country is.
“I was told that one person was here since 4:30 this morning waiting to vote,” Faigon says.
Faigon says she plans on working the election polls again in 2008, and hopes for the same enthusiasm as this election has presented so far. – Rasmi Gamble
The Elite Men’s Breakfast Club is absent from Nita’s
This Election Day, Nita’s Restaurant morning rush seems to have slowed to a crawl. The Elite Men’s Breakfast Club is not here because its members are out voting or staying home with their children, and fewer GB breakfast specials are sold than usual.
The Elite Men’s Breakfast Club, says Nita Harward, restaurant owner and cook, is a group of men who grab a bite to eat together most mornings and carry on. “Ronald Lowery is the club president because they all pick on him all the time. We decided to make him president,” Harward says. The rest of the members include Gary Brant, Keith Bowland, Eugene Coleman and Carl Walker. “They are a trip,” says Harward. “They argue that we play favorites, and they just like to sit and argue about who gets the most food and the best plates. One morning we sent Ronald’s food out on a Styrofoam plate.” Unfortunately the men, along with many other customers, are not there to carry on. “This is the slowest day we have had in three weeks,” she says.
Barry Harward, Nita’s son, points to a plaque listing the men’s names in the empty corner where the club usually sits. “Mom had the plaque made for them,” he explains. “Ron is with his kids and a lot of the others are voting,” says Harward. The club even created a new menu item. The GB special, named after Garry Brant, is a combination of scrambled eggs, cheese, sausage or bacon and other various items served with grits or home fries. “Garry kinda ordered it, and they all decided to try it,” says Harward. Now it seems to have become an honorary item on the menu.
Following the conclusion of voting and the children’s return to school, Nita’s Restaurant morning rush is sure to return. The Elite Men’s Breakfast Club will return, and GB breakfast special sales will return to normal. – Laura Somerville
ACC experiences election excitement
Classes were scheduled as usual at Alamance Community College on Election Day, the air buzzing with election anticipation.
Vicky Dodson and Rudy Graves sit at a table absorbed in conversation before classes begin. Graves first voted when he was 18, back in 1972; the first year 18-year-olds were permitted to vote. He has voted in every election year since. However, this year is Dodson’s first time at the polls.
Graves stuffs a wad of chewing tobacco in his cheek and sips his coffee as he talks politics. “I don’t like to argue about political issues,” he says, “but once I get cranked up, I could keep you here until lunch.”
He says he watched all three televised presidential debates and he says Kerry out-argued Bush. But he still isn’t sure who will win at the polls. “With all the people that have registered to vote, the election might be real close,” says Graves.
Dodson, on the other hand, chose not to watch any of the televised political arguments. “I don’t think the candidates speak their minds,” she says, adding that the questions were prearranged so the candidates had some idea of what their answers would be before the nation watched the heated debate.
Dodson says she voted at her church in the morning before she came to her morning classes. Graves explains he voted early because of his traveling career. “Since I’m not always around on Election Day, I got in the habit of voting early,” he says.
“I’m ready for it to be over,” says Graves with a sigh of relief. “If what they say about each other is true, I don’t need either one of them.” – Bettina Johnson
Democratic Headquarters sees a lot of action
Lunchtime at the Democratic Headquarters in Graham means putting down the phones that have been ringing off the hook since 8 a.m. and passing around brown bag lunches. Although the volunteers haven’t taken a break all day, the room is still buzzing with excitement and predictions on the outcome of the election.
Joe Wheeler, chair of the Alamance Democratic Party, spends his time making sure everything was running smoothly. “We have (workers at) several tables calling people in the precincts and asking if they need a ride to the polls,” Wheeler explains, pointing around the room. “We also have volunteers canvassing the precincts. They go out and knock on doors to see if people have voted or if they need a ride.” Voters can call in and request a ride to the polls if they are unable to get there on their own. “People call in, and we get directions to their house and pick them up,” says Wheeler. “We know that there are 300 to 400 people that would not vote if they didn’t have a ride.”
B. Holt was one of the volunteers making phone calls to local residents. Holt, a former North Carolina state legislator and self-proclaimed “cradle Democrat” has a lot to say about the election. B, as she likes to be called, was a state legislator from 1974 to 1994, and has never voted for any candidate who wasn’t a Democrat.
“I called a fireman and he told me he was voting for Bush.” Holt says. “I asked him if he was on a fire truck and was going in the wrong direction, would he turn around and go back and fight the fire? I say that the fire truck of the country is going the wrong way, but it won’t turn around. He says he didn’t see it that way.” Holt adds that he managed to redeem himself. “At least he was voting for Erskine Bowles.” – Carrie Morgan
Folks in downtown Burlington reflect on the election
Tucked back into a small corner of downtown Burlington is the The Book Exchange, a quaint bookshop complete with couches and coffee. Here, Election Day is like any other day of the week; it’s a day to enjoy while exchanging a friendly word or two with customers.
Perhaps it is the educational and calming atmosphere in which she works, or perhaps it is the knowledge that comes from raising children – whichever the cause, Renee Bowes has a lot to say about the upcoming election.
“I don’t think this election is any more or less important than any other election,” says Bowles. “It’s important because it’s our country. We need to have a say.”
She says the one thing different about this presidential election in comparison to previous years is the number of college students who are voting. “I think it will make a difference,” says Bowles. “College students really are getting out there.”
Jay Loden, an Elon University student who could be found wandering right around the corner from The Book Exchange, was on his way to vote this morning. “This is my first time voting,” says Loden. “I feel like I have to get out there and vote for somebody. It’s my responsibility to at least vote.”
Loden and Bowles are only two of many who say getting out there and voting is the right thing to do. Whatever the reason for your ballot, everyone who has voted has taken the time to shape America’s future. – Cheryl Williams
Elon’s Boone Station precinct sees active participants
It’s 9 a.m. at the Town of Elon Fire Department. On a day that has been preceded with months of advertising, debating, and mudslinging, candidates and their supporters are out in full force hoping to convince undecided voters to swing their way.
David Barber, the Republican candidate in the race for Alamance County Register of Deeds is out this morning with a handful of bright orange stickers bearing his name. He realizes that by the time most people make it to the polls they have made up their minds, but he knows his presence can make a difference.
“They may have made up their minds on the presidential race,” he says, “but they may not have made up their mind on all of the races.”
The Alamance County native, and local attorney says that even when voters have made up their mind not to cast their ballot in your favor they are still friendly and courteous.
Candidates aren’t the only ones out this morning, where the candidates can’t be themselves; supporters are out with signs, stickers, and voices. They work the lines talking to voters like old friends, tossing in their candidate’s message along the way.
Priscilla Starling is out to support Cindy Brady. She says her presence at the polls does make a difference.
“I had a lady that says ‘I’ve already made up, I’m voting Democrat.’ And I say, ‘She’s a democrat,’ and they say, ‘Oh really?”
While candidates and supports may never know if they made a difference, it won’t be long before they know who the people have elected. – David Douglas
Election is the talk of talk radio on WBAG
It’s business as usual on WBAG’s Talk Line, as hosts Biff Huff and Harry Myers debate the issues of importance to the Triad audience. With the political campaigns coming to a close, phone lines are lighting up with participants who wish to offer their political opinions and those using the open forum as a chance to campaign.
Hugh Webster, candidate for the North Carolina State Senate, calls in and debates with the hosts about the process of tallying results for the media, as well as general-help woes. “When you’re a Republican, it’s hard to get help, because all of your friends are working,” joked Webster.
But in between the placed calls by some candidates (each political candidate is allowed three calls of up to five minutes) there is some debate over the airwaves. The Electoral College, local races and the youth votes are among the topics discussed.
“The key is bringing up something that will trigger a response,” says Huff, who notes that he and Myers have more than 80 years of radio experience combined. “We’ll probably discuss the elections tomorrow, and by Friday we’ll be looking for something else to talk about.”
Talk Line is on the air from 8:30 to 10:30 Monday through Friday on 1150AM. – Jacob Potter
Broad Street Lunch offers a side of politics
The atmosphere at Broad Street Lunch in downtown Burlington is that of a busy family diner dealing with its usual lunchtime crowd, but today there is a heightened buzz in the air. It is Election Day, and our new president will be unveiled after months of waiting, watching and debating.
Will it be George Bush or John Kerry? People in the crowd at the diner don’t mind sharing their opinions over some southern BBQ. Johnny Luck, a retired part-time jeweler from Burlington, even goes as far as to run to his car and bring back a “top ten reasons I voted for Kerry” list. His number one reason is that “Bush let 400 tons of explosives escape from Iraq because of a lack of security, or not enough troops to cover Iraq entirely.” “I think Kerry will do a good job. I might be wrong, but you never know”, says Luck.
A bright blue-eyed student, Shannon Rudd, is not yet old enough to vote, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a strong opinion on the race. “I am voting for George Bush because he thinks all criminals belong in jail, and Kerry doesn’t believe that many of these criminals should go to jail,” says Rudd.
Darryl Faircloth, a cook at Broad Street Lunch, takes a break from the heat of the grill to enjoy a cold glass of water and explain why he agrees that Bush is the one to vote for. “I am not real happy with the mess in Iraq, but someone had to do it,” says Faircloth. “This election is not anymore important then any other. Whoever gets elected needs to work on the economy and creating more jobs.”
Every customer agrees that while they wouldn’t be happy if the other party nominee won, when the American people choose someone they will be content that they did their part to vote in this election. They will still come here, enjoy a sandwich, and hope that the new or re-elected president will do all he has promised. – Jacquelyn Anderson
Action starts early at Mebane’s South Melville precinct
When Nancy Pentecost and others arrived this morning at 6 a.m. to vote at the Mebane Arts and Community Center, there were already people in line at the doors. The precinct didn’t open for another 30 minutes. Pentecost was one of 16 election assistants helping out at the South Melville precinct. The election assistants spend about 13 hours at their assigned precinct on Election Day carrying out their civic duty.
Ted Zeller, chief judge of the South Melville precinct says, “it was a full house until about 10 a.m. or 10:30 a.m.” But by lunchtime though, Pentecost says, “(Its) amazing its this quiet.” Zeller assures it would pick up as people got off work. “If it’s like history, people will be lined up at 7:30 p.m.,” says Zeller. At that time, “only those in line can (still) vote.” This is much different from the first presidential election Pentecost worked. “Four years ago, there were lines from the time the doors opened ’til the time the doors closed,” she says.
The reason for the change is early voting. People had the option of voting before Election Day and not having to deal with the crowds. “There are about 4,200 registered voters in this precinct,” says Zeller. Mark Whitaker, chairman of the Democratic Party for the precinct, estimates that a quarter of them had already voted by way of the early voting. This leaves less of a crowd during Election Day and makes things a little easier for those who were working it. “Early voting has taking a load off,” says Zeller. Pentecost and others agree that after the busy morning, things are good. – Courtney Linn
Haw River election officials amazed at crowds
This Haw River voting precinct has seen a very productive day at the polls, one that could in fact be a record turnout for this precinct. Jean Miles, chief judge of polling for the Haw River precinct at the Haw River Christian Church, explains that the number of people who voted early in the morning reached an astonishing number.
“We’ve had longer lines than we’ve ever had, we’ve had a lot of curbside voting, and a lot of interest period, from all areas, young, old, everybody,” she says “It’s the largest turnout I’ve witnessed.”
Miles is a veteran as an election official in this area. Although she cannot recall how long she has been doing this she can attest to holding this position for a period of 8 years or greater. She explains that the whole process as a whole has been much more efficient than she’s ever seen. “We have more machines than we’ve ever had,” she says “the machines are nice, much better than it’s ever been.”
Sarah Cobb, the Democratic judge of polling and another longtime volunteer at the Haw River polls, agrees with Miles. “It was tremendous early this morning,” says Cobb. “We’ve had a great start. When we came at 5:30 they were lining up, this is more than I’ve ever seen,” she says.
Cobb and Riley are excited about the number of people who have voted and are both confident that the action will pick up again later in the afternoon after voters are done working. – Alec Campbell
Getting a close shave on election day
The Downtown Barber Shop in Burlington “serves both Republicans and Democrats on Election Day,” says barber Otis Smith. With that business tactic working to his full advantage, the shop is filled with customers waiting to be groomed after waking up early to vote for this year’s election.
On a day when people are expected to vote in record numbers, every seat is filled with Bush supporters. One of the barbers, Ronald G. Bass, is a retired military veteran of 27 years and puts his trust in just one candidate. “I feel Bush is the best person for the job,” he says, “I know what happened in the past with (President Bill) Clinton and I don’t trust what Kerry can do with our country.”
Bass says this year’s election will be profoundly different than the last election, in 2000. “The biggest difference between this year and 2000’s election is the issues,” he says, “Before we were talking about the mistakes of the Clinton administration but now we have war, and terrorism, and many more complicated issues.”
While some customers in the shop today discuss the election, some are more interested in thinking of their past experiences and lamenting over whether or not they had made the right decisions.
“I was 21 years old when I first voted,” Edgar Howerton, the manager of a local steel plant. “It was right after (President John F.) Kennedy was killed, and my first voting experience was for Lyndon B. Johnson. I probably wouldn’t vote for him again if I had the chance, but I can say that I feel confident with my vote in this year’s election.”
Charles Hartley, a retired veteran with the Navy, says vets are quite involved in this year’s presidential decision.
“This election is far more important than the last,” Hartley says. “Whether you want to believe it or not, we will have a lot more veterans when this is over. Faith. Everything else will stem from that.” – R.J. Fenn