The 2020 election season is underway. For the UNC Charlotte community, the 49er Democracy Experience offers a dynamic, nonpartisan platform for learning about and engaging in civic life. Launched before the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, the 49er Democracy Experience involves students in local, state and national elections through voter registration, voter education and voter mobilization. It is made up of a committee of stakeholders from across campus whose members develop the University’s strategic approach to campus-wide student voting initiatives.
Key dates related to the upcoming election: Oct. 9 is the deadline to register; early voting begins Oct. 15; and national election day is Nov. 3.
The top five things to know this election season:
TurboVote is available for voter registration assistance
In the current virtual environment, UNC Charlotte has a voter registration strategy centered on its partnership with TurboVote, a nonpartisan company that guides users through the voter registration process.
Using a UNC Charlotte email address, faculty, staff and students can sign up at uncc.turbovote.org. TurboVote guides users through the voter registration and absentee ballot request process. The platform sends users text messages and email reminders when registration or voting deadlines are approaching. Reminders are sent for elections at every level of government: local, state and federal. The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 9.
Vote early on campus at Belk Gym
UNC Charlotte will host an on-campus early voting polling location for voters registered in Mecklenburg County. Belk Gym will be open Oct. 15-31 as an early voting site and will remain open and operational whether the campus is open for in-person classes or closed and delivering classes online. During the early voting period, voters can register to vote or update their address--and vote--in one stop.
Connect with fun, upcoming events
Donut Forget to Vote:- National Voter Registration Day is Sept. 22. Be on the lookout for some delicious ways to get involved.
Zoom into Election 2020: Virtual Voter Registration Drive with Atkins Library - Sept. 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Zoom link: https://uncc.zoom.us/j/9374747050
Voter engagement resources to use
Voter Engagement single images (Google Slides and PDF)
Voter Engagement 101 Presentation (Google Slides)
Atkins Library Voter Engagement Guide
The Census has been extended
The U.S. Census, conducted every 10 years, counts every person living in the United States as mandated by the U.S. Constitution. The data collected determine the number of seats held by each state in the U.S. House of Representatives and are used to distribute billions in federal funds to local communities.
Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Census count is extended until Sept. 30. If you haven’t already been counted, complete the Census based on where you should have been living on April 1, 2020, barring location changes caused by the pandemic.
For more information about the 49er Democracy Experience or to get involved, email Tamara Johnson (tamarajohnson@uncc.edu) and follow us on Instagram at 49ers_vote.