As North Carolina’s urban research university, UNC Charlotte is committed to fostering a spirit of civic engagement on campus.
“Civic engagement and education go hand-in-hand,” said Joan Lorden, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “UNC Charlotte encourages faculty, staff and students to take full advantage of opportunities to learn about and get involved in the issues, discussions and democratic processes that shape a productive society.”
All eligible members of the UNC Charlotte community are encouraged to exercise their right to vote. The updated Democracy Experience website includes current voter registration information, as well as links to TurboVote and the Board of Elections for Mecklenburg County and North Carolina. The website also serves as an information hub for civic engagement around the 2014 election cycle and beyond.
UNC Charlotte’s partnership with TurboVote is an important aspect of student-based voter registration and mobilization efforts. TurboVote is a nonprofit agency that runs a software program to help students register to vote, update their voter registration and request an absentee ballot. Turbovote will send participants all necessary voter registration forms along with a stamped envelope. The software also sends electronic reminders to participants regarding important local and federal elections dates and locations.
TurboVote makes the registration process quick and easy, but deadlines are approaching rapidly. Friday, Sept. 26, is the last day that users can sign up for TurboVote and get voter registration forms mailed with a pre-addressed pre-stamped envelope in time to get registered by the deadlines. The last day to register to vote on election day in North Carolina is Friday, Oct. 10.