Events - Month View

The first of two forums put on by our partners at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church will take place on Oct. 1. It will feature candidates for offices in the Council of State: Governor, Lt. Gov., Atty. General, State Auditor, Comm. of Insurance, Comm. of Labor, Supt. of Pubic Instruction and State Treasurer.

CBS will host a debate between Republican Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio and Democratic Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota. The debate will be moderated by "CBS Evening News" anchor and managing editor Norah O‘Donnell and "Face the Nation" moderator and CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan. (The 9pm time indicated is not yet official.)

The 2025 Civics 101 program planning is getting underway. Come hear how you can contribute to a successful year. CIVICS 101 provides comprehensive and concise insight into the structures of governance in Charlotte-Mecklenburg County. The program consists of six evening sessions, one evening per week, covering the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections, Mecklenburg County Government, Charlotte City Council, CMS Board of Education, Local Media, and the Mecklenburg County Courts. The participant outcomes include: *understanding how local government works; *identifying which government departments to contact when you need help; *knowing where to direct your energy to inspire change. In addition to supporting the in-person sessions, there are several workstreams in which you can engage and provide leadership. Registration – establish and maintain the process for how to identify interested residents and maintain communications throughout the lifecycle of the program. Budget – maintain and track expenses related to the program. Planning – partner with government officials (both elected and hired) to define the agenda and participants for each session. Provide feedback on materials. Typically one League member per session supports this work. Promotion – identify and execute advertising and marketing activities. Logistics – on site program support; all team members contribute as available.

It‘s Get Out The Vote season! Join us to write GOTV postcards and help raise voter turnout in Mecklenburg County. Have a little fun while you‘re at it, catching up with your League colleagues while enjoying some some tasty bits and drinks. Bring a friend - the more, the merrier! Food, drink and postcards will be provided. Please bring postcard stamps or a donation to buy the stamps. Register now! Or contact membership@goleaguego.org for more information.

The second of two forums put on by our partners at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church will take place on Oct. 8. It will feature candidates for NC Supreme Court; NC Court of Appeals; NC House Districts 98, 99, 103, 104, and 105; and Mecklenburg County Commission Districts 1, 2, 5, and 6.

Join the LWVNC on Zoom for an important look at the state of public education in North Carolina. Open to the public. Registration is required. Our guest speaker is Alexandra Forter Sirota, Director of the NC Budget & Tax Center. This event will feature an insightful discussion on the critical role public education plays in shaping North Carolina’s economy. We’ll explore how investments in our public schools directly influence state and local economic growth, workforce development, and community well-being. Our speaker will delve into the long-term economic benefits of a strong public education system and the challenges it faces. We are honored to welcome Alexandra Forter Sirota from NC Budget & Tax Center, who will share her expert insights into the financial impact and future implications of education funding on North Carolina’s economy. Perfect for educators, policymakers, business leaders, and community members who are invested in the future of our state. Guest Speaker: Alexandra Forter Sirota is the Director of the NC Budget & Tax Center, where she leads efforts to advance economic opportunity and shared prosperity in our state. Alexandra works to connect the dots across policy areas and identify opportunities for building the base of support for policies that will deliver better outcomes for all North Carolinians. Before joining the Budget & Tax Center, Alexandra worked at Action for Children NC (now NC Child) on economic security policy and at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in the community affairs department. Alexandra has experience at community-based and international non-governmental organizations in the areas of community development, asset-building, and family economic security. Alexandra received a joint Master‘s degree in International Relations and Public Policy from the University of Chicago and studied anthropology at Haverford College. When she’s not working, you will find Alexandra making prints and traveling with family.

PBS‘s "Carolina Impact: Seeking Unity" series will feature a panel of voters (Republican and Democrat) and LWVCM Co-president Suzanne Elsberry. The conversation tackles "Disagreeing with Dignity".

Local elected and appointed officials will share how the Charlotte Greenway system was, and continues to be developed. They will highlight how advocacy groups and voters have influenced the outcomes. This event is especially for new and young voters, though all are welcome. Adult beverages, snacks, information on Early Voting and what a sample South End ballot looks like will round out the evening.

The deadline for registering to vote is Oct. 11, 2024 at 5pm.* (*Voters may same-day register during early voting Oct. 17 thru Nov. 2, but not on Election Day.)

Early Voting in North Carolina will be available to voters from Oct. 17 thru Nov. 2, 2024. Mecklenburg county has arranged for 32 sites (vt.ncsbe.gov/EVSite/) for early voting. Voters may visit any of these sites to vote early, but must vote at their assigned precinct if they wait until Election Day of Nov. 5. Voters may also same-day register during early voting, but not on Election Day.

Join members of both the Environment + Sustainability Team and the BKDs for a talk about plants native to North Carolina. Daniel Jakobovits will be our speaker.

Join the LWVCM and Queens University for a one night only performance of Makin‘ Cake. Makin‘ Cake is part history lesson, part social science revelation, performed by Wisconsin Poet Laureate Dasha Kelly Hamilton. Makin Cake is a multi-media stage production where baking becomes an exploration of equity, class and race.

The last day for voters to request an Absentee by Mail Ballot is on Oct. 29 at 5 PM. The ballot then must be received by the Board of Elections no later than Nov. 5, 2024 at 7:30 PM