Hello! I’m Tracy Leatherberry the new state coordinator from North Carolina. Rock the Vote recently brought on five people to be the on-the-ground representatives for Rock the Vote. I’m in North Carolina, but my co-workers are stationed in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Colorado. You’re going to be hearing from them this week, but first a little about me and if you’re interested in helping or volunteering with Rock the Vote on Tuesday, click this link.
I have lived in North Carolina all my life. For 24 years I-40 and I-85 have been my passageways through this amazing and unique state. Born and raised in Greensboro North Carolina, I developed a profound appreciation for sense of community, volunteerism, education and activism. Following an engaging adolescence in the piedmont I made my move to the triangle to attend college at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. With a great combination of industry and education, the Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill area has quickly become the destination for many people, nationwide, to pursue their education and career.
For the past six years I have lived in this thriving area, surrounded by technology, culture and students from all walks of life. I’ve loved every minute of seeing North Carolina’s growth and progress in this new millennium and look forward to seeing what else North Carolina has in store.
Predicting North Carolina’s future, especially politically, will be quite interesting. Election night 2008 was a page for the history books. Not only did the US elect its first African American President, but North Carolina bucked conventional wisdom, no longer being thought of as a red state or blue state but instead, a swing state. For the first time in over 30 years the Tar Heel state wasn’t as predictable as the rest of the nation may have thought. There were many theories as to why there was a shift in the voting behavior of the state, one of the most fascinating being an increase in the registration and engagement of young voters. With the 2012 elections fast approaching, political scientists will be watching North Carolina closely, especially during its midterm elections this November. If, in fact, young voters were the tipping point in the 2008 election, what role will they play in 2010, in 2012? Will those voters remain engaged in the political process? If Rock the Vote in North Carolina has anything to do with it, they will. This summer and fall, Rock the Vote plans to register thousands of voters in North Carolina. Through voter registration events, concerts and campus street teams Rock the Vote will engage Millennial voters once again and make sure young voices are heard this midterm election.
Following along in years of Rock the Vote, tradition or merging pop culture with voter engagement, RTV NC will kick off its voter registration efforts this Tuesday at the Lincoln Theater with the band, Mayday Parade. If you want to be a part of this revolution come out and join us! For more information or to volunteer follow this link!
