The director of a conservative political group is blaming administrative errors for mistakes in voter registration forms the organization mailed in recent weeks. Donald Bryson is North Carolina's director of Americans for Prosperity Foundation, which mailed the forms. He said in a statement the forms had "minor administrative errors" and old information.
The N.C. State Board of Elections has received hundreds of complaints about the forms, which had conflicting or incorrect information about deadlines and where to send forms. One complaint said the form was addressed to the resident's cat, while a woman said another form was sent to her dead daughter, who would be just 4 years old.
Voter registration continues through Oct. 10 in North Carolina. Mecklenburg county voters can get up to date information at MECKBOE.org.
JUDGES WORRY OVER END TO PUBLIC CAMPAIGN FINANCING
The ballot this fall will include state appeals court judges. Most judicial candidates in North Carolina don’t like the idea of raising large amounts of campaign money. They're worried about the public's perception that their decisions could be influenced by who gives them money. Since the state’s public financing program began in 2004, nearly all Supreme Court and Court of Appeals hopefuls qualified for public financing. So what about this election? The legislature repealed the program last year. Now this fall's candidates who once relied on public financing are concerned about having to spend more time raising money. Associate Justice Bob Hunter said his campaign has been a lot about "dialing for dollars" and it will be hard to get the attention of voters above the din of the expensive U.S. Senate race.
IN GOP RESPONSE, TILLIS OFFERS HIS PARTY AS SOLUTION
U.S. Senate candidate Thom Tillis gave the Republican response to President Barack Obama’s weekly address Saturday. The president talked about American leadership in the world. Tillis, currently North Carolina’s state house speaker, told a national audience the economy will thrive again and the US reputation abroad will improve if voters elect Republicans in November. Tillis talked about his working-class upbringing and work career that led him to a mid-life college degree and job as an IBM executive. He says electing a GOP Senate majority this fall also would help lawmakers repeal and replace the president's health care law and rein in the national debt. Tillis is challenging Democratic US Senator Kay Hagan in the November 4th election.
CHARLOTTE FESTIVAL OT FEATURE 100-WORD FILMS
How many words does it take to tell a story online? How about 100? That’s the concept behind a film festival coming to Charlotte this fall. Next Friday, Oct. 3, is the deadline for filmmakers to submit their short videos to the 100 Words Film Festival. Judges will pick the best films for screening at the festival in November. Filmmaker Scott Galloway of Susie Films in Charlotte said he’s found that you can tell a story within the small word limit. And he notes that his kids are used to short format in all the videos they watch online. You can find out more about the competition at 100WordsFilmFestival.com
FRIDAY WRECK KILLS 3
Three Charlotteans in their 30s died Friday in a three-car wreck on I-77 in South Carolina south of Charlotte that also injured four people. State troopers said the wreck happened when the driver of a Honda Pilot tried to merge, sideswiping a Honda Accord. The Pilot’s driver lost control and ran into the back of a bus. Killed were 38-year-old Tei Paw, 33-year-old Khai Hne and 33-year-old Khai Tio. Officials said all were in the Pilot car, and all were pronounced dead at the scene. Three other people in the same car were hurt. The Accord's driver also was injured.
HAZING RULED OUT IN FRATERNITY DEATH AT CLEMSON
The national office of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity said Saturday an investigation has found no evidence linking hazing to the death of a Clemson University student who fell from a bridge. On Wednesday, Oconee County deputies also said they found no evidence linking the death of 19-year-old Tucker Hipps to hazing. Authorities say Hipps was running with fellow Sigma Phi Epsilon members before dawn Monday when he fell behind. Fraternity members reported him missing to university police when he wasn't at breakfast. His body was found that evening under a bridge. The fraternity has suspended the Clemson chapter.
