Editor’s Note: The following article was originally posted on Davidson Local and has been reposted here with the author’s permission.
Once upon a time, in the year 2024, excitement and anticipation filled the air as the annual election day approached. People crossed party lines peacefully, eager to cast their ballots for their preferred candidates. Despite knowing their chosen candidate wasn’t guaranteed to win, they were enthusiastic that their voice would be heard.
Among them was a spirited woman determined to vote early. In the weeks leading up to this day, she diligently reviewed the candidates’ platforms, engaged in discussions about pressing issues, and even offered others rides to vote, just as her mother had taught her.
She recalled the childhood race to the door on election day. Although it was not consistently recognized as a civic holiday, she remembered her mother—a single parent of two—marching her daughters to the nearest polling place despite her illness that prevented her from driving. Her steadfast determination meant she never missed an opportunity to vote. Like a superhero without a cape, she stood tall and confident as she moved to the polling place, radiating strength and purpose with each step.
As time passed, her mother’s health deteriorated, but her resolve to cast a ballot in person never wavered, nor did her firm belief in the importance of this civic duty. She instilled this value in her children, a belief that no disease or illness could ever take away that voice. In those moments, looking up at her mother, the little girl promised herself that she would remain engaged in civic life, advocate for meaningful change, and inspire others to carry the torch of democracy.
That was my fairy-tale voting story. I have believed in the importance of one’s voting since I was young.
After learning that my name appeared on a list of approximately 60,000 challenged votes in North Carolina, I couldn’t help but think about the impact this would have on future voter turnout. Almost 500 of those votes came from my fellow residents of Davidson County. Our options now in the North Carolina Supreme Court’s hands include having our ballots tossed, having them counted, or participating in a special election.
As I reflect on countless voters who have braved the rain, those with disabilities navigating lines with canes, and parents holding impatient little hands to cast their ballots, my heart aches. This latest threat to undermine votes affects people across all political parties; individuals from various affiliations appear on this questionable “challenge” list.
The creation of this list remains shrouded in ambiguity, with details that seem intentionally obscured. I write today from the heart of North Carolina, with an unease that I refuse to let go unheard. If history repeats itself, we may only be at the beginning of a significant battle for voting rights. This isn’t the first time the power of North Carolina votes has been called into question. We’ve witnessed similar problems while living in gerrymandered districts, among other tactics designed to undermine the integrity of the electoral process. My concern is that if permitted, it will open the door for more manipulation and deceit.
Upon learning that I’d made Griffin’s “hit list,” I called numbers, wrote letters, and spent hours drafting stories. Like many affected voters, I turned to my county elections officials for guidance—anything to help make this right. I’ve reached out for guidance, and one official suggested that it would be wise for all voters—challenged and unchallenged—to renew their voter registration forms. “It couldn’t hurt,” he said.
What hurts is the damaged confidence in the electoral process and the dismissive responses from political operatives. My vote, which my family treated like a superpower, is being undermined with dishonorable intentions. Putting aside fairy tales and comic books, this challenged voter list poses a partisan nightmare. I am writing this opinion piece because it’s time for a wake-up call regarding the threats to our voices.
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