For Durham resident and certified nursing assistant Jonia Weaver, the upcoming U.S. election brings back heartfelt memories of giving birth to her son, Issac, on Election Day in 2000.
Since that Nov. 3, two decades ago, Weaver and her son have shared many Election Day moments together, and a trip to Washington, D.C., to see the inauguration of former President Barack Obama.
“Voting together has become a family affair,” she said. “And, given the current racial climate, I reiterate to him the importance and value of fulfilling his civic duty.”
Weaver was just one of more than 1,000 voters who cast their ballots for the 2020 U.S. presidential election on Oct. 15, the first day of the early-voting period, at North Carolina Central University’s Albert L. Turner Law Building polling site.
According to Marie Bush, NCCU’s polling site coordinator for the past six years, the first-day turnout was great.
“I’ve never seen the NCCU polling site location so busy, and although the lines were long, voters remained patient,” she said.
Early voters included freshman political science major Malaijia Tillman, who was excited to cast her ballot as a first-time voter.
“Voting is important effort that evokes change in our communities,” Tillman said. “I am pleased do my part that will hopefully change the trajectory of our nation.”
The NCCU site is one of 14 early voting sites in Durham County open through Saturday, Oct. 31. Polling sites will be open for early voting from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.
All polling sites will close at 3 p.m. on the last day of early voting, Oct. 31.
The general election will take place on Nov. 3, 2020.
