Iconic Mary J. Blige Uses Her Voice In North Carolina
Today (Oct. 15), as early in-person voting begins in North Carolina, Biden for President released two get out the vote ads featuring Mary J. Blige. The iconic Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist calls on North Carolinians and Americans to stand up for meaningful change by voting for Vice President Biden and Senator Harris.
The series includes a North Carolina ad to mark the start of early voting in the key battleground state. Blige underscores the difficult situations that have shaped this year as a driving force behind the urgency of voting this election. There is also a national ad airing on television and radio. In-person early voting in North Carolina begins Thursday, October 15, and runs through Saturday, October 31.
“This year, our voice can and must be our votes,” Blige said. “It’s the only way we’ll get the change we’re looking for – better jobs, education, healthcare, and criminal justice reform.”
The ads show Blige encouraging Americans to make a plan to vote and utilize IWillVote.com/NC as a helpful resource with information specific to their respective areas. Today’s release is part of the campaign’s robust effort to educate and energize Black voters. Watch the ad below.
Ahead of the start of early in-person voting on Thursday, Biden for President launched new digital ads featuring Joe Biden directly appealing to North Carolinians to make a plan to vote early – and ensure friends and family do the same – by visiting IWillVote.com/NC.
“I am asking not just to vote for me for President, but to make a plan to vote. I am asking you to make a decision about how, when, and where you’re going to vote. You can vote early, by mail or in-person,” says Vice President Joe Biden in the new ad. “And then I am asking you to call five friends or family members and ask them to do the same thing…Make a plan to vote early, and do it today.” Watch ad.
The new 15-second and 30-second digital ads follow Kamala Harris’ video message to North Carolina voters about making a plan to vote early.
“We have been waiting for this moment for nearly four years: the chance to vote for a new president and a brighter future for our country. And you have a few easy and convenient ways to vote early and make sure your voice is heard. So let’s make a plan,” says Kamala Harris in the video. “First, vote-by-mail is already underway…You can also vote early in-person, starting October 15th. Either way, you’ll be one of the first voters to move our country forward.”
To make early in-person voting more convenient, voters across North Carolina will have more than 450 voting sites, including more than 15 additional sites than in 2016. In the largest eight counties in the state, voters will also have over 7,000 more early voting hours than in 2016. There is also a statewide requirement that each county have at least a total of 10 hours of in-person early voting on the weekend.
- Wake County will have 550 more hours for early voting.
- Mecklenburg County will have 1508 more hours and 10 additional sites.
- Guilford County will have 1,288 more hours for early voting.
- Forsyth County will have 944 more hours for early voting.
- Durham County will have 1,038 more hours and 1 additional site.
- Cumberland County will have 944 more hours and 1 additional site.
- Buncombe County will have 436 more hours and 5 additional sites.
Each early voting site is also required to have face masks available and adhere to the state’s public health guidance. Voters can register to vote, drop off their absentee ballots, and vote at each early voting site – making them easy and convenient one-stop shops for North Carolinians.
Voters can visit IWillVote.com/NC to find out more information and make a plan to vote. Voters can also contact the Voter Assistance Hotline (1-833-868-3462) – in English, Spanish and other languages – to ask questions or raise concerns.