NC Politics: A Balanced Perspective

08.15.13 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Pasquotank BOE decision provides framework to disenfranchise student voters On Tuesday, August 13, 2013, the Republican-controlled Pasquotank County Board of Election (BOE) attempt to block Mr. Montravias D. King from running for city council in Elizabeth City provides the legal basis to deny any and all students living at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) the right vote in local elections and, consequently, the right to run for office in Elizabeth City. Ultimately, their action is a direct violation of the US Supreme Court decision in Symm vs. United States (1979), which upheld student’s rights to vote in the town and cities where they attend school. The decision by the Pasquotank County BOE is a dangerous contradiction, blatant defiance of the law(s) that govern our great nation, and may lay the framework to disenfranchise students living at ECSU by denying them the right to vote in future local elections. This action is a just a ...

On Monday, August 5th, the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners finally approved a plan to restructure the county's election districts to provide the opportunity for more black representation on the board of commission. The original restructuring plan, the 2-2-2-1plan, proposed by the County Governance Committee failed to pass on Monday night, with only Commissioner(s) Perry and Sterritt voting for it. "I could care less about my seat if its going to achieve fundamental fairness for the citizens of Pasquotank County" Commissioner Perry stated. However, after a very impassioned speech by Commissioner Sterritt and a room full of concerned black citizens demanding change and equity,  the 4-2-1 Plan devised by Mr. Keith Rivers, President of the Pasquotank County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), was passed. The 4-2-1 restructuring plan will preserve the four current commissioner districts on the Pasquotank Board of Commi...