NC Poor People’s Campaign supporters march to the Legislative Building on April 24, 2024. (Photo: Greg Childress)
Rev. Rob Stephens discusses the General Assembly during a press conference on April 24, 2024 in Raleigh. (Photo: Greg Childress)
On Wednesday, nearly 200 supporters of the North Carolina Poor People’s Campaign traveled to Raleigh to remind lawmakers returning for the legislative short session that low-income voters make up more than 41% of the state’s electorate.
If low-income eligible voters voted at the same rate as higher-income voters, campaign leaders warned, they could control the outcome of elections.
“That is a sleeping giant that is ready to be activated,” said Rev. Rob Stephens, Repairers of the Breach North Carolina Organizing Committee coordinator and member of the NC Poor People’s Campaign. “If we could just turn out 19% of that group who haven’t voted before, we could fundamentally shift the entire landscape of elections in North Carolina.
Rev. Wayne Wilhelm, one of the chairs of the NC Poor People’s Campaign, said lawmakers need to know that North Carolinians are watching them.