October Update
Frank and I voting - early!
Early Voting is Underway
It’s October and the midterm elections are underway. Early voting is available through October 31st. We are lucky here in Orange County that our early voting hours have not been cut and our locations remain the same as in previous years, unlike some of the other counties in NC.
Please consider signing up to greet voters at the polls through the Orange County Democratic Party. Help is especially needed at the Chapel of the Cross location.
Early Voting Hours:
Thursday, Oct. 15 and Friday, Oct. 16: 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 17: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 18: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday Oct. 19 to 23: 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 24: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 25: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday, Oct. 26 to 30: 8 a.m to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 31: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Early Voting Sites:
Orange Works at Hillsborough Commons (in lieu of BOE office): 113 Mayo St, Hillsborough
Drakeford Library in Carrboro: 203 S Greensboro St, Carrboro
Chapel Hill Library: 100 Library Dr, Chapel Hill
Chapel of the Cross: 304 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill
Seymour Senior Center: 2551 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill
Efland – Cheeks Community Center: 117 Richmond Rd, Efland
Commissioner Marilyn Carter, Me, Commissioner Sally Greene, and Town Councilwoman Melissa McCullough at the Paint It Orange event at the Eno Arts Mill
I cannot stress enough how important it is for every single person to come out and vote. Please vote for Democrats up and down the ballot, starting at the top of the ballot with a vote for former Governor Roy Cooper for US Senate. Please also make sure you vote for Justice Anita Earls for NC Supreme Court and all three Democrats running for the Court of Appeals: Judge John Arrowood, Judge Toby Hampson, and Judge Christine Walczyk. Keep going and vote for every Orange County office.
With Commissioner Rani Dasi and Judge Toby Hampson at the judicial forum
The Three Constitutional Amendments on the Ballot
Please continue voting all the way to the three Constitutional Amendments (one on the front of your ballot regarding voter IDs and two on the back regarding taxes). It all matters - especially those amendments.
Personally, I am voting against all three amendments. Let me explain.
Unnecessary Voter Photo ID Requirement
The first amendment (located on the front of your ballot) reads: “Constitutional amendment to require all voters, not just those voting in person, to present photo identification before voting.” You can vote “Against” to reject the amendment, or "For” to approve it.
I am against this amendment for several reasons. First and foremost, this amendment is unnecessary. Photo identification is already required by law in NC. Even before photo ID was required, voter fraud was not and still is not an issue in our country. Also, this amendment could potentially limit future advances like online or virtual voting that would make voting easier. Please join me in voting against this amendment.
Limit on State Income Taxes - Permanent Tax Breaks for the Wealthy
The second proposed amendment (listed first on the back of the ballot) reads: “Constitutional amendment to keep the state income tax rate from being raised above three and half percent.” You can vote “Against” to reject the amendment, or "For” to approve it.
I am against this amendment because it would assure that the current unfair tax structure stays in place, even if the Republicans lose their majority. Let me explain.
The current state income tax rate is a flat 3.9% for everyone. In years past, NC employed what is called a graduated tax rate, meaning that those earning above a certain amount pay a higher rate than those earning less. In fact, for years, North Carolinians who were students or whose earnings fell below the poverty line, paid zero in taxes. In 2013, the Republicans in Raleigh changed that, giving huge tax breaks to high earners and shifting the tax burden down. This amendment would simply stop future State Legislatures from going back to a graduated tax system. Remember, what the state does not bring in via income taxes, it levies through sales taxes, gas taxes, and tolls and fees. Flat taxes, sales taxes, tolls and fees disproportionately harm struggling families, students, and hourly wage workers. By protecting the rich, the state simply pushes the burden down making everything from groceries to gas more expensive. I hope you will join me in voting against this amendment.
Property Tax Limits: Not as Simple as it Sounds
The last amendment (on the back of your ballot) reads: "Constitutional amendment requiring limits on property tax increases by local governments." You can vote “Against” to reject the amendment, or "For” to approve it.
This amendment may appear to provide immediate relief for taxpayers. Believe me, I know everyone is bearing the burden of higher costs and inflation. However, that is not what this permanent change to our State Constitution will do. Please, don’t be fooled.
This amendment is NOT a tax cut; it merely gives more control over local taxes to the state legislature.
If the amendment passes, it will take away local governments’ control of decisions that affect their constituents. This amendment is state government overreach. This Facebook video by the nonprofit Carolina Forward explains this proposed amendment well.
Capping property taxes benefits large corporations much more than it benefits individuals. For example, if property taxes were cut by 1 cent statewide, Duke Energy would save $3.2 MILLION per year while the average homeowner’s tax bill would decrease by $33.30. Taxes paid by large corporations like Duke Energy and large real estate developers make up a large portion of the tax base in any county, including Orange. A property tax cap hands large corporations huge savings leading to a huge loss of revenue for the county. (Learn more here)
If the amendment passes, local governments may not be able to levy enough tax revenue to cover their budgets, and local services like EMS, Fire Departments, water and sewer maintenance and repairs may suffer. Libraries, parks, and public art programs are also funded through property taxes. If local governments don’t have the resources to cover these services, they will be cut.
For these reasons, I do not support the proposed property tax amendment and I will be voting “Against” on my ballot.
As you know, I am concerned about fiscal responsibility and keeping taxes low. While these two amendments might sound like they address these concerns, they do not; so much so that on October 13th, the Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution expressing deep concern over the implications of two of the amendments regarding income and property taxes (the two on the back of the ballot). You can read the resolution here.
In closing, keeping local control over tax rates, allowing progressive tax structures, and expanding access to voting are important to me. My hope is that everyone will take a clear-eyed view of these proposed amendments and join me in voting against each and every one of them.
Please know that I remain committed to fiscal responsibility. That means diversifying the Orange County tax base and keeping property taxes as low as possible while continuing to provide the excellent services our community expects. Together, we can build a better tomorrow for Orange County.
Yours in service,
Phyllis Portie-Ascott
Orange County Commissioner, District 2
