• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Politics

This Is What Happened When I Called 30 North Carolina Voters

Two days before the presidential election, our Lifestyle & Relationships Editor called more than 30 voters in North Carolina, a critical swing state, as a volunteer with MoveOn.org. It was intense.
This Is What Happened When I Called 30 North Carolina Voters
By Charreah K. Jackson · Updated October 26, 2020

Like many, I have watched this election like the circus it became.

The rise of presidential candidate Donald Trump went from a running joke to a horror film as his hatred and bigotry grew an army of Americans to “Make America Great Again” by racial profiling, religious intolerance and open season for assault on women.

I never thought he could actually win. As the polls tightened, I realized I needed to do everything within my power to ensure Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the most qualified candidate this country has ever had, becomes president. So when MoveOn.org sent a text to see if I could make calls to voters in swing states, I signed up.

The Sunday before the election, I chatted with more than 30 registered voters in North Carolina, where a tight race ensues. I wasn’t ready. Here’s a recap.

Call 1: Black male, 27. He’s voting for Hillary. I take a deep breath. Grateful this is off to a good start and he is clear on the value of his vote. Young black men can have so much at stake while not always having their voices and views seen and heard.  

Call 2: wrong number

Call 3: Black woman picks up. I was calling for her mom. They both have already voted early for Clinton. YES.

Call 4: “B*tch, quit calling the wrong number, shit.” For the record that was my first time calling. I don’t say this. Voter’s number has changed. The current owner stays mad. Still hope she votes.

Call 7: Black female, 30s, planning to vote for Clinton

Call 8: Black male, 32. He’s with her.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest in hair, beauty, style and celebrity news.

Call 10: Black male teen, 17, picks up.  His granddad is not available. He’s looking forward to voting next time.

Call 11: Roy, 60, and I talk for 11 minutes. He’s an African American veteran and not sure if he’s voting and who he will vote for if he does. “I decide when I get there if I go.” He’s still mad at Clinton for what she said about President Obama during the campaign eight years ago. “Well, I can’t forgive that,” when I share Obama has moved forward and forgiven and had her in his cabinet. He also thinks email could have her in jail. We have an interesting conversation. I thank him for sharing.

Call 13: “Hell no,” white male replies when I ask if we can count on his vote for Hillary Clinton, before hanging up.

Call 17: Black female, already voted for Clinton.

Call 18: Black male, already voted for Clinton.

Call 21: Black female, 30, planning to vote for Clinton.

Call 22: Black female, 29, now lives in Florida. She’s flying back home to North Carolina tomorrow to cast her vote for Clinton. Dedication.

Call 23: “I wouldn’t vote for either one of them thangs,” white female with deep southern drawl.

Call 25: Father picked up call for his son, white male. “I didn’t know he was registered,” dad says. He has already voted. “It ain’t Clinton,” he replies when asked his candidate.

Call 26: Black woman with one of those voicemails that makes you think the person picked up. I left a message encouraging her to get to the polls in this critical election and complimenting the clever (ahem, side eye worthy) message.

Call 27: Undecided

Call 29: Teresa is voting for Hillary Clinton and very excited about it!

Call 31: Black female, 30, voting for Clinton though over getting calls. It’s her 3rd call about voting.

Call your friends and family to make sure they are voting. We need every vote. And to all the customer service reps, sending you much love. Calling ain’t easy.

Get to the polls and vote this Tuesday, Nov. 8, to vote for president and critical decision makers in our communities.

Visit vote.org for information and support.

 

TOPICS:  Donald Trump Election 2016 Hillary Clinton Presidential Election
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now