Independent Update: Organizing for "Change"

North Carolina has opened up the process for Independent/Unaffiliated voters to participate in open primaries. New legislation could allow NC to make history with the state’s first same day voter registration process. Unaffiliated voters can choose Democrat, Republican or unaffiliated ballots. 26% of North Carolinians are independents.

Tyra Cohen, leader of North Carolina Indies for Change (NCindies4change@aol.com), has organized small groups to canvass neighborhoods and wherever constituents frequent to invite them to begin a conversation about “Change” and how that relates to being an "unaffiliated" voter in North Carolina. The group will be meeting at the Cliffdale Library in Fayetteville, Saturday, April 26 from 3-5, the same day that a radio tour targeted to unaffiliated voters will hit the airwaves across the state.

“Some people are unaware of what it means to be an unaffiliated voter, says Cohen, "but express their disappointment and frustrations at both the Democratic and Republican parties. Change is the 76 year old. lifelong Republican turned Independent, who says I can longer be a part of the Republican Party. I am tired of party politics, or the first time voter who wasn’t quite sure what her options were because of the confusion of the media and the emotions of the people, so she declared her independence. I feel not only an opportunity to be involved but a responsibility as an independent to lead the conversation by bringing folks together from all socioeconomic backgrounds, race, gender and ages to initiate a new political conversation.”

Tyra has teamed up with the Obama campaign staff in Fayetteville, who together at an event they are cosponsoring tomorrow (Wednesday) will talk about the role independents/unaffiliated voters have played in the success of the Obama campaign. Tyra’s feelings are that Obama’s message of “Change” is resonating throughout the country during this presidential election. The message however is not new. Changing the political process is what independent activists around the country have been working on for decades. For North Carolina unaffiliated activist and voters Tyra states “the time is now and we can’t wait!”