Voting takes a spirited tone

Volunteers put on a party in Durham

DURHAM -- As early voting drew to a close Saturday afternoon, Durham's elections chief, an unabashed booster for democracy, was even more exuberant than normal.

"Democracy is having a pretty good morning," said Mike Ashe, director of Durham's Board of Elections. "Hot dogs, music, voting and democracy. It doesn't get much better than this."

All over the state, Saturday was the last day people could vote early in person. At Durham's Board of Elections, a modest building on West Corporation Street just west of downtown, a line 100 people long waited to vote. The scene was more like a tailgate party where candidates shook hands and a nonpartisan group of volunteers served food, coffee and music.

Just after 1 p.m., the last voter in line cast the 650th ballot of the day and the 4,775th since Durham County began early voting Oct. 19.

Ashe said that some were voting for the first time and that many were prompted to vote by the district attorney race. The bitter campaign has focused on incumbent Mike Nifong's handling of the rape case against three Duke University lacrosse players.

On Saturday, boosters held up their signs and plastered stickers on voters. Campaign volunteers were cordial if a little icy to each other.

Nifong is on the ballot as a Democrat, while County Commissioner Lewis Cheek appears as an unaffiliated candidate. Cheek has promised he will not accept the job, and if he gets the most votes, the governor would appoint a district attorney for a two-year term. Republican Party Chairman Steve Monks is also running as a write-in candidate.

Felicia Walton, 19, had a Cheek sticker on her purse.

"Having a fresh pair of eyes look at the case is of utmost importance to us at Duke University," said Walton, a biology and chemistry senior at Duke.

Richele James, 39, recently moved to the Chicago area, but not in time to vote there. She came to Durham on Saturday for N.C. Central's homecoming and because she couldn't imagine not voting, especially with the district attorney race on the ballot. She voted for Nifong, she said.

"There are times when we have to give people support and give them an opportunity to see things to the end," she said.

Hot dogs, veggie burgers, chili and coffee were available at no charge thanks to Traction, a Durham nonprofit that works to get young people involved in the community. Traction also arranged for the Water Callers, a duo who played acoustic folk, country and roots music for the crowd.

"We think politics shouldn't be boring, it should be fun," said Lanya Shapiro, 36, the group's founder and director.

Soon after he arrived, Nifong approached three members of Duke Students for an Ethical Durham, a group that has worked against Nifong. The prosecutor told the students that since they were working against him, they might as well meet. Nifong held out his hand. No one shook it. After an awkward moment, Nifong shook hands with the head of another anti-Nifong group, then went to work the line of voters.