We have witnessed a strong and vigorous primary with thousands of new, energetic and enthusiastic voters.

More than a half-million voters have participated in early voting. More than 80 percent of them chose to participate in the Democratic rather than Republican primary. Forty-percent of the early voters were African-American.

“This tells us that North Carolinians are willing to invest their hopes and dreams in our Party. And we don’t take that for granted,” said NCDP Chair Jerry Meek. “That’s why we’re committed to restoring the American Dream – to restoring faith that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can prosper in North Carolina.”

When and Where is the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner being held?
The dinner will be held at the J.S. Dorton Arena on the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh on Friday, May 2, 2008.

When should I arrive at Dorton Arena?
We are strongly urging our dinner guests to arrive NO LATER than 6:30pm.

Doors open at 5:30 pm.

Due to a increased level of security, it may take far longer to gain entry to the venue than in past years.

When and where can I pick up my credentials or wristbands?
You can pick up your credentials at Dorton arena.

I did not receive my credentials in advance - what do I do?
Your credentials are being held by North Carolina Democratic Party staff, and can be picked up at the Registration and Ticketing Tent located at Dorton Arena. You will be ask to present a photo-ID at the Registration and Ticketing Tent when you arrive, so please be prepared. The Registration Tent will be open beginning at 10:00am on Friday morning.

I have purchased theater tickets, will the concession stands in Dorton be open?
Yes, the concession stands will be open and will have food and drink items available for purchase.

I have never been to an event with so much security. What will I need to know?
Besides a potential delay in gaining access to the venue, you should not be inconvenienced by the heightened security. Please wear your dinner credential or wrist band so that it is clearly visible. Also, women should be advised that an agent may conduct a visual search of the contents of their handbag or purse. Please carry as little as possible in your bag in order to make sure this process moves quickly.

Can I bring a camera?
Yes, you should feel free to bring a camera with you to the event.

How will I know where to go?
If you are confused about where to go when you arrive, please show one of our staff your ticket at the Registration and Ticketing Tent. They will direct you to the proper entrance.

Where should I park for the event?
Parking will be available on the N.C. State Fairgrounds and volunteers will be on hand to assist with directions. We do encourage everyone to carpool as much as possible as spaces will be limited.

Are there any events after the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner is over?
Yes, the Young Democrats of North Carolina have planned an event to be held at the Clarion Hotel immediately following JJ. You can find more information on their website at www.ydnc.org.

This page is out of date, please click here.

When and Where is the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner being held?
The dinner will be held at the J.S. Dorton Arena on the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh on Friday, May 2, 2008.

If you would like to be notified if more JJ tickets become available, click here.

When and Where is the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner being held?
The dinner will be held at the J.S. Dorton Arena on the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh on Friday, May 2, 2008.

The North Carolina Democratic Party today filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Office of the Inspector General to obtain a detailed list of Chairman Kevin Martin’s recent travel.

The request comes in the wake of numerous news reports that Chairman Martin may be using public funds and his position as Chairman of a large government agency to seek elected office in North Carolina.

“Members of Congress who are running for office are closely regulated to ensure that they are not campaigning on the taxpayer dollar – why shouldn’t Kevin Martin be held to the same standard?” said NCDP Chair Jerry Meek.

“Our citizens deserve to know whether their taxpayer dollars are being used for Kevin Martin’s political gain,” Meek said.

NCDP Chair Jerry Meek announced today that the process of reorganizing the Democratic Party’s precinct organizations is moving “quickly, successfully, and strictly by the rules.”

Applications to serve as temporary precinct Chair, for the purpose of holding an organizational meeting of each precinct, are due at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Application forms may be obtained here. Temporary precinct Chairs will be announced on the website over the weekend.

All precincts will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 19th. Precinct meeting locations will be posted to the State Party website, www.ncdp.org, by 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12th. All registered Democrats are encouraged to attend their precinct meeting.

As of 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, 101 Democrats, representing 85 precincts, have applied to serve as temporary precinct Chair.

“While this has been a difficult time for the county party,” Meek said, “I am heartened by the energy displayed in organizing these precincts throughout Mecklenburg County.”

President Bush, please take Dick Cheney with you when you leave the White House.

Cloaked in secrecy, Vice President Dick Cheney met today in a closed meeting with the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.

“While we might not know what they talked about, the evidence is clear that the Bush-Cheney economic policies have failed North Carolina,” said NCDP Chair Jerry Meek.

“A recession is looming and it costs more to put fill our gas tanks, heat our homes, and pay for health care when illness strikes,” Meek said.

In 2001, gas was $1.37 per gallon. Now it costs $3.09 per gallon. Americans could heat their homes for as low as $1.40 per gallon. Now it costs $3.39.

Health care insurance premium costs for families have doubled from $6,230 in 2001 to $12,106 per household today.

“North Carolinians work hard to secure a better future for their children and grandchildren,” Meek said. “But the Bush-Cheney Administration has diminished that with irresponsible policies and an unquenchable thirst for debt.”

NCDP Chair Jerry Meek made the following statement today in response to the news that Senator John Edwards has dropped out of the Democratic presidential primary:

"John Edwards ran an honorable campaign, one that all North Carolinians can be proud of. Senator Edwards is a fiery champion for the middle class and shifted public debate to real and serious questions facing American families such as how we’re going to educate our children and pay for health care when illness strikes.

We admire his sincere dedication to public service and enriching the lives of those whose voices are often forgotten in horse-race politics. We wish Senator Edwards and his family well."

Elizabeth Dole was against expanding the State Children Health Insurance Program before she was for it.

Dole endangered the health of 123,000 North Carolina children when she voted six times this year against fully funding the program.

Last week, she was among 28 senators who sent a letter asking Senate leadership to expand SCHIP.

“Elizabeth Dole is playing election year politics with the health of our children,” said NCDP Chair Jerry Meek.

“When Dole had the chance, in fact six chances, to provide quality access to health care for children, she did nothing,” Meek said. “She chose to stand by President Bush’s failed policies rather than stand up for North Carolina children and families.”

North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek issued the following statement in response to President Bush's threat to veto funding important to the American people while at the same time asking for a blank check for his war of choice in Iraq:

"After seven years President Bush still hasn't figured out that he serves the American people, not a partisan agenda. The President's threat today to veto Democratic funding bills that address the American people's priorities is not only misguided, it's hypocritical. It's President Bush who signed $3 trillion in new spending his Republican Congress gave him, and it's President Bush who wants a blank check for his failed policies in Iraq.

President Bush doesn't understand the realities on the ground in North Carolina anymore than he understands the realities on the ground in Iraq. Voting for a new direction on the war in Iraq, voting to give low income kids health care coverage, and voting to care for our brave veterans is not wasted time for North Carolinians; it's what we voted for.