Here’s what were covering this week!👇

The Time Is N:OW

This week the General assembly returned and our Governor Josh Stein introduced a bold, forward-thinking budget proposal that finally puts the people of North Carolina first. For 295 days, we have been without a budget—making us the only state in the nation in this unacceptable position. It’s time for that to change. It’s been over 900 days since we passed a fully-enacted, comprehensive budget. 

Governor Stein’s plan is a direct investment in our families, our communities, and our future. It’s a blueprint to make North Carolina the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

Here are some talking points and messaging we want to share about what’s in it for you:

• A Top-Tier Education: Makes starting teachers pay the highest in the Southeast and gives all teachers a significant raise.
• Healthcare Access: Fully funds Medicaid, securing healthcare for millions of North Carolinians.
• Safer Communities: Funds to fill critical law enforcement shortages and keep our neighborhoods safe.
• Money in Your Pocket: Targeted tax cuts for working families to help combat rising costs.
• Good-Paying Jobs: Invests in job creation and workforce training so North Carolinians can pursue those opportunities.
• A Modern Government: Streamlines services to make them more accessible for everyone.

This is the budget North Carolina deserves. But we need your help to get it passed.

Our Democratic lawmakers are standing up to the Republicans and on the first day of the short session yesterday, Sen. Lisa Grafstein, along with Senators Terence Everitt and Woodson Bradley, filed the No Budget, No Pay Act, legislation that would hold General Assembly members’ pay in escrow if Republican leadership fails to pass a budget by June 30, 2026.

College Early Voting Sites

Our goal is simple: ensure that students across the state have convenient, reliable access to the ballot in the upcoming general election.

One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by establishing an on-campus early voting (EV) site at our college campuses. For this to happen, campus administrators must first approve the site. Then, the County Board of Elections must include it in their final early voting plan.

Being able to vote early on campus makes the process easier and more accessible for students, faculty, and staff. For many students, getting to an off-campus location can be challenging.

On-campus early voting sites are never guaranteed. Each year, county boards of elections review and approve early voting locations, meaning access can change from one election cycle to the next. Because of this uncertainty, on-campus sites are always at risk of being removed. Ongoing advocacy is essential to secure and expand reliable access to early voting on campus.

Sign a petition for the college near you here.

Jackson Wins Again!

After a seven-week trial, a jury found in favor of Attorney General Jeff Jackson and 33 other attorneys general, holding Live Nation and Ticketmaster liable on all counts for illegally monopolizing the ticketing and large amphitheater markets for live entertainment events. Attorney General Jackson shared the following statement:

“The verdict’s in. We just won our case against Live Nation and Ticketmaster on all claims, and we’re closer to breaking down their illegal monopoly over the live entertainment industry.

“This was one of the biggest antitrust cases in years. When the United States Department of Justice announced in March that it had cut a deal with Live Nation and Ticketmaster behind the backs of the attorneys general, I rejected their secret deal because it failed to address sky-high ticket prices for concertgoers. We wanted the jury to hear the evidence and see what consumers have known for years.

“Today’s verdict confirms that Live Nation has been running an illegal monopoly in the ticket market, abusing concertgoers and artists. The case will now head to a second phase where the judge will decide the appropriate remedies to break Live Nation’s hold on the live entertainment industry and restore competition, and our office will stay on the side of bringing prices down for consumers.”  

FOMO

NC Democrats are meeting people where they are. 

A huge shoutout to our amazing Chair, Anderson Clayton! Her vision of meeting people where they are is the heart of the NC Dems, fostering warmth and engagement across our state.

This vision was evident at the FOMO Charlotte Art Block Party, where 5,000 vibrant creatives came together. We’re thankful to the Mecklenburg County Dems for forging genuine connections and engaging voters, with Representative Jordan Lopez actively listening to their stories.

The excitement didn’t end there! Just before FOMO, VP Kamala Harris made a special visit to North Carolina A&T University, the largest HBCU in the nation, where she connected with students who had bravely protested against the closure of their on-campus voting site. Chair Clayton marched alongside these students during early voting.

One of the march organizers, Shia Rozier expressed gratitude for the monumental connection by Chair Clayton. 

We are immensely proud of all our activists and leaders. This week reminded us of our commitment to see you, to show up for you, and to be present in ALL communities across North Carolina. 

That’s a wrap for this week’s messaging!

Now it’s your turn! Download the graphics below, copy our captions, and get the message out! Whether you’re lighting up the group chat or sharing it on your timeline, your voice is what actually moves the needle!

See y’all on the internet!

—NCDP Digital

Click here to get this week’s graphics!

Stories To Boost:

Carolina Public Press: Democrats in NC House seek to flip the script after Leandro ruling

Sample Social Post:

If the current majority won’t honor our state constitution and fund our classrooms, it’s time to replace them. Stop begging. Start voting. Let’s sweep the NC State House this November and finally deliver for our public schools. 💙

Upcoming:

Party Officer Workshops (In Person/Multiple Locations)

Join NCDP for an engaging all-day, in-person workshop for new and returning Officers: Chairs, Vice Chairs, Secretaries, Treasurers, and any other key leaders. We’ll cover fundraising and budgeting, communication best practices, and collaboration across our Democratic networks (Regional Organizing Directors from the Coordinated Campaign will be there to meet you). Attend whichever session works best for you. We recommend attending as a leadership team — there are several hands-on exercises that are best done together:

APRIL 25th – Edgecombe County | APRIL 29th – Randolph County | MAY 2ND – Transylvania County 

Party Officer Workshops (In Person/Multiple Locations)

 Learn and practice VoteBuilder skills in these In-person sessions, with hands-on help from NCDP staff. Whether you are an experienced VoteBuilder user or you’re just starting out, join us for this workshop to:

• Leverage VoteBuilder to inform your strategy (create list, use counts and crosstabs, targets and scores)
• Build and run direct voter contact programs (set up canvasses and phonebanks, cut turf, print to miniVAN)
• Track your results
• Adjust your program to match campaign phase (ID, persuade, GOTV, chase and cure)

Bring your laptop, your power cord and your questions! All sessions are on Fridays from 1-4pm.

APRIL 24th – Edgecombe County | MAY 1st – Transylvania County 

Candidate Support Office Hours | Tuesdays 12-1pm

How to knock doors and use miniVAN | Multiple Days

Learn why one-on-one conversations with voters are so important, review door knocking best practices,  and see how to use our canvassing tool, miniVAN!

Become an Anytime Canvasser for Anita Earls: Field Team Justice | Multiple Days

Field Team Justice is NCDP’s network of grassroots volunteers dedicated to electing Justice Anita Earls and our Court of Appeals candidates next year.

We’re launching our Anytime/Anywhere Canvassing program—an easy, flexible way to help voters learn about our judicial candidates. We’re putting powerful tools in your hands so you can grow this movement right from your own neighborhood.