Knocking on Doors, Walking the Neighborhood

Sunday, Jorge went door-to-door in the Glenwood neighborhood.  Volunteers have knocked on doors in a different part of the neighborhood before, but this time the campaign concentrated on West Florida and McCormick streets.  Jorge lives in the Glenwood neighborhood and is frequently in the area: recently he’s gone to two different BBQs in the area, including one at the Greensboro HIVE.  He also has numerous friends in the area. 

Jorge with a resident discussing his concerns

Jorge spoke with numerous residents, including three at great lengths (one pictured above) about their concerns in the neighborhood in general.  Themes discussed all tied back to the key issue of an irresponsive government that was either incapable or unwilling to serve residents in the ways they wanted.  In particular, residents mentioned the need to tear down an abandoned home that is a breeding ground for rats (above), increased police accountability and an end to racial profiling, and increased police pressure on local crack houses. 

Later in the day, The Campaign to Elect Jorge Cornell met to discuss plans for all plans leading up to the end of election day on Tuesday. 

On Monday, Jorge and a number of campaign volunteers talked to voters outside different Food Lion locations in the southern and eastern parts of the City, distributing campaign flyers to many interested voters.  Volunteers coordinated other volunteers to help with election day details and made phone calls reminding people to vote.  The Campaign met again to finalize all plans for election day and increase internal communication systems.  All systems go!

Polling places will be open from 6:30 am until 7:30 pm.  If you don’t know where you’re supposed to go to vote, call the Board of Elections at 336-641-3836. You cannot do same day registration on election day, only for early voting.  If you have any other questions, you should also call the Board of Elections and ask them!

Last Days of Early Voting Huge Success

Friday was the last full day of early voting, and The Campaign to Elect Jorge Cornell wasted no time getting voters to the polls.  Five cars brought voters from Guilford College, and another carpool came from UNC-Greensboro.  Jorge and four campaign volunteers worked for over six hours talking to voters outside the courthouse, which is next to the Board of Elections where people vote.  Close to 100 people connected strongly enough with Jorge and his platform that they immediately went to vote for him.  In particular, many people voted for Jorge because they strongly agreed with the need for police accountability due to unacceptable, pervasive police harassment.  Voters told campaign volunteers story after story of unfair police targeting of people of color and police brutality. 

Jorge with UNC-G students after they voted for him Friday

Campaign volunteers have been talking to voters outside the courthouse almost every day of early voting and convincing an average of 20 people a day to immediately cast their ballot for Jorge.  These voters have felt so strongly about his campaign that most of them have “single shotted” for him- in other words they didn’t vote for any other at large candidates to increase Jorge’s chances.  Countless other people expressed support and vowed to turn out on election day. 

Throughout the day Friday, campaign volunteers also distributed flyers at UNC-G and up and down Tate Street.  One volunteer passed out some flyers later in the day around campus on twice overhearing conversations about police harassment and brutality and telling the students about Jorge’s campaign.  Both groups of people were very excited about his campaign upon learning about it and said they’d vote for him Tuesday.

Friday night, Jorge passed out more informational flyers downtown for First Friday along with five campaign volunteers.  Many people were familiar with his campaign already but even more were supportive, saying they would make sure to get out and vote. 

Saturday was the last day of early voting and Jorge talked to voters outside the Board of Elections with a campaign volunteer while two other volunteers passed out flyers on Elm Street.  It was a very slow day with few people turning out, but at least seven people voted for Jorge, two of whom hadn’t been planning to vote at all.

First Day of October

Jorge speaking at the Interactive Resource Center's candidate forum

On Thursday, Jorge attended a candidate forum hosted by the Interactive Resource Center, a day center for homeless folks in Greensboro.  As candidates were milling around waiting for the forum to begin, Jorge sat down and talked with a some homeless folks who came for the forum. Many of the folks present were very responsive to Jorge, and he explained how he’s experienced homelessness first hand so he knows what their struggles are like.  Other candidates expressed concern for homeless people in Greensboro, but Jorge was the only candidate who had lived through it himself. 

While some people talked about homeless people being invisible in the City, Jorge said, “they’re not invisible people just walk by them every day like they are”. He knew a number of the attendees personally because he makes a point to stop and talk to everyone, particularly in places like Food Not Bombs and Center City Park. 

Jorge was invited to speak at A&T Thursday

Later in the day, Jorge was invited by the President of the Pan-Hellenic Council (all frats and sororities) at A&T to a car show.  At the event, they had him speak on the microphone to a crowd of 200-300 students about his campaign and work in the community.  New campaign flyers came in the mail Thursday, and seven campaign volunteers with Jorge (two of whom were his daughters) passed them out to the crowd. A number of students came up to him after he spoke to express their support, one frat brother invited him to an event later in the month, and the school newspaper asked for an interview. 

 

Jorge with supporters at A&T, including Alvin Black (right), President of the Pan-Hellenic Council

Going Strong Each Day of Early Voting

Jorge with a supporter this week

The Campaign to Elect Jorge Cornell is stronger than ever, and pushing hard through the last few days of early voting.  On Thursday, at least volunteers turned at least 10 people out to vote for Jorge, many of them first time voters.  One woman, with her two small kids beside her, read his campaign platform and felt so strongly about it that she went to vote for him on the spot.  Jorge has been receiving an incredible amount of support from unexpected folks who are just hearing about his campaign for the first time this week. 

Jorge talking to a voter Thursday

One A&T student called the campaign Thursday to say that he was so excited about the campaign that he distributed around 1,000 flyers on campus in support of Jorge.  Other A&T students have been volunteering to drive their classmates and friends to the polls before early voting ends.  A UNC-G student contacted the campaign to say he’s taking his friends down on Friday, and a GTCC student called to say the same thing.  Guilford College students have supported Jorge with a strong turnout already, with more contacting the campaign Thursday for rides to vote.  Other people have been signing up to help out the campaign in the final stretch before the primary. 

Jorge has spoken with a number of teachers and professors recently who have expressed their support for the campaign, one as she walked in the Board of Elections building to vote for him.  Many people in work uniforms have stopped to talk to Jorge and express their support, and a number of City employees have said they’re voting for him. 

Campaigning on His Birthday

Tuesday, Jorge Cornell turned 33.  He celebrated his birthday by continuing to campaign for five hours talking to voters on the streets of Greensboro.  At least 15 people turned out to vote for him on his birthday. 

Jorge talking with a resident on Tuesday

Later that night, Jorge celebrated his birthday with close friends and supporters at Vintage 301 on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.   Fellow at large candidate DJ Hardy happened to be there as well and stopped in to the private party to wish Jorge a happy birthday. Jorge had an excellent birthday and thanks everyone for the well wishes.

Jorge with a friend on his birthday