WNC Vote Tracker launches website about local legislation

On Oct. 2, Western North Carolina Vote Tracker launched. It’s a website service that aims to help area voters follow legislation pertaining to six categories: economic security, education, environment, health and safety and women’s issues. “It’s really to help create more transparency and kind of lift the veil around the legislations affecting our area,” says Adrienne Ammerman, director of engagement at Children First/Communities in Schools of Buncombe County.

The site was introduced through a diverse partnership of local nonprofits — Children First/Communities In Schools of Buncombe County, Just Economics of WNC, Pisgah Legal Services, Western North Carolina Alliance and Women for Women: A Giving Circle, she explains. “It can sometimes be hard to figure out what each legislation is and who is voting on it,” says Ammerman. “Hopefully [the service] will help people to be more informed.”
WNC Vote Tracker highlights the key issues addressed by the North Carolina General Assembly. Each bill is categorized and summarized, with well-organized bullet points that explain its aspects. The tracker also details the bill’s current status, the WNC legislator who sponsored it and legislators who either voted for, against or no vote cast.

“Right now there is a lot of attention focused on the government — on the federal shutdown, what’s going on in D.C., the fighting between Democrats and Republicans,” she continues. “Here in Buncombe County there is a lot of legislation … going into effect Jan. 1. These are laws that impact Buncombe residents right now. They can look at the cuts that have taken place to our education system and connect the dots between the legislation and what’s going on in our classrooms today.”

The Asheville-based Children First has also partnered with Mountain Xpress: In the upcoming Oct. 16 issue, Xpress will distribute an Asheville and Black Mountain candidates guide.

“In terms of timing, we wanted to make a guide available to figure out how the candidates stand on issues beforehand,” Ammerman said. “It’s really just a tool for people to use to take into vote with them or read ahead of time. Last year we gave out 10,000 copies, and it was a much more DIY effort of people coming in and picking up stacks of them to hand out. This year, because it’s in Mountain Xpress, we’ll get 25,000 copies out right away.”

The guide is also available online here.

Hayley Benton is a local freelance writer.

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Webmaster
Mountain Xpress Webmaster Follow me @MXWebTeam

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.