RALEIGH, N.C. – A race for the Wake County Board of Commissioners could have broader impacts if Democrats grab the board’s majority on Tuesday.

RALEIGH, N.C. — According to an update released by the Wake County Board of Elections, employees there have finished processing new or change address applications that were submitted by the Oct. 10 deadline. More than 40,000 applications have been processed since the beginning of October.

With those added, Wake County now has 584,978 registered voters – 248,731 registered with the Democratic Party; 182,705 registered with the Republican Party, 426 registered with the Libertarian Party and 153,115 registered as Unaffiliated.  

The Elections Office has processed 22,484 civilian absentee ballot requests, 637 military and 1,079 overseas requests. They continue to receive more than 1,000 requests a day for absentee ballots by mail.  The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 5 p.m. on Oct. 28.

Ten early voting sites opened Oct. 23 and all sites will remain open until 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1. Information on early voting locations, dates and times can be found at www.wakevotesearly.com.

Voters can also check their voter registration information and print a copy of their sample ballot. As of the end of voting Oct. 23, 48,566 voters participated in early voting.

RALEIGH, N.C. — A party never solved a world crisis but it never created one, either. At least according to GASP, or Girlfriends Appalled at Sarah Palin.

The group is holding a dance in Raleigh Thursday at the Obama office, 600 St. Mary’s St. The event takes place from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

They hope to encourage Wake County voters to vote early and volunteer for Obama/Biden.  Admission is free. Families welcome.

The dance will feature live music by the LBJ Tribute band the Swingin’ Johnsons.

GASP! (Girlfriends Appalled about Sarah Palin) was born on Sept. 24 when 10 Raleigh women met for dinner. The dinner discussion revolved around John McCain’s vice presidential choice. It was considered by all attending as an insult to smart and politically experienced American women.  They wanted to turn their passion into positive action so they agreed to each invite five friends for a meeting the following week.  Four weeks later more 450 Wake County women have donated over 500 hours, 50 meals and thousands of dollars to the Obama campaign.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Wake County is expanding the number of early voting sites available as elections officials try to ease long lines.

Wake County elections officials said Monday that they had opened four voting sites earlier than initially planned. They had already been operating for a few days but were initially scheduled to close until all sites opened on Thursday. The elections board decided to keep them working full days.

Cumberland County expanded its capacity on Sunday as officials there prepared for a rush to the polls after an event for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

The State Board of Elections said no other counties have expanded their sites. Some 358,000 people have cast ballots at one-stop sites since they opened Thursday.

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Democratic Women of Wake County will hold their monthly luncheon meeting on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008 at the NC State University Club, 4200 Hillsborough Street. The featured speaker will be Senator Walter Dalton, Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor.

The buffet lunch lines open at 11:30 am with the program starting at noon. The cost of the luncheon is $13 payable at the door.

For reservations email Nancy Looper at info@dwwc.net or call Martha Farmer at 782-1272. The deadline for reservations is Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 10 a.m.

The Wake County Republican party invites residents to cheer on Senator John McCain as he debates Barack Obama in the third and final Presidential debate. 

Join them at Raleighwood Cinema at 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday.  Go to www.WakeGOP.org  to order tickets.

Several other Republican watch parties will begin at 8:30 p.m. in the area:

Fayetteville
Fayetteville Victory Office
201 S. McPherson Church Road
Suite 204
Fayetteville, NC 28303
Contact: David Fernandes at 910-864-6584

Raleigh
Raleighwood Theatre
6609 Falls of Neuse Road
Raleigh, NC 27615

According to Barack Obama’s Web site, there are several area Democratic watch parties for tonight’s debate, including in Garner, Durham, Carrboro and Raleigh. See Full List

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Wake County Republican party invites you to join 200 of your fellow Wake County Republicans to cheer on Governor Sarah Palin as she debates Joe Biden in the Vice Presidential debate. 

The group will gather at the Raleighwood Cinema from 8:45 to 11 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2 to watch Governor Palin take on Joe Biden on the big screen.  Go to www.WakeGOP.org  to order your tickets.

The Wake County Republican party has launched a new website, www.WakeGOP.org.  

“In response to feedback from our constituents the new WakeGOP.org has an enhanced look and user friendly feel,” according to a release from the party.

The site provides voters with information on candidates and upcoming elections as well as direct links to Republican elected officials.  Voters can register as a volunteer, make donations and even purchase items such as shirts and coffee mugs at the online store.

The Democratic Women of Wake County will hold their monthly luncheon meeting on Thursday, Sept. 25 at the NC State University Club, 4200 Hillsborough Street. The featured speakers will be members of the Wake County delegation: Senator Vernon Malone and Representatives Dan Blue, Linda Coleman, Ty Harrell, Grier Martin, Deborah Ross, and Jennifer Weiss.

The buffet lunch lines open at 11:30 a.m. with the program starting at noon. The cost of the luncheon is $13, payable at the door.

For reservations email Nancy Looper at info@dwwc.net or call Martha Farmer at 782-1272. The deadline for reservations is Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 10 a.m.