Wake County Election Website Mystery

You can look long and hard but you will not find an “about” section or “paid for by” disclaimer on wakeelections.com website.  The website was promoted on campaign mailers targeting voters in Wake County Board of Education districts 3 and 8.  The mailers were sponsored by a couple of very liberal advocacy groups –  Common Cause and the A. Philip Randolph Institute (see AFL-CIO).

The website appears to have been active since July 2011 and according to the welcome statement the site strives to be “a one-stop shop for important information on the October 11 and November 8 elections in Wake County, NC.” 

At first glance the site looks like it may even be an official government website and contains information such as maps of district lines and links to candidate’s websites.  It even includes links to register to vote or change your voter registration information – these links take you to either the State Board of Elections or Wake County Board of Elections website.

Its only when you click on the “Take Action” button and volunteer to help canvass voters or take voters to the polls that you will discover who may actually be behind the wakeelections.com website.  The contacts include Wake Up Wake County, Blueprint NC and Planned Parenthood Health Systems.

Here is the automatic message  receive when you signup to volunteer:

Thank you so much for agreeing to volunteer for the Wake GOTV effort. This is a nonpartisan campaign to increase voter turnout for the School Board Election. We see an important role for community members to play in reminding their neighbors to vote, sharing information on early and absentee voting, offering rides to the polls and encouraging higher civic participation. We thank you for signing up and you will get a call from the volunteer captain to confirm your participation and to answer any questions. Phone banking is from 5:30- 8:30 PM and will be held at 3020 Highwoods Blvd, Raleigh NC 27604. The Canvassers will meet at 2912 Highwoods Blvd, Raleigh NC 27604 at 9:00 am on Sept 10, 17 and 24. Parking is available in front of the buildings. In the meantime you can contact Tappan Vickery if you have agreed to volunteer for an event, Erin Byrd and Jessica Bearden if you have agreed to phone bank or canvass. Tappan Vickery email: tappan@wakeupwakecounty.org phone: 256-289-3248 Erin Byrd email: erin@blueprintnc.org phone: 919-609-1237 Jessica Bearden Laurenz email: jessica.bearden@pphsinc.org phone: 919-710-1441 Again, thank you so much. We love our volunteers!