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North Carolina primary voters share why they chose to cast a ballot

A red and white polling place sign.
David Ford
/
WFDD
Signs directed voters to a new location for casting ballots at Salem Chapel in Winston-Salem.

Overcast skies and cool temperatures didn't dampen Election Day enthusiasm for the primary on Tuesday. WFDD was at the Salem Chapel polling location in Winston-Salem, asking voters what motivated them to cast their ballot.

Cindy Silver: "I'm here at the polls because it is so very important to cast my vote for the local community and the state and beyond." 

Ellen Heck: "I'm trying to be more active locally, but I focused more on the school board this time."

Mike Capristo: "It's the only primary that we have right now, so we're voting. It's always important to vote." 

Camille Smith: "I think we need some new people brought in. I want Roy Cooper for sure. He's reliable, and he's got a good head on his shoulders. And it doesn't have to be partisan." 

Glenda Shepard: "It's my right, and my foreparents’ parents, a lot of them, didn't have that opportunity. But I do, you know, and so I'm gonna exercise my right."

Before his arrival in the Triad, David had already established himself as a fixture in the Austin, Texas arts scene as a radio host for Classical 89.5 KMFA. During his tenure there, he produced and hosted hundreds of programs including Mind Your Music, The Basics and T.G.I.F. Thank Goodness, It's Familiar, which each won international awards in the Fine Arts Radio Competition. As a radio journalist with 88.5 WFDD, his features have been recognized by the Associated Press, Public Radio News Directors Inc., Catholic Academy of Communication Professionals, and Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas. David has written and produced national stories for NPR, KUSC and CPRN in Los Angeles and conducted interviews for Minnesota Public Radio's Weekend America.