By Cash Michaels
Contributing Writer
With One Stop Early Voting/Same Day Registration officially beginning today across North Carolina (Oct. 15-31st), the common theme for this 2026 midterm election on Nov. 3rd is making a change in order to bring gasoline, food and other cost of living prices down, and choosing which political party in Congress and the NC General Assembly should be in the best position to do that going forward.
For African-Americans and other communities of color, voting in the midterms is considered critical, and many in Black leadership are sending the message that the Black community has power in its vote, and can help to change negative policies for the better.
“The 2026 midterm elections will shape the future of our communities, and it starts with a plan,” the national NAACP says on its website. “We, the People” are stronger when we show up together.”
As evidenced of that mantra, the website “Word in Black” published an article titled “The Fight for the Black Vote is Already Underway,” stating in part, “…some of the nation’s most influential Black political and civil rights organizations are pouring money, organizers and old-fashioned shoe leather into an unusually aggressive effort to turn out Black voters — particularly young people, rural residents and people who typically skip elections when the presidency isn’t on the ballot.”
The “Word in Black” article continued that part of that effort came recently when “…the Congressional Black Caucus Institute launched “SO VOTE,” a multimillion-dollar campaign aimed at turning out voters in some of the country’s most competitive congressional races.”
Another important effort to galvanize the Black vote has been launched by Bishop William Barber, former president of the NC NAACP.
Today, as president and senior lecturer of Repairer’s of the Breach, and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, Bishop Barber has launched “100 Days of Voter Mobilization,” a national campaign across the country, including North Carolina, designed to encourage a diversity of communities to “organize their households, streets, and organizations to ensure their voices are heard at the polls.”
During a recent stop in Ashville, Bishop Barber said “…some folks have let the bear sleep. The bear’s awake now,” meaning that people of color particularly realize that they have the power through their votes to make the necessary changes needed in public office to help end the corruption and negative policies.
Congressman Jim Clyburn, 86, longtime Democrat from South Carolina, warned African-Americans to focus on issues like affordability when they vote, and not to be “fooled” by President Donald Trump’s promises. He also chided the Republican-led Congress for trying to eliminate Black congressional representation through redistricting , including his own long held seat.
Some advocates say because it is crucial that all of the Black community be engaged for the 2026 midterm elections, they’re concerned that once again, the effort to make that happen has begun too late.
“For decades, Black voters have been among the most reliable constituencies in American politics, especially for Democrats. But reliability should not be confused with automatic enthusiasm, “ cautioned Rev. Aaron Phillips of the Cleveland Clergy Coalition for the website RealPower TV. “I continue to sound the alarm that voter advocacy groups and campaigns wait too late to engage Black Voters. This approach continues to risk turning a dependable base into an under-mobilized one.”
“Black voters are not a monolith,” Rev. Phillips continued. “Age, geography, gender, education, economic pressure, and trust in political institutions all shape how voters respond in elections. Since Obama, younger Black voters have been showing signs of impatience with traditional appeals based solely on party loyalty or historic civil rights symbolism.”
Rev. Phillips concluded, “In 2026, the message is simple: stop taking Black Voters for granted. Black voters should be courted, heard, and respected. Until this message is seriously received, we will continue to face low voter turnout in our community.”
