Schwarzenegger pumps up election officials

Nov. 3—LENOIR — Film legend, former professional bodybuilder, and 38th California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger surprised election workers across North Carolina Monday morning (Oct. 31) when he spoke on a video call to motivate them for the final stretch before the Nov. 8 election.

Schwarzenegger called the workers from the 100 county boards of elections in North Carolina "the true democracy action heroes."

Chad Barnes, director of Caldwell County Board of Elections, said Schwarzenegger's presence on the Zoom call was unexpected.

"He was very encouraging, which was nice," said Barnes. "I think it's fantastic that he did that, I think that was great."

Schwarzenegger told the election officials, "We never should forget the people who work at the poll sites and that really organize and make it possible for us to vote."

"I just want to pump you up and say you are extremely important. You are doing a fantastic job," he said. "There is no job that is more important right now, this next week, than your job."

Schwarzenegger also mentioned the well-documented threats and harassment of elections official over the past couple of years.

"I know poll workers have a tough time this time. People try to intimidate them. People try to threaten them," he said. "But nothing should intimidate you because whatever you do, it is such wonderful, wonderful work to make it possible for all of us to vote and to participate in this democracy."

Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections, recruited Schwarzenegger through contacts at the University of Southern California's Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy.

"I wanted to show our election workers how much folks appreciate the work they do to secure our elections and ensure all eligible voters can cast ballots," Brinson Bell said. "Who could possibly be better to pump us up for November 8? Thank you, Governor Schwarzenegger, for providing an unforgettable moment for our team."

Elections are feats of logistics, and the bipartisan county boards of elections and poll workers provide the manpower and skill to pull them off.

"We appreciate our election officials," said Barnes.

Election Day is five days away, and early and absentee voting are under way in North Carolina.

"It's picking up like it always does towards the end of the period," Barnes said. "People trying to make the deadline before Saturday. Everything's going smoothly. It's going pretty steady in Granite Falls, as well, and hopefully those numbers will increase."

"We encourage folks to take advantage of early voting," he added. " We're here, and we're hoping more folks will come out and vote early."

Across North Carolina, 359 early voting sites are open now for voters. On Election Day, more than 2,650 polling places will be open statewide.

"All of these voting sites are operated by election workers of all political stripes. These are your friends, your neighbors, fellow members of your community," Brinson Bell said. "They make sure you can cast your ballot and that it counts. Please say thanks when you go vote."

As of Thursday evening, (Nov.3), 13,299 Caldwell County citizens have voted during the One-Stop/Early Voting period. Voters have until Saturday, Nov. 5 to vote early at one of two polling places: Shuford Recreation Center (56 Pinewood Road, Granite Falls) and the Caldwell County Library, Lower Level (120 Hospital Avenue, Lenoir). Polls are open 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Citizens are reminded that if they do not vote early and choose to vote on Election Day, they must vote in their assigned precinct. All polling places will be open Election Day including West Lenoir School in the gymnasium, precinct 13.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Polls will be open that day from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.