Politics

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NEWS 8/26/24 10:54pm

Elon Town Council passes noise ordinance change

By Nia Bedard

After previously hearing from Elon Chief of Police Kelly Blackwelder on July 16, the town council unanimously approved changes to the town’s noise ordinance. Now with the new approved changes, a noise violation is classified as a civil violation with progressively increasing fines starting at $100. If violations continue, the fine increases to $200 and then $300 if violations continue within a 12-month period. However, police officers can still charge someone with a misdemeanor for a noise ordinance violation. Mayor Pro Tem Monti Allison said he thinks this change will positively affect the Elon community.

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NEWS 8/23/24 3:35am

‘They have coconut memes’: Harris-Walz campaign takes on social media

By Abby Gravely

When he opens his Instagram, 19-year-old political science student RJ Doroshewitz clicks through his stories and looks at reposts — not of cat videos or pop culture news, but of Kamala HQ, an official social media account for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. The account, now boasting over 3.8 million followers, posts videos of Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to popular audios and trends. This pop culture appeal is also found at the Democratic National Convention, where 200 content creators were invited to cover the four day event.

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NEWS 8/22/24 10:04am

Harris to accept presidential nomination, close out 2024 convention

By Erin Martin , Ryan Kupperman and Abby Gravely

Ending the week 'For Our Future,' the 2024 Democratic National Convention highlighted a variety of voices in an attempt to elect Vice President Kamala Harris as the nation's first female president, and first female president of color. So far, Chicago has heard from former U.S. Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, former president and former first lady Barack and Michelle Obama and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz — who accepted the Democratic nomination for vice president last night in the United Center. Tonight, Harris is expected to accept the presidential nomination. 

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NEWS 8/21/24 10:46pm

North Carolina Democrats gear up for Election Day

By Erin Martin

At the Democratic National Convention, the Democratic Party is intensifying its efforts to mobilize its base and address key issues on the ballot — particularly engaging younger voters and rallying support for judicial elections and redistricting in North Carolina. As chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, 25-year-old Anderson Clayton is the youngest chair of a state political party in the U.S. Clayton said she is enthusiastic about the state's youthful political energy.  

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NEWS 8/21/24 8:38pm

Trump visits North Carolina on campaign trail

By Anjolina Fantaroni

The grounds of the North Carolina Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame was filled with thousands of people waiting to hear from former President Donald Trump on Aug. 21. The rally marks Trump's first outdoor event since his assassination attempt on July 13. He spoke behind bulletproof glass, with increased security presence around the perimeter. Elon News Network was denied press credentials to film the podium area where Trump addressed the crowd. This rally took place at the same time as night three of the Democratic National Convention, which is located in Chicago.

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NEWS 8/21/24 10:44am

Democratic Party echoes ‘A Fight for Our Freedoms’

By Erin Martin , Ryan Kupperman and Abby Gravely

Democratic Party sets the scene for Wednesday night with theme ‘A Fight for Our Freedoms,’ in which the party will highlight how Harris will fight to protect the country’s freedom — while also portraying Trump’s candidacy as a threat and regression to these freedoms.  Attendees are expected to hear from Minnesota Gov. and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, former President Bill Clinton, and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi at the United Center later this evening. Programming is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Mayor of Chicago Brandon Johnson also spoke to North Carolina delegates this morning about North Carolina’s crucial role in this election.

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NEWS 8/20/24 8:54am

A Bold Vision for America’s Future takes center stage

By Erin Martin and Abby Gravely

As the Democratic National Convention transitions into its second day, the theme shifts from ‘For the People’ to ‘A Bold Vision for America’s Future.’ Today’s focus will spotlight the contrasting visions for the nation’s future, with Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz presenting their forward-looking agenda in supposed contrast to former President Donald Trump.

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NEWS 8/19/24 12:39pm

2024 DNC kicks off convention with ‘For the People’ motif

By Erin Martin and Ryan Kupperman

The 2024 Democratic National Convention kicked off in Chicago on Monday, Aug. 19 with a theme of ‘For the People,’ drawing in between 5,000 and 7,000 delegates and roughly 50,000 visitors throughout the week. The headline speakers anticipated to take the stage Monday evening include President Joe Biden, former U.S. Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Over the next four days, each day of the convention will have a unique theme centered around the Harris-Walz campaign.

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NEWS 8/16/24 8:54pm

Elon prepares for DNC, final months of presidential election

By Ryan Kupperman

The Democratic National Convention is set to kick off in Chicago on Monday, Aug. 19, hosting thousands of delegates from the country’s 50 states, District of Columbia and its territories. With President Joe Biden dropping out of the race less than a month before the convention, Vice President Kamala Harris now tops the Democratic ticket and has the chance to make history as the first woman, the first Black woman and the first South Asian American to hold the nation’s highest office. For an already unusual election, this year’s DNC has also gained national attention for its similarities with 1968’s DNC.

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NEWS 8/7/24 4:43pm

Attorney General campaigns for governor race at Burlington Dream Center

By Avery Sloan

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein emphasized improving the state’s public education system and urged people to vote — particularly in what Stein said will be a tough election. Stein, the Democratic candidate for governor, spoke Aug. 7 at CityGate Dream Center in Burlington. Stein told Elon News Network that college students specifically should elect him this November, as he is focusing on issues that will also matter in their future. Stein said his platforms include tackling the climate crisis, decreasing violent crime and protecting women’s reproductive rights.  Stein also said in this election, his vision is in competition with Republican governor candidate Mark Robinson’s campaign.

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NEWS 7/29/24 12:44pm

Elon community reacts to President Biden stepping down

By Nia Bedard

Just over a week ago, President Joe Biden announced that he would be stepping aside as the Democratic nominee just 107 days ahead of election day and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election. Since then, Harris has gained the endorsement of many high profile members of the Democratic Party. Now less than four months away from election day and a few weeks away from the Democratic National Convention, Elon professor of political science and policy studies Carrie Eaves said the final few months heading into this election will be unprecedented.

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NEWS 7/21/24 3:32pm

Joe Biden drops out of 2024 presidential election

By Nia Bedard

President Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential election in a letter posted to X on July 21. “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” Biden wrote in the letter. “While it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.” The last time an incumbent president declined to seek re-election was Lyndon B. Johnson in March 1968.

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NEWS 7/17/24 11:49am

Elon Town Council votes to close Aspen Avenue to vehicular traffic

By Nia Bedard

Following two years of discussion, Elon Town Council voted to close Aspen Avenue to vehicular traffic. Town Attorney Bob Hagemann explained that this includes automobiles, golf carts, low emission vehicles and other motorized vehicles – but will remain open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The council also discussed proposed changes to Elon’s town noise ordinance. The council aims to reclass a noise violation as a civil violation with a fine, as opposed  to the current ordinance which charges violators with a fine and a misdemeanor.

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NEWS 7/15/24 7:10pm

Elon University professors contextualize assassination attempt on Trump

By Ryan Kupperman

Less than 10 minutes after he took the stage at one of his political rallies, former President and 2024 presidential candidate Donald Trump was huddled away by secret service agents following multiple gun shots. According to Dillan Bono-Lunn, Elon professor of political science and policy studies, this incident is the most significant event of the election season so far. The attack came just days before the start of the Republican National Convention on July 15, where Trump announced Senator J.D. Vance as his vice president and running mate.

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NEWS 6/25/24 5:02pm

Elon Town Council explores re-opening Aspen Avenue to vehicles

By Nia Bedard

Elon’s Town Council met June 24 to a record turnout of citizen attendance to discuss the permanent closure of Aspen Avenue. The street is seven minutes away from Elon University in the Ashley Woods neighborhood and the closure borders between the town of Elon and the town of Gibsonville. The matter was reopened because the closure blocks a planned entrance into the Owen Parks subdivision, which is being built by property developer Matt Kirkpatrick. The council also made a proclamation declaring July as Parks and Recreation Month, approved capital funds and canceled two meetings in July.

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NEWS 4/29/24 9:36pm

Elon Town Council discusses fire inspectors, changes to fire lanes

By Miles Hayford

The Elon Town Council met on April 29 and focused on changes to the fire department and new policies the department will be enforcing. Previously, inspections were done by county inspectors at no cost. However, Elon is implementing a new method to directly hire inspectors. The council discussed how this change would force Elon citizens who own businesses to now need to pay for fire inspections out of their own pockets. Town of Elon Fire Chief Landon Massey said the town will be implementing a tiered system of charging inspections, which is currently being utilized by Durham’s fire departments. 

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NEWS 4/25/24 4:06pm

SGA aims to increase student awareness under Cote Administration

By Nia Bedard

After 20.4% of the student body voted in the 2024-25 student body elections — compared to the 29.9% that voted in the 2023-24 elections — junior Ella Kucera, vice president of communications, said she hopes to increase awareness of the function of Elon University’s Student Government Association. With the decrease in voter turnout for this past election, members of SGA, both current and former, said they hope they can increase voter turnout in future elections by educating the student body about what student government does and making itself more present on campus.

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NEWS 4/15/24 8:21pm

Elon Town Council discusses 2025 budget

By Miles Hayford

The Elon Town Council met on April 15 in a special work session to discuss Town Manager Rich Roedner’s proposed $10.9 million 2025 fiscal year budget. The council began the session by discussing the proposed fees for the 2025 budget. As a result of Burlington planning to raise their water fees by 4%, the council plans to match that raise. However, taxes would not be increased to cover these heightened fees.

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NEWS 4/9/24 10:18pm

Elon Town Council permanently extends social district boundaries

By Aidan Powley

Elon’s Town Council hosted their first meeting of April, where they unanimously decided on the permanent extension of the social district boundaries. The decision added North Holt Avenue and West College Avenue to the footprint of the social district, allowing patrons to utilize the Holt Avenue green space as a location to enjoy alcoholic beverages. It also opens the sidewalks up as a means of travel from North Holt Avenue to West College Avenue. The town council will meet next on Monday, April 15 to debate the 2025 proposed budget.

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NEWS 4/9/24 7:48pm

Elon Town Council to debate potential 7.4% increase for personnel on proposed 2025 budget

By Emilio Nunez

Rising personnel costs dominate Elon town manager’s proposed $10.9 million fiscal year 2025 budget, which the town council plans to debate during a work session April 15. Though the overall budget is up only 2% from last year, town manager Richard Roedner is proposing a 7.4% increase in personnel costs. Elon’s $2.4 million police personnel budget would stay flat under the proposal. The town’s total personnel budget would increase by $462,315 to $6.7 million. Mayor Emily Sharpe said one of the main topics for the council to discuss was opening new proposed positions for different departments.

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