JACKSON – Tony Burnette believes that the power to shape the future of Northampton County, the state and nation lies within the voting booth.

It’s for that reason he is helping to lead an effort to encourage Northampton County citizens to participate in the political process by casting a vote.

Beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday (March 5), the Northampton County NAACP is conducting “Souls to the Polls” day. Burnette, who serves as president of the Northampton County NAACP Chapter, said the event is a statewide initiative to assist in “turning out to vote.”

“This event is being held in every county in our state that has scheduled one of their early voting days on a Saturday prior to the March 15 Primary,” Burnette said. “We are urging all of our citizens to come out on Saturday and participate in the early voting process.”

A similar event will also be held in Ahoskie on Saturday.

Burnette said those wishing to participate are asked to gather at the Northampton County Cultural & Wellness Center, located on NC 305 just north of Jackson. From there the group will walk over to the county’s Board of Elections office, located across from the Center in the J.W. Faison Administrative Building.

Afterwards, a hamburger/hot dog cook-out will be held at the Center.

“It’s our time; it’s our vote; come out and let your voice be heard,” Burnette stated.

Burnette reminded those planning to take part in Saturday’s event to being an acceptable form of personal identification. The 2016 Primary marks the first time in North Carolina that a photo ID is required for a person to cast a ballot.

“If you can’t make it out this Saturday, please remember that early voting in our county lasts until March 12; or you can wait until the day of the Primary (March 15) to vote. The important thing is to exercise your right to vote,” Burnette said.

In Ahoskie on March 5, the Hertford County Branch of the NAACP and the Unity in the Community Forum will lead a “Souls to the Polls” event. Participants are urged to gather at 10 a.m. at No Man’s Land Park on Main Street (at the railroad crossing) from where the group will walk to Ahoskie Precinct #3 (the old R.L. Vann School on Holloman Ave.) to vote.

Another “Souls to the Polls” rally hosted by the Hertford County NAACP will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 12 in Murfreesboro. All participants are urged to meet at the Murfreesboro Library parking lot from where they will walk to the Precinct at the Murfree Center.