THE PENDULUM

 The three actors encouraged students to vote, and to vote early.  

“As important as voting is, early voting is almost more important,” Lovejoy said. “There are only a certain amount of hours in the day, and when the polls close on November 4, that’s it. Early voting ensures that you vote.”

The group visited several different locations in the state, including Raleigh, Charlotte and Duke University. Lovejoy said they chose N.C. because it's expected to have close results.  

“This state is especially important,” she said. “It has to be about everyone showing up and voting.” 

Coleman explained his reasons for supporting Obama, noting he’s concerned about the current state of the country and believes the Democratic candidate will effect change if elected. 

“We all know the mess we’re in right now,” he said. “Obama will do great things to change the perceptions of Americans.” 

Coleman said that change depends on the public’s participation in the political process. He urged students to vote, tell their friends to vote and dispel misinformation about the voting process.  

Hector agreed and told the audience that it was important to not only vote, but encourage others to do so, as well. 

“It’s great if you vote, but you should be concerned if someone you know isn’t voting, too,” Hector said. “Early voting is a great opportunity and I hope that everyone is taking advantage of it.” 

College Democrats sponsored the actors’ visit in conjunction with the Obama campaign. 

“I think a lot of times, celebrity endorsements are overblown,” Daniel Shutt, president of College Democrats, said. “But in this case, they are really trying to use their influence to try and encourage people to take part in the process.”  

Shutt said some students in the audience might have come to the event only because they like “The Wire,” but were encouraged to vote early and volunteer during the final days of Obama’s campaign. 

Coleman pointed to the close results of recent presidential elections as prime examples of reasons to vote.  

“We can’t take this for granted,” he said. “We saw what happened four years ago. We need every vote.”  

Lovejoy said she believes early voting is the best way to ensure that each voter’s voice is heard. She chose to vote early, using a “paper ballot and ink,” because of the contested results of the past two presidential elections. 

She added that the youth vote is more important than ever in this election.

Obama’s campaign has made a concerted effort to draw young people to the polls by emphasizing a grassroots approach and making full use of technologies such as text messaging and the Internet.   

“I think the young people are going to make this election,” Lovejoy said. “They’ve been so inspired, because they finally see change.”