Ever IG-stalk your political heroes? Well, Quay has. In this episode of Down Ballot Banter, we’re joined by Blair Reeves, the man behind Carolina Forward, who’s been out here fighting the good fight for state-level sanity (think: keeping loaded AR-15s out of schools – yep, that was almost a thing). We break down why local elections matter, how gerrymandering makes everything messier, and why building trust in a world of misinformation is harder than finding a parking spot in downtown Durham.

In the debut episode of Down Ballot Banter, hosts Monèt Noelle Marshall and Quay Weston kick off the conversation about the world of local politics. Have you ever wondered how local elections impact your daily life? From zoning laws to public schools, these often-overlooked decisions shape our communities in surprising ways. Monèt and Quay share personal stories—state-level impacts on preserving family land to federal-level policy on domestic workers and farmers—demonstrating why political engagement at all levels is so crucial. Join them on this journey to break down local elections, get informed, and even laugh a little while learning how to make your voice heard!

Sketches of Pitt County, a brief history of the county, 1704-1910 (page 71)

Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act