Lynn McGee
Chair, Orange County Democratic Party

May 3, 2026

As we move into a busy and important stretch for our party, I want to begin with a heartfelt thank you to our volunteers. Your dedication is the foundation of everything we do. Whether you’ve been organizing, communicating, showing up to events, or supporting behind the scenes, your time and commitment truly make the difference. Our strength as an organization comes directly from your willingness to step up and serve. Thank you again for all your efforts.

We are also preparing for the upcoming Congressional District 4 Convention on May 9th, an important moment for shaping our direction and ensuring strong representation. I encourage all delegates to stay engaged, review materials as they become available, and be ready for a productive and organized convention. Your participation helps ensure that our process is inclusive, effective, and reflective of our shared values.

There are many events planned, and with your continued involvement, I am confident in what we can accomplish together. Many events are focused on the fall elections which are key to winning elections for democrats. Let’s focus on getting out the vote to elect Roy Cooper to the US Senate, and elect Justice Anita Earls to retain her NC Supreme Court seat.

March 28, 2026

Orange County Democratic Party Convention

Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in the Orange County Democratic Party Convention on March 28 at A.L. Stanback Middle School. Your energy, commitment, and engagement make our party strong and help us move forward. A special, heartfelt thank you to all our volunteers who kept everything running smoothly.

Congratulations to the following people who were elected to serve on the Judicial, House District 50, and Senatorial Executive committees:

• Judicial Executive Committee members: Michael Fath (Rogers-Eubanks) and Karen Macklin (Kings Mill)
• NC House District 50 Executive Committee members: Deniese Chaney (Cheeks) and Vicki Hill (Caldwell)
• NC Senate District 23 Executive Committee members: Bonnie Bevan (Kings Mill) and Kenneth Woods (Cheeks)

February 19, 2026

A Tribute to Rev. Jessie Jackson

Rev. Jesse Jackson’s life stands as a testament to courage, conviction, and an unshakable belief in justice. While Rev. Jackson grew up in segregated Greenville, S.C., he spent his formative years in North Carolina attending A&T State University in the early 1960s. As a student at A&T, he became active in local civil-rights protests against segregated libraries, theaters, and restaurants.

Rev. Jackson’s years in Greensboro made him a lifetime advocate of civil rights, including voting rights, collective action and social justice. His civil rights activism was about demanding recognition of shared humanity which was embodied by his concept of the Rainbow Coalition: a multicultural political alliance uniting diverse, marginalized groups.

Greatness often grows from local roots and Rev. Jackson’s journey from Guilford County to the national stage is a reminder. His life challenges us to remain engaged, to speak out when silence would be easier, and to organize when change feels distant. In honoring him, we honor the enduring power of youth-led movements, the legacy of the A&T students who took the simple but profound act of sitting down peacefully to stand up for what is right. Rest in peace, Rev. Jackson. You deserve it.

February 6, 2026

On February 3, 2026, the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) issued a release announcing it is sending letters to more than 241,000 North Carolina voters with unvalidated identification numbers. The letter informs affected voters that the identification numbers they provided when registering to vote (driver’s license or social security numbers) do not validate in governmental databases.

The NCSBE’s letter encourages affected voters to update their voter registration by providing their driver’s license or social security numbers or by ensuring the name on their voter registration matches other official government records.

There are 2,500 Orange County voters who have been mailed the letter. They can complete the form at the bottom of the letter or contact the Orange County Board of Elections at vote@orangecountync.gov to update their voter registration.

When affected voters go to vote they will be asked if they want to update their information. Regardless of whether a voter updates their information, they will still vote using a regular ballot not a provisional ballot.

January 27, 2026

In a time of nonstop headlines and manufactured distractions, we must stay focused on our core mission: electing Democrats who govern like Democrats. Just this past week, seven Democratic members of Congress joined Republicans to vote for the Homeland Security funding bill (H.R. 7147), which increased funding for ICE. Among the seven was NC Representative Don Davis who stated he voted for the bill because it included funding for FEMA. Democrats should not vote with Republicans on policies that harm immigrant families and vulnerable communities just because their district may not get FEMA funding. This is unconscionable. We cannot pretend it doesn’t matter.

The truth is uncomfortable, but necessary when some elected officials who campaign as Democrats do not consistently govern as Democrats. When legislators break with Democratic values and caucus priorities, it undermines our credibility with voters and weakens our ability to fight for justice, equity, and working families.

To hold Democrats elected to the North Carolina General Assembly (GA) accountable, the North Carolina Democratic Party (NCDP) has established a policy with clear expectations. When GA Democratic lawmakers repeatedly vote to override the Democratic Governor’s vetoes without the permission of their respective Democratic caucus leader, as we have seen in recent years with Democrats such as Trisha Cotham, Carla Cunningham, and others, there will be consequences. These consequences include withholding all the free items, for the balance of their term, that are extended to all Democratic candidates, including the most valuable resource-VoteBuilder. This is not punishment– it is clarity. A party without standards is not a party, it is a label. I commend this policy shift by NCDP.

This moment demands being courageous, not self-serving. If we want to win elections and deserve the trust of our communities, we must support candidates who are willing to stand firm for democratic principles and not drift when it is politically easy.

January 1, 2026

Happy New Year from the Chair

As we step into 2026, we must focus on action, organization, and resolve by using our strength, discipline, and power. The upcoming primary election is an opportunity to train our volunteers and supporters to run a cohesive and effective ground game that carries us through to the Fall midterm elections.  It is as critical as ever to roll up those sleeves and support our efforts to win back our power by electing democratic candidates.

The first quarter of 2026 is the time to build a bigger and better trained volunteer team to register new voters, mobilize voters by canvassing all precincts, and provide voter protection to thwart voter suppression.  Every voter deserves to cast a ballot safely and confidently. 

We need your help! Please volunteer here to power the work ahead

In 2026, Let’s pledge to: “Get Out the Vote,” win elections and “Save Democracy.

December 23, 2025

Holiday Message from the Chair

As we close out the year, we want to thank every volunteer, organizer, donor, and supporter who make the Orange County Democratic Party strong and impactful. Your dedication and hard work truly matter, and we appreciate all your efforts.

As we move into the holiday season, we hope you are able to enjoy time with family, friends, and neighbors, and take a moment to rest and recharge.

The 2026 election cycle is already underway, and the work ahead will require all of us to stand united, engaged, and ready to participate. We must stay focused on how the actions of the current administration are affecting our economy and our daily lives, while working to restore and strengthen the guardrails that protect our democracy.

Together, we will help elect the best Democratic candidates, rebuild our power, and defend the values we share. Thank you for all you do, and for standing with us as we move into a critical year ahead.