New Hanover County NAACP leads Souls to the Polls march in downtown Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The New Hanover County NAACP took to the streets on Sunday for their Souls to the Polls march, an event aimed at promoting voter participation. 

Beginning at St. Stephen AME Church and ending at early voting locations at Cape Fear Community College, the march included some candidates vying for positions on the New Hanover County School Board and Board of Commissioners. 

The “Souls to the Polls” movement, which began in Florida in the 1990s, has since become a celebratory occasion to encourage voting. 

President of the New Hanover County NAACP LeRon Montgomery noted the historical significance of the march, highlighting the sacrifices made by civil rights activists to ensure voting rights for all Americans. 

“Some have died and gave their life just for us to have the privilege to go vote,” Montgomery said. “So we want to spread that message and encourage everyone to take advantage of our right to vote.” 

As participants made their way to the polling stations, they sang “We Shall Overcome,” symbolizing the ongoing struggle for equity in the electoral process.