I was a NC poll observer. You’d be heartened by what I saw.

Poll observer

I worked as an inside poll observer during early voting in Wake County and was posted at six locations for a total of 35 hours. I was able to study the entire process of in-person voting and curbside voting.

I left impressed by how professional and efficient the operations were at each site. When problems arose, they were resolved expeditiously, and voters were able to cast their ballot. When I had a question about something I saw, the election judge took the time to explain what happened and how it was resolved. Everybody was treated with respect, and first-time voters were cheered.

The information verification at the application table, cross-checking at the ballot table, error-checking at the ballot scanners, and the frequent audits that made sure every ballot was accounted for assured me that opportunities for an honest mistake, much less any malfeasance, were almost nonexistent. I applaud the Wake County Board of Elections and its workers for a job stunningly well-done.

Curtis Kasefang, Raleigh

Soft on crime?

During the midterm election, Democrats fended off unsupported charges of being soft on crime while violence in this country continues to be minimized and justified by politicians and extremists on the right.

The most astounding political violence in this country since 9/11 was the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol. Citizens were incited to fight like hell, storm the Capitol, assault police, and threaten the lives of members of Congress. Candidates who incited the violence saying the election was stolen are complicit in the violence.

How bold of them to accuse Democrats of being soft on crime.

Dan Darnell, Durham

Guns

Raleigh has joined the growing list of American cities where our tragic love affair with firearms is on gruesome display. Children (and adults) are needlessly dying because we, the adults, refuse to take effective action to protect them.

No amount of prayer or hand wringing will slow the carnage. Only sane public health measures, including tighter firearm regulations, will lessen this tragedy.

How many more lives must be sacrificed on the blood-stained altar of the Second Amendment before we end this tawdry affair that is poisoning our democracy?

Doug Jennette, Raleigh

Raleigh housing

The writer was Raleigh’s Planning Director from 2005-2014.

Great cities must have housing options. Raleigh’s recently adopted “missing middle” housing designation offers more choice and affordability.

Missing middle housing fills an important gap by offering units for sale or rent that complement the scale of low-density neighborhoods — ideally in walkable communities.

In the last two decades, Raleigh welcomed 204,000 new residents. Raleigh is already experiencing a housing shortage and when that happens, housing of all types become less affordable.

What can be done knowing that rapid growth will continue? Increase density, expand housing supply and allow more housing types for singles, couples, families and households of all forms.

Missing middle housing will promote inclusive neighborhoods by welcoming veterans, working families, government employees, first-time buyers, retirees and young professionals to enjoy our diverse neighborhoods and share in the prosperity that made this city great.

We need to give missing middle housing a chance to work. Let us continue to champion neighborhoods for all.

Mitchell Silver, Raleigh

Sidewalks

On a recent Saturday I tried to walk to my local grocery store. Halfway through the walk, I faced a decision to either turn back or walk on a sliver of asphalt next to cars speeding by at 45 mph. I glumly turned back.

We all feel the growing pains of the Raleigh-Durham area. The poverty rate in Durham is around 20%, which is higher than many towns in North Carolina. With an income below the poverty line, it is extremely difficult to own a car. So a lot of people rely on public transportation, walking or biking to get to work. Incidents of pedestrians being hit and critically injured or killed compound the issue.

How can expect people to feel safe walking to work on tattered or nonexistent sidewalks?

Heather Lenzmeier, Durham

NC legislature

The midterm elections left North Carolina one House seat away from a two-person autocracy. The legislature for some time has been controlled by two people. I am not sure this is what the writers of the N.C. Constitution had in mind when they established a government with three equal branches.

Larry Wolf, Garner

Drug prices

Some Republicans have said if they become the majority in Congress, they will try to overturn legislation allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices. This is inconsistent with their “efforts” to reduce the federal deficit. Lowering drug prices actually helps the government, as well as its citizens. Individuals reduce their healthcare costs, some of which may have otherwise been a tax deduction. Without the deduction, the government receives more tax revenue. So who are Republicans trying to help? Not you or me. Just themselves through campaign contributions.

Karen Schellhorn, Chapel Hill