2026 Elections and What Democracy Means This Year

What if 2026 isn't just an election year, but the fight for representation itself? In this Season 6 premiere of Built by Us, host Kai McNeil sits down with Professor Dr. Irving Joyner from North Carolina Central University to examine the high stakes of the 2026 midterms and what democracy actually means for North Carolinians right now.

Professor Joyner, who has spent decades studying civil rights and constitutional law, traces the history of voting rights expansion in North Carolina from the groundbreaking introduction of early voting in 1991 to the historic 2008 and 2012 turnout when Black voter participation outpaced white voter participation for the first time. But he also unpacks the ongoing attacks on those gains, from voter ID laws to the racial gerrymandering that has left one party controlling nearly 80% of our congressional delegation despite North Carolina being a 50-50 purple state.

This episode breaks down what members of Congress, NC senators, and NC representatives actually do for everyday North Carolinians, not just the textbook definitions. From understanding provisional ballots to recognizing how gerrymandering in Congressional District 1 undermines fair representation, Professor Joyner explains why active participation matters now more than ever.

As we enter a critical year with US House, US Senate, and NC General Assembly races on the ballot, this conversation is essential listening for anyone who wants to understand the power they hold and the democracy they're fighting to protect.

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