THE CASH STUFF FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026

CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG POLICE CHIEF ESTELLA PATTERSON

THREE CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG 

POLICE OFFICERS RESIGN AFTER 

INTERNAL PROBE OF RACIST TEXTS

By Cash Michaels

Contributing writer

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella Patterson, an African-American woman, expressed “disgust, anger and frustration” after an internal CMPD investigation revealed six CMPD officers engaged in racist and sexist text messages targeting Black residents. Three of those suspected officers have now resigned from the force. Chief Patterson told reporters that she hopes to soon also call the other three “former employees.”

"The allegations against them are serious, they're deeply troubling, and frankly, I'm disappointed that we're even having to talk about this," Patterson, who formerly served as chief of the Raleigh Police Dept., told reporters during a briefing Oct. 15th. "As a Black woman who began my career here in this very department, it's especially painful and disheartening to hear concerns from our community about racism coming from within the ranks of this organization."

Three of the officers accused were hired before Chief Patterson’s tenure, although all of them were hired within the last three years, according to WCNC-TV. Still, she expressed her commitment to ensure citizens that racist and sexist attitudes among CMPD officers would not become a “systemic problem.”

"I have not read all the messages," she continued. "I can share with you that the biases show racial [and] sexual [prejudices]. They also show religious biases... My personal reaction is one of disgust, anger, frustration," she said.

Legally, Chief Patterson said she is not allowed to reveal any specific information about the internal investigation, including the text messages. The case is considered a personnel matter, and the officers involved can only be officially terminated by the Civil Service Board. Patterson assured that all traffic stops, data from those traffic stops, along with body-worn video and arrest records from those officers were reviewed, along with any public complaints.

Even though there were no public complaints, or evidence of racial or sexual bias beyond the text messages, Chief Patterson said she is asking for a federal investigation into possible civil rights violations by the officers. In the meantime, she is seeking to revoke the law enforcement certifications of the six officers so that they cannot be hired by any other police agency in North Carolina.

"I hope they will not be an officer anywhere in this country," Patterson added.

Even though the CMPD cannot release specific information about the racist/sexist text messages in question, local television outlets in Charlotte have reported at least one of the accused officers sent a message earlier this year saying that “ their "texts sound like a clan rally”, and that one of the text threads "included a contest over who could pull over the most Black drivers,” repeatedly using the N-word while discussing “"using force and firing on Black residents."

Reportedly, the allegations grew out of the probe of CMPD Officer Seth Elliott for alleged misuse of the Flock license plate surveillance network, for which he’s now facing criminal charges for. It was his phone that was downloaded by investigators that revealed the the racist/sexist text thread involving other officers.

The text message case has attracted the attention of several in the civil rights community, including famed civil rights attorney and North Carolina native Benjamin Crump.

"A badge should NEVER be a license for discrimination!" Crump wrote on X. "These allegations call into question traffic stops and use-of-force incidents involving these officers!"

Other attorneys are suggesting that any cases where the accused officers are involved should be “frozen” until the internal investigation is completed.

The three remaining officers have been suspended from the CMPD without pay.

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EARLY VOTING IN NORTH CAROLINA

BEGINS WITH A ROAR, AS VOTERS 

EAGER TO CAST BALLOTS SHOW UP

By Cash Michaels

Contributing writer

After several days, early voting in North Carolina for the 2026 midterm elections is breaking records as citizens are lining up across the state to cast their ballots either for or against candidates in local, state and federal offices.

On Oct. 15th, the first day of One Stop Early Voting across the state, a record 237,541 ballots total were cast (which included 201,609 in-person votes; 29,631 civilian mail-in votes; 753 military mail-in votes; and 5,548 overseas votes), comprising 3.01% of the total eligible voters registered in North Carolina. 

That 201,609 in-person total ballots on the first day of early voting for the 2026 midterms in North Carolina also surpassed the previous first day in-person early voting record of 137,387 in 2022, an increase of 46.7% over four years ago.

In terms of voting by race on the first day of early midterm voting, while white turnout statewide on the first day of early voting was 156,552 or 66% of the vote Oct. 15th, Black voters comprised 56, 057, or 24% of the first day early vote.

Those numbers are significant taking into account North Carolina’s voter registration statistics by race. Whites comprise 63%, and Black voters are registered at 19%, while voters who describe themselves as “other” are 18%.

In that same vein, the first day of early midterm voting saw Democrats lead the way with 111,484 for 47% of the total turnout, Republicans with 46,341 for 20% of turnout, and unaffiliated at 79,256 for 33% of turnout.

In North Carolina, unaffiliated voters lead all with over 40% of voters registered, followed Republicans with 30% registered, and then Democrats with over 29%.

Michael Bitzer with the Center for NC Politics & Public Service at Catawba College further analyzed who came out to vote on the first day of 2026 midterm early voting in North Carolina, and offered the following:

“One final data point to watch over the next two-plus weeks: are these early voters ‘high propensity’ voters, meaning they voted in the four past elections, and if so, what is their party breakdowns and are they using the same vote methods as they cast a ballot in the past?”

2026 midterm early voting will last from Oct. 15th to Oct. 31st. The total number of voters who participated in the 2022 midterm early voting in North Carolina was a record 3,786,904. 

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THE CASH COMMENTARY FOR OCT. 22, 2026

                                                                 CASH MICHAELS
              

                                                    MIKE AND MARTHA

by Cash Michaels

You know how when we see someone who is in a military uniform out in public, we  instinctively, as Americans, thank them for their service? We tell them that because we understand the tremendous risks and sacrifices that service members endure to be in uniform to defend this nation. To answer the call when needed, despite family or other personal interests, willing to give even their very lives to protect the homeland.

There is no question that we owe these people our highest respect and honor.

But I’ve always believed that in addition to our military, historically there have been other Americans who have given their last measure to also serve this nation for unselfish reasons we rarely recognize as intrinsic to our national character and legacy. 

         For instance, the brave citizens of all colors, nationalities and faiths who served us well in the civil rights movement. These were brave and defiant people who decided America was headed in the wrong direction when it came to living up to the true meaning of its creed that all men and women are created equal, and with nothing more than love in their hearts for their fellow man and courage of character, these brave souls, again of all colors, openly challenged the power structure of this nation to become a more inclusive society.

These are people who in my opinion, had every bit as much courage as our military, to stand up without weapons, and face down the agents of racial hatred and inequality, and I forever thank them for their service as well.

And then there are dedicated citizens like Mike and Martha, two extraordinary souls I met on October 15th - the first day of early voting in North Carolina - at the Herbert C.Young Community Center in Cary. Mike and Martha are election officials, or more commonly known as “poll workers.”

The North Carolina Board of Elections has another moniker for Mike, Martha, and the thousands of other dedicated poll workers who man our precincts during early voting and Election Day - they’re called “Democracy Heroes.”

According to the NCSBE website, Democracy Heroes are, “Election officials [who] operate the polls during early voting and on Election Day by providing services such as setting up the voting equipment, checking in voters, processing ballots, assisting voters with special needs, and closing and securing the voting site at the end of the day.”

“To qualify to work as an election official, the applicant must be a registered voter who resides in the precinct where they wish to serve. To serve as an election worker on Election Day, you must be a registered voter or be a high school student who is at least 17 years old and in good academic standing.”

During my many years of voting, most of the poll workers I’ve had the pleasure to meet during either early voting or on Election Day have either been older, retired citizens or younger college students - all extremely helpful. And since I’ve been physically handicapped since the end of the pandemic and have had to use curbside voting regularly since, I’ve really come to appreciate the devotion to duty and detail these Democracy Heroes display when they assist those of us who cannot physically wait on long lines to cast a ballot.

On October 15th at the Herbert C. Young Center in Cary, Mike and Martha were just two of the many dedicated poll workers there making sure that the rules were being followed, and every voter who came to cast a ballot, was properly processed to do so. 

Think about it. We just couldn’t run elections in this state or nation properly without dedicated citizens like Mike or Martha. And it is truly a damn shame when hard working poll workers like these have been unduly accused of  “rigging elections” when certain candidates of a certain political party lose and need someone else to blame for their lackluster showing.

I, for one, am extremely thankful for these Democracy Heroes because in my experience, I’ve learned to trust them having closely watched how hard they’ve worked to make sure our elections are fair, honest and orderly. I would certainly trust any “Mike” or “Martha” election poll worker before I would a lying partisan hack who’s ready at a drop of a hat to yell “rigged election” without any evidence.

In fact, with just a few precious days left to go for early voting before the November 3rd midterm Election Day, better brace yourself for any and all election tricks coming from the Trump Administration in an attempt to screw up the results so they won’t look as bad as projected to be for Republicans. 

It’s shame that in what’s supposed to be a free nation, we are all expecting armed troops to show up at various polling places, with some actually seizing ballots after the vote. We can also expect Republican officials to play games with election results after changing the rules so that any crazy challenge will carry some weight.

When all is said and done, good, honest, trusted people like Mike and Martha are the rock solid foundation our voting system needs and counts on to get it right more times the not.

And that’s why every time I vote, I make sure I thank any and every election poll worker who has helped me fulfill my civic duty. Without a “Mike” or “Martha,” neither I, nor millions of other voters, could get it done.

There’s just a few more days of One Stop Early Voting/Same Day Registration left, ending on Saturday, October 31st at 3 p.m.. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd with polls opening at 6:30 a.m., closing at 7:30 p.m. that day.

Nothing really gets decided without your vote, so make sure you cast it!

And before I go, please allow me to tip my hat to the record turnout of early voters across the state (237,541), and particularly the hundreds of students who took to the streets of Greensboro from NC A&T University, Bennett College for Women and UNC-Greensboro to march a mile to the polls on Oct.15th, the first day in North Carolina for One Stop Early Voting. It was a sight to see, and sent a strong message to the Republican-led Guilford County Board of Elections - go ahead and shut down our campus polling place, but you will NEVER shutdown our right to vote!

I’m proud of those students! We all should be. This is their country too!

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THE CASH COMMENTARY FOR OCTOBER 15TH, 2026

                                                           

                                                                    CASH MICHAELS

      

  THE ART OF VOTING

                                            by Cash Michaels

Voting is very precious to me, because voting is very precious to my community.

I still remember, with fondness, when I covered the historic presidential campaign of Barack Obama back in 2008, and how proud many younger, and older African-Americans were to be casting a ballot for the very first time in history for a Black president. Something none of us thought we’d ever see or be able to do in our lifetime. As a result of our vote, and other likeminded Americans, many of our children grew up knowing what it felt like to have a Black man as president. That gave us all tremendous pride. We had fulfilled one of Dr. King's dreams.

It has become cliche to say that courageous people of all colors and genders gave their lives so that future generations would have the privilege of casting ballots for the candidates of their choice, candidates for public office who would wisely guide our cities, states and nation through a myriad of public issues so that we all could benefit.

It should be also said that voting is voice, voting is being heard among the many being served as to what direction the majority of us believe we should be headed in.

But more than anything, voting is pride, it is civic duty carried out to show proof that when done right, our national Constitution is working, and doing so with dignity and honor.

Election Day is the one day we can all point to in our society where there should be no difference between rich or poor, Black or White, Jew or Gentile. When it comes to casting a ballot, all of us should have the same power, the same weight. Every vote should equal another. Every voice that participates should be heard, and every American story should be respected.

I write all of the above because when I take a moment to think about Election Days past, I think of long and winding lines of African-American citizens mostly, patiently waiting for their individual turn to cash that promissory note of freedom they were assured of by those who not too long ago told truth to power that we would be able to do so.

When you look at the faces of people in those lines, of parents holding the hands of their young children; or young people holding the hand of their elder parent or grandparent; or college students proudly casting their first vote ever because of what they learned in class or from a demonstration they participated in on campus; or the working class single mother or truck driver who has listened to all of the politicians, and hope for a better day; or the businessperson who feels that a vote for the right candidate keeps this nation on the right track towards economic prosperity; or  the citizen on public assistance who hopes, through that vote, that one day they and their family can get off of welfare, and begin to build a productive life for the future; or the retired citizen who has always voted, and feels a deep investment in the future and direction of a country they helped to build; or that retired military veteran who understands the meaning of freedom, and has put their life on the line for this country in order to sustain the precious right to vote, and plans to do it again and again when called to….when you think of all of these proud American citizens, and the personal stories and obligations they bring with them to the ballot box in their local communities, you just have to shake your head and smile.

These beautiful people deserve the best country possible. They deserve good government on all levels, regardless of political party, that is functioning properly, in the common best interest and by the rule of law.

Damn it, they deserve government that they can trust!

Ideally, that’s what they’re voting for. Keeping the streets safe, the utilities flowing and a U.S. Constitution that speaks to all - that’s all we ask. As citizens, we’ll take it from there.

That’s what Election Day is all about.  The candidates who can articulate all of that precisely, competently and honestly, have our vote.

It should be that simple, but unfortunately, in this age of the reckless campaign commercial that seeks not to inform us, but to scare us, and make us afraid of one another, it’s not. Based on this unpleasant reality, each and every citizen who plans to vote has to do their homework and decide, “What kind of country, state or city do I want to live in?” Ultimately, the candidate you choose is based on that question. Thus the old tried and true saying, 

“Elections have consequences.”

As for those of you who don’t vote, who don’t participate in the political process or opportunity to choose your leaders, don’t even take the time to read a news story about what’s going on in your country, I feel sorry for you.

You are one of those people who go on through life thinking that what happens in Washington, D.C. or Jones Street in Raleigh doesn’t affect you, but it does. Decisions are being made everyday without you, whether you like it or not. Do you have a say on who is making those decisions, or what is being decided? No? Why not? Did I just hear you say “because it doesn’t make any difference…those people are going to do what they want to regardless of what I say or how I vote.”

Well, then run for political office yourself so that YOU become one of those people making the big decisions. Or better yet, before you even do that, why not see who is saying what in your community about the issues you most care about, and join them in advocacy. Hopefully, that will lead you to a voting booth eventually.

But just sitting there and allowing the world to spin without your input or say so is how we got in the national mess we’re in now. Too many citizens want the fruits of freedom, but don’t want to pay the price to enjoy them. That MUST change, and YOU must change it. You have that opportunity starting from Oct. 15th to the 31st with One-Stop Early Voting/Same Day Registration, so that you can conveniently cast your ballot on a day and time that fits your schedule before Nov. 3rd, Election Day. Go to https://www.ncsbe.gov for all of the information you need to make it happen.

I tell ya, the art of voting is a beautiful thing. Don’t miss your opportunity.

PERSONAL NOTE - Hey, make sure you get your tickets to support the NC SPIN Reunion Live Show, Tuesday, Oct. 20th at the Seby B. Jones Performing Arts Theater, Louisburg College, Louisburg, NC. It’s going to be good! Proceeds go to support Louisburg College. Plus you get dinner. For more info, see the NC SPIN.com front page.

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