The Obama campaign said Monday the Illinois senator will attend an early voting rally Wednesday in downtown Raleigh at the Halifax Mall. Obama's wife, Michelle, will hold a separate event in the state though details haven't been released.
Obama has made several trips to North Carolina in recent weeks as he hopes to wrest North Carolina's 15 electoral votes from Republicans. The GOP hasn't lost the presidential vote in North Carolina since 1976, but polls show the race is close.
Republican nominee John McCain will be in Fayetteville on Tuesday.
Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden was in North Carolina on Monday, while McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, was in Asheville on Sunday.
EARLY VOTE FOR CHANGE RALLY WITH BARACK OBAMA
Halifax Mall
Government Complex
300 North Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
Gates Open: 10:00 AM
Pre-Program Begins: 11: 15 AM
The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are NOT required, but an RSVP is strongly encouraged. To RSVP, please visit www.nc.barackobama.com.
Several streets in downtown Raleigh will be closed Wednesday morning to accommodate a rally attended by Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. The rally will be held on Halifax Mall outside the Legislative Building.
The following roads will be closed at approximately 9:30 a.m.:
- Wilmington Street from Jones Street to Peace Street;
- Salisbury Street from Peace Street to Lane Street;
- Lane Street from Salisbury Street to Blount Street;
- Polk Street from Wilmington Street to Blount Street; and,
- North Street from Wilmington Street to Blount Street.
-
Detour signs will be posted for motorists on northbound Wilmington Street, directing the traffic to take Jones Street to Person Street to Peace Street.
Capital Area Transit buses will experience detours on Salisbury Street and Wilmington Streets between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. CAT Routes 1 (Capital Boulevard), 2 (Falls of Neuse), 3 (Glascock), 4 (Rex Hospital), 10 (Longview ) and 12 (Method )will not serve bus stops between Jones Street and Peace Street during these hours. For more information on the affected service, call the Regional GoTriangle Call Center at 485-RIDE.
Also, parking will be limited for the rally. Some hourly parking will be available at the City of Raleigh's Blount Street, Moore Square, and Wilmington Street parking decks. All of these decks have entrances on Wilmington Street. The City of Raleigh's Performing Arts and Convention Center parking decks have the most available hourly spaces. These decks are several blocks to the south of the rally site and are accessible from Lenoir Street. Hourly parking also is available at the State's visitor parking facilities. Visitor Lot 1 is across from the State Archives building, with entrances on Jones and Edenton streets. Visitor Lot 2 can be accessed from McDowell Street, just north of Lane Street.
-
