captioning sponsored by wnet >> stewart: on this edition for saturday, november 5: entering the presidential campaign's final days, hillary clinton and donald trump rally supporters to get out and vote; in our signature segment, what's at stake in north carolina, where the candidates are running neck and neck; and how and why some voters in battleground states are swapping votes with people in non-battleground states. next on pbs newshour weekend. >> pbs newshour weekend is made possible by: bernard and irene schwartz. judy and josh weston. the cheryl and philip milstein family. the john and helen glessner family trust. supporting trustworthy journalism that informs and inspires.

sue and edgar wachenheim, iii. barbara hope zuckerberg. corporate funding is provided by mutual of america-- designing customized individual and group retirement products. that's why we are your retirement company. additional support has been provided by: and by the corporation for public broadcasting, and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. from the tisch wnet studios at lincoln center in new york, alison stewart. >> stewart: good evening, and thanks for joining us. this final weekend of the presidential campaign sees the candidates crisscrossing the country, encouraging supporters to vote and appealing to state has gotten more personal attention from hillary clinton and donald trump than florida, and both were there again today. before heading to north carolina, nevada and colorado, trump reiterated to florida

voters his key promises in this campaign: repeal and replace obamacare; lower taxes on american businesses; and build a wall along the u.s. border with mexico to slow illegal immigration. >> my contract with the american voter begins with a plan to end government corruption in washington and to take back our country from special interests. when we win on november 8 we are going to drain the swamp. >> stewart: trump's wife, melania, appeared with him in wilmington, north carolina, but neither commented on the associated press report published today finding melania, who's from slovenia and arrived in the u.s. in 1996, worked as a model for seven weeks before she had a proper work visa to do so. before returning to pennsylvania tonight, clinton campaigned in the miami-fort lauderdale area and spoke to supporters in a rally cut short by a downpour. >> i have spent my career fighting for kids and families, and, if you elect me, that's

what i will keep doing! ( cheers and applause ) >> stewart: her florida stop followed visits yesterday to michigan, pennsylvania and ohio, where superstar couple jay-z and beyonce headlined a free "get out the vote" concert for her last night in cleveland. >> i want my daughter to grow up seeing a woman lead our country and know that her possibilities are limitless. >> stewart: at least 33 million of the nation's 200 million registered voters have voted early. in nevada, 46,000 more democrats have voted early or by absentee than republicans, according to its secretary of state. that is close to the same lead president obama had in early voting in 2012, when he carried the state. in florida, 5.7 million people, or 45% of the state's 12.7 million registered voters, have cast a ballot in the early voting period that ends tomorrow. joining me now from tallahassee to discuss the battle for florida is mary ellen klas. she's the capital bureau chief

for the "miami herald" and co- bureau chief for the "tampa bay times." mary ellen, so who's left at this point? who are trump and clinton courting while spending all this time in florida these last three days? >> well, it is pretty clear that both of them are working-- trump is working to win florida, which he needs it. and-- and clinton is working to win florida to keep it from trump because without florida, it's very unlikely he has a path to the white house. it is-- it looks as though the early voting numbers indicate that democrats might have the edge because even though it's-- we've got about 40% of democrats, early voters showing up, 40% republicans, and the bulk are no party affiliated, those "no party afillated" voters more than half of them are first-time voters and a majority of them are hispanic. and that may swing things as an advantage for clinton

>> stewart: what's changed about the demographics in florida in the past four years that would have an impact this time around? >> well, florida has gained a lot of population. you know, 1.4 million people have moved to florida. and more than half of those new people however, have been hispanics. and they have-- many of them are puerto ricans, and unlike people from other latin american countries, when puerto ricans come to florida, they can register to vote immediately because they're citizens. so we have watched as the number of hispanics grow and the unique thing, is they are the ones that are turning out this election cycle. i think that there's a chance that hispanics could do for hillary clinton in florida what blacks did in 2008 for barack obama, and that is hand her the state >> stewartstate. the other demographic group that emerged and continues to grow are retirees. they tend to be white, and they

have moved to the center of the state in retirement communities. and they are the ones that i think trump is counting on to be his reliable voters >> stewart: there are a few big ballot initiatives in florida. there's one for legalizing medical marijuana. there's one dealing with solar power, a couple of tax exemptions. do any of those initiativees, are there of them driving people to the polls? and if so, who would they drive to the polls? >> well, i do think the medical marijuana initiative is one that is driving people. that has overwhelming support, according to the public opinion polls. the other amendment being pursued by the utility companies, and it's really designed-- it was kind of designed as a defense mechanism against another amendment that never made it to the ballot. now that it's on the ballot and they did use it to put language in that will limit roofed top solar expansion-- could potentially limit it-- there are a lot of solar advocates that are motivated to vote because they want to vote against that

amendment. it's hard to tell who that will advantage, though. i think when you talk about marijuana-- medical marijuana, there are people on both sides-- clinton supporters and trump supporters -- who feel strongly on that-- about that issue. and i think it's-- when it comes to the solar amendment, that seems to be a democrat issue that many democrats have alined with, and democrat supporters. but it also has a tremendous support in florida among tea party conservatives, and sort of people who don't want the utilities to be telling them what they can put on their roofs >> stewart: mary ellen klas, thanks for joining us from tallahassee. >> you're welcome. >> stewart: along with florida, ohio and pennsylvania, north carolina is in the top tier of battleground states this presidential election, with 15

electoral votes up for grabs. since their nominating conventions, not a week has passed without either hillary clinton and donald trump or their running mates visiting the tar heel state. the state is second only to florida in visits by the two campaigns. clinton was there yesterday, trump was there today. in tonight's signature segment, special correspondent nick schifrin introduces us to some of the people trying to keep north carolina red, and those trying to turn it back to blue. >> ♪ well, i woke up this morning with my mind... >> ...stayed on freedom. ♪ >> reporter: in downtown asheville, on the western edge of north carolina, the reverend william barber's gathering is as much revival as rally. >> and i'm telling you, in this time, you better, we better vote now. ( cheers and applause ) >> reporter: he's the president of the north carolina n.a.a.c.p. and an outspoken, progressive preacher. these days, his benediction is a battle cry. >> every time movements have exercised their faith and done

what we're supposed to do, evil is shut down and god shows up. >> reporter: barber is at the vanguard of a new north carolina, trying to unite progressive white voters with black and latino voters. that coalition propelled barack obama to a victory here in 2008. it's the same coalition hillary clinton needs to win. >> that will be the saving grace of this democracy-- our diversity, united in a way that is transformed into political and moral power. >> reporter: last week in winston-salem, north carolina, first lady michelle obama implored the coalition that voted for her husband to heed barber's call to vote. >> if hillary doesn't win this election, that will be on us. it will be because we did not stand with her. >> reporter: in 2008, obama became the first democrat to carry north carolina since jimmy carter. the backlash followed. in 2012, obama lost to mitt romney, and republicans won the governorsion and both houses of the state legislature.

they passed laws that increased voter id requirements. barber led the push to repeal them, and a federal appeals court agreed, saying they" targeted african-americans with almost surgical precision." he continues to fight what he calls ongoing voter suppression and widespread racism. >> you ever notice you didn't hear anything about fraud until all the people voted for president obama. you never hear anything ¡till black people starting voting at 69-70%. >> reporter: if clinton's going to win, she will have to revitalize the obama coalition. 61-year-old democrat tyrone greenlee is as much pro-clinton as anti-trump. >> he is threatening to drag us back to a place that is unfair and inequitable for people of color and women and those who are undocumented, and for so many segments of society. and i think that hillary understands justice for all. >> reporter: but clinton has struggled to inspire enthusiasm among democratic voters like dan perlmutter. he voted for bernie sanders and

plans to vote for green party candidate jill stein over clinton. >> everybody is saying donald trump is bullying her and stuff, but, you know, he's asking tough questions that she won't answer. >> reporter: to try and overcome those doubts, barber appeals to morality. he believes the coalition can help create another civil rights movement. >> i see black and white and young and old and gay and straight coming together, and latinos. i know that the south is rising again for a fresh transformation. ( cheers and applause ) >> reporter: for hillary clinton to win north carolina, it will not only be because she re- energized the same coalition of black, young and urban, educated white voters; it will also be because she convinced enough white voters outside of north carolina cities, like here, in the appalachian mountains. nestled in these mountains is watauga county, where rivers meander through fall colors. county commissioner perry yates is running for re-election.

>> i'm christian, i'm conservative, then i'm republican. >> reporter: he believes donald trump can fix what he calls a broken system. >> i think the reason people are supporting mr. trump is they're tired of status quo. we've tried republicans, we've tried democrats, and he's an alternative that appeals. >> reporter: in the local diner, thompson's seafood and country cooking, yates goes table to table. >> i'm a conservative. i don't waste your money. >> reporter: out here, politics is so local, he gives his cell phone number out to constituents he's just met. >> you call me anytime you need me. >> reporter: in this county, registered independents outnumber registered democrats and republicans. 95% of residents are white, according to the census. for donald trump to win the state, he needs to counteract the obama coalition by inspiring a huge turnout here. >> how are you, mr. greene? >> reporter: but that appeal could be depressed by registered republicans like tony greene, who says trump doesn't align with his conservative beliefs. >> some of his thoughts in the

past have not necessarily balanced out with those values, so i'm not sure that he is a true conservative. >> reporter: his wife, terry, worries about trump's temperament. >> when he can't even keep it together during a debate, and in control, how is he going to do that in the heat of a serious political conversation? >> reporter: to counteract those doubts, trump has campaigned in north carolina by trying to speak to residents who feel their livelihoods are threatened. in watauga county, the poverty rate is nearly double the national average. trump supporter lester allentrivette, who's behind the register, hoped to retire this year. instead, he's working two jobs to pay his bills. >> when they are forced to have to sell their property to pay their taxes, they feel unwelcome because they just can't afford to hang on. >> reporter: they believe trump can fix an economy and a government that haven't improved their lives. >> hope and change came along, and we're deeper in debt. then, the congress came around

and said, "we're going to turn this around," and we're deeper in debt. >> reporter: that message seemed to stick with some early voters we met in boone, watauga county's largest town. >> i'm fed up with both parties, with the lying and the deceptions. >> reporter: republican tim wilson wants trump to follow through on a promise to press for congressional term limits. >> he may not be able to install them, but he would have a lot of influence on getting them installed. and i think the american people would vote for that. >> reporter: kim roberts is a registered independent who split her ticket, voting for some democrats down ballot but for trump over clinton. >> i wish i didn't have to vote for either of them, but, in the long run, i think he'll do less harm than she would. >> reporter: elizabeth mckinney is a pro-abortion rights democrat who went for clinton. >> i believe she supports women's rights. i believe she is more fair and equal. and i don't trust donald trump. >> reporter: north carolina's rifts have made this state as divided as ever. hillsborough, outside raleigh- durham, once prided itself on its civility. >> hillary clinton, i mean, she's been proved to be a liar and a liar and a liar over again.

>> reporter: daniel ashley is the local republican chairman. he believes clinton is dishonest and corrupt, and that trump speaks to three important republican values. >> economics, abortion issue, all the way down to being strong on defense. >> reporter: it was his party headquarters that was vandalized last month with a message, "nazi republicans, leave town or else," then the office was firebombed. it got so hot in here, this is plastic and it's all melted. and look how much soot is on the wall. evelyn poole-kober is the vice chair. she has worked in politics since the early '60s. >> if we had gone by that sign that was written on the wall-- and we're not nazis, we're not haters-- if we had let that sign intimidate us, we would just be giving in to hate. >> reporter: sympathetic democrats raised almost $13,000 to rebuild this office. in this season of discontent, perhaps poole-kober speaks for both sides when she appeals to grace.

>> i silently prayed that the person or people who did this, that i could forgive them, and that they could come to some better understanding of our political process. >> election day, 2016: the historic end to a long campaign. who will voters elect as the next president of the united states? which party will control congress? what else will we learn from the voters? join pbs newshour for special election night coverage, analysis you won't find anywhere else. tuesday, november 8, starting at 8:00, 7:00 central. only on pbs. >> stewart: the so-called battleground states get much of the presidential candidates' personal attention in an effort to attract swing voters. however, in solidly red or blue states, many feel their votes might not matter as much as those cast in places where the race is tight.

but now, some believe that they have found a way to make their votes have an impact. newshour weekend special correspondent karla murthy reports on an unorthodox idea gaining traction: the vote swap. >> reporter: 25-year-old sadiq khan is a hillary clinton supporter, but he doesn't think his vote matters much because he lives in new jersey, a state that's voted democratic in the last six presidential elections and is expected to do so again on tuesday. >> growing up in school, you learn about how it's a civic duty to show up at the polls and have your voice heard. but in my young voting history, i've been involved in two president elections now, and it almost always seems like in new jersey, it's always solid blue. and no matter even if i voted or not, you know, my vote, my voice really doesn't count. >> reporter: now, meet 23-year- old anlin wang. he prefers green party candidate jill stein. >> her platform stands for more of the direction i would like to see u.s. politics go in.

>> reporter: any third party whose candidate gets 5% of the national popular vote qualifies for federal funding. but wang lives in the battleground state of pennsylvania, and he worries a vote for stein instead of clinton could help donald trump win his state. >> because i live in pennsylvania rather than one of those safe states, right, like, there is an exponentially greater chance that my vote could be the one that makes that difference. >> reporter: anlin wang and sadiq khan had never met before, but they are trying to solve each other's dilemmas by using a strategy called vote swapping. here's how it works: on one side, you have a voter in a closely-fought battleground state like pennsylvania who supports a third party candidate-- in this case, green party candidate jill stein; on the other side, you have a voter who lives in a "safe" state like new jersey, who supports hillary clinton.

they then persuade each other to vote for their preferred candidate, essentially swapping their votes. a handful of vote swapping web sites, apps and facebook groups have sprung up this election year connecting voters from all over the country. sadiq khan read about a vote trading app called #nevertrump. he downloaded it onto his phone and joined a message group. >> and you would post on the forum and identify who you were going to vote for, where you're from and if you were willing to trade. >> reporter: in pennsylvania, anlin wang also read about the app and joined the group, which has nearly 10,000 active users. >> i just made a post there and said, "i live in pennsylvania, willing to trade my vote." >> quickly realized that we'd be good trading partners. >> reporter: khan agreed to vote for jill stein in new jersey; and wang, for hillary clinton in pennsylvania. both see this as a win. >> anlin in pennsylvania is able to make sure that, you know, his vote for jill stein is being cast, and i was using this process to almost amplify my voice and make it heard in a way that actually matters. >> reporter: two advocates of vote swapping are john stubbs and ricardo reyes, both republicans who worked in the

george w. bush administration. they wrote a "new york times" op-ed in september appealing to fellow republicans in safe states to swap their votes with people in battleground states. >> people were telling us that they were going to stay home because their vote didn't matter. that makes no sense. >> if you live in california, your vote is going to count in a state that does not have as much influence as ohio or florida or pennsylvania. we need to figure out a system that allows everyone to participate fully. >> reporter: reyes and stubbs launched a vote trading web site called "trumptraders," which has over 15,000 users. >> you tell us who you are voting for, tell us where you live and you give us your email address. >> reporter: they then find you a partner to swap votes with. >> there's no contract, it's just the honor code. and it's more than just the honor code; it's me talking to you, it's me talking to my friends in florida and ohio. >> reporter: their web site also

offers a two-for-one special. for example, if you want to vote for libertarian gary johnson and you live in ohio, they'll find you two clinton voters in a safe state like california to switch with you. >> hopefully one day there will be more options for voters. but at the end of the day, anything that isn't a vote for trump or a vote for hillary is a protest vote. and what he or she wants is representation, maximum representation for this third party or for those points of views or for the values of that third party. and so, this mechanism actually is very good for that. >> reporter: it sounds like something that should be illegal. >> it's not. >> reporter: in fact, in 2007, the ninth circuit court of appeals ruled that vote swapping web sites are protected free speech under the first amendment because nothing of monetary value is being exchanged. the case goes back to the 2000 presidential election, when vote trading web sites sought to get battleground state supporters of then-green party nominee ralph nader to swap their votes with

al gore supporters in safe states. but you're encouraging voters, encouraging people to trade votes from people who live across the country from each other. i mean, is that really the way our democracy is supposed to work? >> absolutely. in a national election where the outcome affects us all exactly the same? this is a national election. just because we have an electoral college system that was designed when we were still sending mail by pony doesn't mean that we can't upgrade our own expression of preference. we have the technology that allows people to communicate by pushing a button on something they carry around in their pocket. why wouldn't we be taking advantage of that? >> reporter: last weekend, sadiq khan and anlin wang decided to meet in person and mail their absentee ballots together, but we won't know what difference, if any, these vote swappers will have until election day.

>> stewart: the almost three- week-old iraqi offensive to retake mosul from islamic state militants continued today on two fronts. backed by american air support, iraqi troops battled isis fighters ten miles south of mosul in hamman al-alil today, the last town between them and mosul itself. those iraqi troops plan to link up with other iraqi and allied forces advancing on mosul from the east, where they cleared buildings in isis-held neighborhoods they entered yesterday. the final push to enter the city could prove long and bloody. new satellite images taken this week show how isis defenders have erected concrete barricades to block key access routes. an estimated one million civilians remain in mosul, iraq's second largest city and the last remaining isis stronghold in the country. in turkey, president erdogan's crackdown on dissent grew wider today as turkish police arrested the top editor and eight senior staffers of a leading opposition newspaper.

about 1,000 protesters who marched toward the newspaper offices in istanbul were dispersed by water cannons and tear gas. turkish police today also detained nine officials of the pro-kurdish peoples' democratic party, which followed the arrest of the party's two leaders yesterday. erdogan has long accused that opposition party of having ties to the outlawed kurdish militants. since a failed coup in july, erdogan's government has detained or suspended from their jobs 110,000 judges, teachers and civil servants. an internet monitoring group says the government has also been blocking or restricting access to social media sites, including twitter, facebook, youtube, whatsapp, skype and instagram. in the south korean capital of seoul tonight, tens of thousands of protesters rallied to demand the resignation of president park geun-hay over an influence- peddling scandal. opponents accuse her of allowing a close friend to meddle in government affairs and obtain access to classified information used to allegedly extort businesses.

president park apologized yesterday and pledged cooperation with the investigation. her approval rating has sunk to 5%. delhi's government has come under fire for ignoring the warning signs leading up to the current air pollution crisis. see more at pbs.org/newshour. the supreme court today reinstated a new arizona law prohibiting anyone besides family members and caregives from collecting or turning in anyone else's early voting ballot. the order overturns yesterday's appeals court ruling block the law. respects say the law prevents fraud, but democrats say it makes it harder for some rural voters to return their ballots. they have approximately 9,000 outstanding ballots which must be returned by mail or in person by tuesday in order to count. that's all for this edition of "pbs newshour weekend." i'm alison stewart. good night.

>> pbs newshour weekend is made possible by: bernard and irene schwartz. judy and josh weston. the cheryl and philip milstein family. the john and helen glessner family trust. supporting trustworthy journalism that informs and inspires. sue and edgar wachenheim, iii. barbara hope zuckerberg. corporate funding is provided by mutual of america-- designing customized individual and group retirement products. that's why we are your retirement company. additional support has been provided by: and by the corporation for public broadcasting, and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. [♪]

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