Connect with us

News from the South - North Carolina News Feed

For the first time in North Carolina history, a majority of voters will have cast their ballots before Election Day • Asheville Watchdog

Published

on

avlwatchdog.org – TOM FIEDLER – 2024-11-04 10:26:00

Buncombe County could be two-thirds of the way toward finishing its contribution to the 2024 elections if the turnout after Election Day remains as it was in 2020 when 78 percent of the state’s voters participated.

When the early-voting period closed at 5 p.m. Saturday, a record 53 percent of Buncombe County’s registered voters had cast ballots at 10 designated sites. The total of 115,727 participants exceeded the early-voting turnout in 2020 by more than 13,000, a jump of 13 percent. When absentee ballots returned by mail are included, the early-voting turnout percentage jumps to 58 percent.

If the final turnout remains close to where it was in 2020, Election Day voting may contribute less than a third of the total votes cast, the smallest proportion in the state’s history.  

The North Carolina Board of Elections reported Sunday that more than 4.4 million ballots have been cast in the state’s 100 counties. That far exceeds the 3.6 million early votes in 2020 in which then-President Donald Trump won the state by only 74,483 votes – a 1.3 percent margin – while losing nationally to Joe Biden. 

The record increase in early-voting came despite the impact of Tropical Storm Helene, which forced the county Elections Department to abandon four early-voting locations because of  damage, and to limit daytime voting to between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.   

Even with these constraints, the Buncombe County turnout nearly matched the statewide average of 57 percent, also a record.

Corinne Duncan, the county’s director of elections, said she was “in awe” of the turnout.

“[E]ven amid storm recovery, as we grieve what we won’t get back and as we gather ourselves to make a plan for moving forward, voting remains a priority,” she said in a statement for Asheville Watchdog.

The narrow divide in the 2020 election has made North Carolina one of the handful of swing states that could determine control of the White House. 

In the race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party nominee, the candidates appear to be in a dead heat, according to a consensus of national and state polls.  

The early-voting turnout also points to a close outcome when party registrations are the measure.

Across North Carolina, Republicans have cast 33.6 percent of the ballots and Democrats 32.3 percent. Voters who aren’t affiliated with any party split the difference, casting 33.3 percent of the early votes.  

Buncombe County remains a Democratic Party stronghold when measured by the early-vote turnout. Registered Democrats have cast 38 percent of those ballots while registered Republicans cast 26 percent. Again, unaffiliated voters could throw victory to either party as they comprised 36 percent of the early turnout. 

Putting aside party ties, female voters in Buncombe County and across North Carolina have exercised outsized impact on the totals in two ways: total votes and their percentage of the electorate. Women cast 59,946 early ballots in Buncombe, more than 9,000 more than women did in 2020. They also outvote men by more than 10 percentage points nationally – the gender gap – comprising 52 percent of the electorate to 41 percent for men.

The statewide gender gap is mirrored in Buncombe County with the same 52 percent of the early votes cast by women and 41 percent by men.

Polls will open in Buncombe County Tuesday morning at 6:30 and close at 7:30 p.m. Because of storm damage to 17 of the county’s 80 precincts, new locations have been established and voters assigned to those precincts have been sent notices where that is possible.  

Voters can check to see if their precinct is among those affected by calling 828-250-4200 on Monday and Tuesday, or go online here.  


Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Tom Fiedler is a Pulitzer Prize-winning political reporter and dean emeritus from Boston University who lives in Asheville. Email him at tfiedler@avlwatchdog.org. The Watchdog’s reporting is made possible by donations from the community. To show your support for this vital public service go to avlwatchdog.org/support-our-publication/.

Original article

The post For the first time in North Carolina history, a majority of voters will have cast their ballots before Election Day • Asheville Watchdog appeared first on avlwatchdog.org

News from the South - North Carolina News Feed

Stein pitches unity, pledges work through strength and resilience | North Carolina

Published

on

www.thecentersquare.com – By Alan Wooten | The Center Square – 2025-01-11 16:37:00

SUMMARY: During his inaugural address in the North Carolina Capitol, Democratic Gov. Josh Stein emphasized the importance of bipartisan cooperation to strengthen the state. Acknowledging challenges such as Hurricane Helene recovery, he called on the Republican-majority General Assembly to collaborate and address issues like teacher pay, public school funding, and economic opportunity. Stein highlighted the need for “good-paying” jobs and infrastructure investment while advocating for progress in education and public safety. Despite potential political differences, he reiterated the belief that effective solutions don’t adhere to party lines, expressing a commitment to serve all North Carolinians and earn their trust during his term.

Read the full article

The post Stein pitches unity, pledges work through strength and resilience | North Carolina appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com

Continue Reading

News from the South - North Carolina News Feed

Josh Stein pledges long-term Helene support, urges GOP cooperation in first address • NC Newsline

Published

on

ncnewsline.com – Galen Bacharier – 2025-01-11 16:07:00

SUMMARY: In his inaugural address on January 11, 2025, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein emphasized his commitment to rebuilding western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, calling for bipartisan cooperation with the Republican-led legislature. He outlined key priorities, including housing for survivors, business support, and infrastructure rebuilding. Stein, who succeeded Roy Cooper, highlighted the need for unity to address significant challenges, urging legislators to focus on collaboration rather than political disputes. While GOP leaders expressed optimism about working with him, the party’s communications director criticized Stein’s policies as outdated. The upcoming legislative session will test this spirit of cooperation.

Read the full article

The post Josh Stein pledges long-term Helene support, urges GOP cooperation in first address • NC Newsline appeared first on ncnewsline.com

Continue Reading

News from the South - North Carolina News Feed

California infernos in January? Why wildfire season keeps getting longer and more devastating. • NC Newsline

Published

on

ncnewsline.com – Julie Cart – 2025-01-11 05:00:00

SUMMARY: As climate change intensifies, California faces increasingly severe wildfires, now marked by terms like “firenado” and “gigafire.” The state has 78 more annual “fire days” compared to 50 years ago, with fires occurring year-round. Recent blazes in Los Angeles County, including the destructive Palisades and Eaton Fires, have left thousands evacuated and resulted in over 1,000 destroyed homes and fatalities. The role of arson and downed power lines persists, while extreme weather adds pressure. Firefighting costs have escalated from $800 million in 2005 to $3.7 billion in 2022. California must adapt to this new reality—ushering in the “Pyrocene” era.

Read the full article

The post California infernos in January? Why wildfire season keeps getting longer and more devastating. • NC Newsline appeared first on ncnewsline.com

Continue Reading

Trending