As both political parties continue to lose members in North Carolina – since 2008, Democrats have lost 102,800, Republicans 12,400 – unaffiliated voters are on the rise. An estimated 306,500 have been added since 2008, and they now outnumber either Republicans and Democrats in 44 of the state’s 100 counties, according to analysis from Democracy North Carolina.
“The rapid growth of Unaffiliated voters indicates people are not attracted to either major party,” said Bob Hall of Democracy North Carolina. “More North Carolinians, especially new residents and young voters, are refusing to embrace or perhaps even understand a party’s philosophy.”
Unaffiliated voters now comprise 26 percent of all registered voters in the state, up from 8 percent in 1993. Additionally, the number of white voters has declined – by 1,300 – in the past five years, while African-American registered voters have increased by 99,200. Though they comprise just 2 percent of the electorate, Hispanics have nearly doubled their numbers over five years to about 116,500.
Women outnumber men voters by about 500,000. “If women consolidated around a message or messenger, they’d dominate state politics,” Hall said.
Of its more than 650,000 registered voters, Mecklenburg County has seen a net increase of 14,700 Democrats and 26,100 black voters and a loss of 13,900 Republicans and 11,800 white voters since 2008.
For Democratic North Carolina’s full reports, click here.
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This article appears in Jan 1-7, 2014.
Everyone should be an independent. Your representative is supposed to represent YOUR interests, not his/her party. The fact that most votes are cast along party lines is evidence of where the loyalties are focused. The only time you, the voter, enters the equation is when they are pandering to your paranoia and fear with misleading campaign adds in an attempt secure more legislative advantage over the other team.
I wanted to take a moment a mention I firmly believe exactly as you do. PAC’s and Lobbyist continual threaten the voice of the people.
That is why I am gearing up really early to run for the 12th Congressional seat in 2016. I am going to run a campaign that accepts no money what so ever from PAC’s or Business’s.
Alma Adams is going to be elected, however, she does not represent the people. She represent the old ideas, and practices that we are trying to get away from. Would enjoy talking to anyone more if they can make time.
facebook.com/BryceDavisSC
I fear that we have passed the point of no return. Citizens United was the final nail in the coffin of government by and for the people. The SCOTUS has declared that corporations are people and that bribery is freedom of speech. The flood gates of corporate money have been opened. It is no longer possible to get elected without selling your soul to the people who control the money, whether that is a political party or corporate special interests.
I offer as an example, the number of politicians who sing the praises of the NRA and their extreme views on gun control. I will believe the politicians are really that sold on the Second Amendment when they begin allowing assault rifles and concealed handguns in the visitors gallery of the legislative chambers. Until that day I will continue to believe it is about the NRA money and the votes of their non thinking members.