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Final Day for Early Voting Approaches
This Saturday marks the last opportunity for early in-person voting in several states, including New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Virginia. With Election Day just three days away, voters are urged to make their voices heard.
Key Insights on North Carolina’s Voting Trends
The last time North Carolina supported a Democratic presidential candidate was in 2008 when then-Senator Barack Obama secured a narrow victory by just 0.3 percentage points—equating to a mere 14,177 votes.
In contrast, Donald Trump achieved a decisive win in the state during the 2016 election with a margin of 3.7 points; however, this lead diminished to only 1.3 points against Joe Biden in the subsequent election of 2020.
Current Polling Landscape
A recent Fox News Poll indicates that as we approach the upcoming presidential election in 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris is trailing former President Trump by just one point—49% to Trump’s 50%. This positions North Carolina as a critical battleground according to Fox News Power Rankings.
The Changing Demographics of North Carolina
The state’s competitiveness has increased significantly due to its population growth over the past decade—approximately adding around 1.1 million residents—the fourth-largest increase among all U.S. states.
This demographic shift has been particularly pronounced in urban and suburban regions such as Mecklenburg and Wake counties which lean heavily Democratic.
The COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to an influx of affluent individuals from neighboring areas seeking more space and amenities while creating new clusters of college-age voters across various locales.
The Rural Vote’s Influence
While rural communities have seen some population declines recently, they continue to play an essential role within the state’s electoral landscape and predominantly support Republican candidates.
Important Voting Deadlines
If you have received your mail-in ballot already, it must be submitted by November 5th at your local election office for it to be counted effectively.
Saturday serves as the final day for early voting opportunities across these key states mentioned above.
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