2012 turnout data shows NC sharply split

By Laura Leslie

Posted: January 22

A new analysis of voter turnout data for the November 2012 election proves North Carolina has earned its reputation as a swing state.

Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney evenly split the 10 counties with the highest turnout. Beaufort, Davie, Greene, Moore and Person voted for Romney, while Chatham, Granville, Hertford, Wake and Warren voted for Obama.

The report by Democracy North Carolina looked at data gathered by the State Board of Elections.

Overall, turnout in 2012 was 68.3 percent – down slightly from 69.6 percent in 2008. Similar declines were apparent through most Democratic subgroups.

Only Republicans posted gains in turnout. Republican women picked up a percentage point, from 72.3 percent in 2008 to 73.4 percent in 2012. GOP men made an even bigger gain, from 70.7 to 72.2 percent.

Meantime, the number of registered Democrats who voted in 2012 actually dropped by nearly 53,000, even though the party added about 8,800 registered voters since 2008.

Still, the political subgroup with the highest turnout was African-American Democratic women, at 76.4 percent – down just one-tenth of a percentage point from 2008.

“The presidential election was a polarizing, emotional experience for core supporters of both major candidates,” said Democracy NC director Bob Hall in a release. “Candidates, parties and interest groups invested in mobilizing voters and helped them understand that their vote was important for themselves and for society.”

However, predictions that young voters would be less motivated were true. Turnout for voters 18-25 dropped by more than 5 percent from 2008, though it was slightly higher in counties with large universities.

Hispanic voters also saw a steep drop. Their turnout was 4.9 percent lower than in 2008.

Senior citizens, on the other hand, picked up 4.2 percent at the polls, with a 2012 turnout of 76.6 percent – the highest of any demographic group.

46 Comments

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so one can sum it up fairly easily -- the democrats in nc -- were slaughtered at the polls by the fed up citizens of nc....

clearly show what a 1 party system can do to a state when left in power to long...

wildpig777
January 22, 2013 12:41 p.m.

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The next election cycle will tell the tale. If the national Republican leadership does what they say and attempts to reach out to more demographics, support immigration and the rights of folks not like them, tries to sound more moderate, supports science and the recommendations of intelligent adults, then our state will see a huge drop in Republican voters and turnout. The Republicans in this state all seem to want to embrace that 1950's mentality and hold on for dear life. Which will be the death of the Republican party here eventually. Or at least it will leave behind a lot of disappointed, supersticious, unintelligent folks who wonder why the right wing abandoned them.

RadioDJ
January 22, 2013 12:57 p.m.

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"The next election cycle will tell the tale."

Not necessarily. The current legislature will come up with initiatives to restrict the ability to vote. While I am for an ID to be required to vote, I certainly do not think it should be a tax on a citizen to have to obtain that. If McCrory remains moderate, and more progressive, as he has been as mayor, he likely will win a re-election. Local races are gerrymandered for a one-party victory.

uh huh dats right
January 22, 2013 1:18 p.m.

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Predictions that Obama's support for same-sex marriage would depress African-American turnout in North Carolina did not pan out. While turnout among black voters dropped slightly, from 71.9 to 70.3 percent, that's in line with the drop in overall turnout. According to Hall, about 85 percent of black voters in North Carolina are registered Democrats.

I keep seeing the word "sheep" on here...this shows who the true "sheep" are...African Americans who register and vote mostly straight Democrat EVERY TIME

anderson
January 22, 2013 1:21 p.m.

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The next election cycle will tell the tale. If the national Republican leadership does what they say and attempts to reach out to more demographics, support immigration and the rights of folks not like them, tries to sound more moderate, supports science and the recommendations of intelligent adults, then our state will see a huge drop in Republican voters and turnout.

No...what the Republicans need to do is to BE MORE CONSERVATIVE. That's why NC has a Republican governor and House and Senate. It's left to see how they actually govern, but they ran ON A CONSERVATIVE PLATFORM AND WON!

anderson
January 22, 2013 1:23 p.m.

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Congrats to seniors for the highest turnout! Someone appreciates the opportunity to vote.

Mr. Middle of the Road
January 22, 2013 1:24 p.m.

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Ok dems you know where the holes are, time to start patching 'em up with misinformation and promises of freebies!

Crumps Br0ther
January 22, 2013 1:26 p.m.

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"sed with prior to the election could compare this mess we are in to some time in their life that was similar. So we voted to try to prevent the decline in our rights, the total overspending of a too big government, and to give our Great Grandchildren and their Grandchildren a chance to live the America dream, which is gone under Obama." - heavenly

nevermind that fact that mccrory gave generous raises to his cabinet appointees and has found plenty of new ways to spend money since he started office. yeah, really trying to save the state some money, huh? oh, and how about the republican state legislature trying to lower income tax rates and increase sales taxes. that's going to likely increase the tax burden on the middle and lower income in the state while decreasing it for the wealthy. yep, we definitely need to take better care of the wealthy. as far as rights, i think the republicans and democrats are pretty equal in the amount of rights they want to invade.

golorealist
January 22, 2013 1:32 p.m.

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"...the political subgroup with the highest turnout was African-American Democratic women, at 76.4 percent..."

We report the facts. You decide.

JohnDrescher
January 22, 2013 1:48 p.m.

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The revolution started in north carolina this voting period.The whole country will do the same in 2014 & 2016. Liberals are on the way out. Good luck if they think biden can get elected in 2016.