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Democrats Slip To Third Place In Early Voting In Sun Belt Swing State

With just days remaining until Election Day, North Carolina’s early voting turnout has produced some surprising [1] numbers, reshaping expectations in this critical battleground state.

According to the latest figures, Democrats have slipped to third place in overall early voting turnout, trailing both Republicans and an unexpected surge in the “Others” category, which includes independent and third-party voters.

The state’s status as a key swing state has drawn last-minute visits from Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, with both campaigns eyeing North Carolina’s pivotal 16 electoral votes.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks after touring damage caused by Hurricane Helene on Golden Camp Road in Augusta, Ga., on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024.

North Carolina’s early voting count stands at 3.37 million as of this morning, representing approximately 62% of the expected total voter turnout.

The current breakdown by party affiliation is as follows:

Republicans: 1,148,634 votes
Others: 1,113,426 votes
Democrats: 1,106,358 votes

Republicans continue to lead in early turnout numbers, but the strong showing of the “Others” category on Monday has drawn significant attention.

Meanwhile, Democrats face an uphill battle, trailing by over 40,000 votes compared to Republicans as early voting enters its final days.

According to DecisionDesk HQ analyst Michael Pruser, who shared these statistics on X (formerly Twitter), it may be challenging for Democrats to close the gap with only four days of early voting left.

The data indicates it will be difficult for them to reclaim second place, much less challenge the top position.

Despite the lagging numbers, Democrats maintain a stronghold in Chatham County, where they have achieved over 60% turnout, one of the few areas in the state to hit this milestone.

Chatham County’s Democrats are currently seeing a turnout rate of 63.73%, showcasing the party’s concentrated support in select regions.

While projections suggest that total early voting turnout may fall short of the record-breaking 4.63 million seen in 2020, North Carolina is still expected to reach around 4.2 million early votes.

Historically, North Carolina’s voting trends have swung between parties, keeping the state a focal point in every presidential election.

Though the state narrowly supported Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020, it went to Barack Obama in 2008, underscoring its unpredictable nature.

The state’s voter demographics are diverse, including urban, suburban, and rural populations, a significant African American community, and a growing contingent of independents whose influence has been felt in this cycle’s early vote count.

North Carolina’s early voting trends often reflect broader national patterns, and strong turnout among independents and new voters can indicate momentum shifts that impact both presidential and down-ballot races.

The state’s outcomes often affect Senate, House, and gubernatorial contests, making this year’s turnout data especially telling for candidates and strategists on both sides.

In the latest campaign developments, a top adviser for Trump’s team alleged that Kamala’s campaign has reduced its advertising presence in North Carolina.

According to Chris LaCivita, Harris’s campaign withdrew approximately $1.7 million in previously scheduled television advertising in the state.

Media Buying and Analytics confirmed this change, showing that between October 29 and November 5, Harris’s campaign pulled ads across multiple North Carolina markets, including Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, and Greenville.

Charlotte saw the biggest reduction, with $878,545 in ad buys removed, followed by Raleigh, which lost $558,076 in planned spending.

Other affected markets include Greenville-New Bern, Norfolk, and Wilmington. The shift in media spending by the Harris campaign comes amid close polling and indicates a potential reallocation of resources as Election Day nears.

As North Carolina’s early voting period enters its final stretch, both parties are watching closely to gauge how turnout will impact the overall race.

The results here may provide critical insight into the direction of the national election, especially as both major parties seek to secure every possible vote in the remaining days.