Carolina Journal

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BBQ Politics? How North Carolina’s sauce divide mirrors its voting behavior

In both barbecue sauce and politics, North Carolina’s “split personality” is rooted in centuries-old settlement patterns and evolving demographics. Barbecue here is a source of pride, and, like taste preferences nationally, voters in the Tar Heel State — or, shall we say, the Sauce State — are divided.

Brent Buchanan

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Locke’s Mitch Kokai assesses NC Senate’s approach to NCInnovation funding

Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst, discusses the North Carolina Senate budget’s approach toward NCInnovation. Kokai offered these comments during the April 18, 2025, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”

Mitch Kokai
Video

The Debrief: Budget battles and the bureaucrat takedown

This week on The Debrief, the NC Senate releases its budget plan, passes a full repeal of the state’s Certificate of Need law, and the House advances the REINS Act—putting guardrails on the power of state regulators. Get the highlights, context, and what it all means for North Carolinians.

Video

The Debrief: Tariff tensions and a judicial standoff in the state’s high court

This week on The Debrief: Tariff tensions, redistricting shakeup and a judicial standoff hits the high court. North Carolina braces for tariffs, judges strike key claims in NC redistricting lawsuits, and the state Supreme Court pauses the Griffin v. Riggs election. Don’t miss in depth analysis as we break down everything happening in politics and...

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Polls

January 2025 — Majority of North Carolinians Dissatisfied with Local School Education

RALEIGH — A majority of North Carolinians are dissatisfied with their local schools, according to the latest Carolina Journal Poll. This survey of 606 likely North Carolina voters asked participants how satisfied they are with the quality of K-12 education students receive in their local schools. Only 33.3% said they were satisfied, while 55.2% said they...

November 2024 – General Election Renews Voter Optimism

RALEIGH — Optimism about the direction of the country and North Carolina has surged among voters following the 2024 general election, according to the latest Carolina Journal poll. Nearly half of voters (48%) believe the U.S. is headed in the right direction following the 2024 election, a 21-point increase since this question was last polled, while...

October 2024 – Trump and Harris in Dead Heat in North Carolina Battleground

RALEIGH – The race for president remains at a statistical tie in North Carolina, a key battleground state on the road to the White House. Former President Donald Trump (47.2%) is .6 points ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris (46.6%). The number of undecided voters has declined to 4.1%. Only 2% of voters say they...

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State Government

Federal Government

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Federal Appeals Court skeptical of state’s arguments in NC felon voting case

A three-judge federal Appeals Court panel questioned Friday why North Carolina state government lawyers challenged a lower court’s injunction in a case dealing with felon voting. The April 2024 injunction blocked state prosecutors from enforcing a law that created a Class I felony for convicted felons who vote in North Carolina elections without having their rights restored.

CJ Staff

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