In a Carolina Journal poll conducted shortly after the November elections, 43% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the results of the 2024 primaries, stating that they did not produce the best candidates for the general election. While 46% were satisfied and 10% were unsure, the significant level of dissatisfaction highlights potential issues within North Carolina’s primary system.

This dissatisfaction highlights the need to examine how North Carolina’s primary system compares to other states and whether its current structure truly serves voters. North Carolina is one of 38 states that require candidates to win a plurality of votes, rather than a majority, to secure a primary victory. In 2017, The Electoral Freedom Act moved the threshold from 40% for primary winners to 30% plus one vote. While the bill created more access to the electoral process for unaffiliated and third party candidates, it also gave North Carolina the lowest threshold in the nation for winning a primary.

The immediate result was primary wins for now US Rep. Chuck Edwards, NC-11; Sandy Smith in the First Congressional District; and Bo Hines in the open 13th Congressional District. Edwards got 33% of the vote over Madison Cawthorn’s 32% and remains in office today. Hines got 32% and was defeated by Democrat Wiley Nickel. Smith won 31% and was defeated by Democrat Don Davis. Democrat Charles Graham won 31% of the vote in a four-way contest for his party’s Seventh Congressional District nomination and went on to lose in the general election to the Republican incumbent, US Rep. David Rouzer.

Compared to other states, North Carolina’s threshold stands out as exceptionally low. For instance, the next lowest is South Dakota’s 35%, while eight states require a candidate to secure a majority (50% + 1) to win outright. However, runoff elections are more likely under a 50% threshold requirement, creating a higher cost for taxpayers and increased voter fatigue. For example, turnout in this year’s primary was 24%, while turnout for the runoff elections dropped to just 2.7%. Fewer than 3% of voters would likely decide many more runoff elections and set their party’s candidate in the general election.

The previous 40% threshold seems to be more of a sweet spot. It’s certainly more politically achievable and gives a candidate a clearer base of support in the general election, although more runoffs are likely. This year, the state held three key runoff elections after the March primary:

Republican Hal Weatherman defeated Jim O’Neil to advance in the race for lieutenant governor. In the auditor’s race, Dave Boliek faced Jack Clark for the Republican nomination. In Congressional District 13, Kelly Daughtry competed against Brad Knott but ultimately withdrew her candidacy before Republican voters headed to the polls.

However, the current 30% threshold introduces its own challenges. By lowering the bar, it often increases the number of candidates in a primary, making it harder for voters to clearly differentiate policy positions. Candidates must often pivot quickly after appealing to a smaller 30% base of ideologically driven primary voters, then work to broaden their appeal to the rest of their party and the general electorate. When candidates advance with little more than 30% support, it can lead to splintered party backing, weakening their chances in the general election.

The current system allows a candidate to win a primary with just a fraction of their party’s support, raising concerns about their ability to represent the party’s broader will. Returning to a 40% threshold could help address this issue, fostering voter confidence, encouraging competition, and producing candidates with broader party support.

A 40% threshold ensures that primary winners represent a more significant percentage of their party. It incentivizes candidates to engage with a wider range of voters, articulate clear policy visions, and build coalitions. This approach is particularly important in a politically diverse state like North Carolina.

Encouragingly, despite concerns about the primary process, voter optimism in North Carolina is rising. In the same post-election poll, 70% of voters believed the 2024 elections were “free and fair,” and 50% felt the state is on the right track — a significant increase from 33% in August.

Increasing the primary threshold to 40% is a straightforward reform that builds on existing electoral processes, avoiding the complexity and potential voter confusion associated with implementing ranked-choice voting. Unlike ranked-choice systems, which require significant education efforts and can lead to delayed results, the 40% threshold ensures clarity and simplicity while fostering greater voter confidence. Additionally, a 40% threshold incentivizes candidates to appeal to a broader base of voters without requiring costly changes to election infrastructure or procedures.

Reforming North Carolina’s primary system to return to a 40% threshold is not about favoring a particular party or ideology. It is about strengthening the electoral process to serve the people of North Carolina better.