Opinion
Our electoral future remains unwritten
According to post-election surveys, true swing voters comprise about a fifth of the electorate in both North Carolina and the nation.
Opinion
Registrations don’t guarantee outcomes
Four years ago, we entered the homestretch of the 2020 election cycle with 7.1 million North Carolinians registered to vote, of which 36% were Democrats and 30% Republicans. The remainder were unaffiliated (33%) or in alternative parties. This year, there are 7.6 million North Carolinians registered to vote as of early September. The Democratic share...
Opinion
Don’t overlook down-ballot races
Most Americans haven’t fully digested the historic events of the past two months. Perhaps more such twists in the presidential race are coming.
Opinion
Middle-class sentiments decide elections
Americans' perceptions about who best represents their economic interests have undergone a seismic shift — one that will have an impact on this election and those going forward.
Opinion
Where have all the debates gone?
I can’t be the only one who loves a good debate. During election seasons past, I’d get as excited for a big debate as others do for a major sporting event. But there has been a sharp drop in candidates willing to participate in a classic, no-holds-barred verbal rumble. Starting at the top, former-President Donald...
Opinion
Ballot will feature many competitive races
It goes without saying that North Carolina’s 16 electoral votes for president will, as usual, be heavily contested next year by the two major-party nominees, who are presumed to be Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump. I’m not yet ready to accept that presumption, by the way. I think it’s possible, for example, that...
Opinion
Fighting to restore the ‘day’ in Election Day
Remember when Election Day used to be an actual day? You’d gather with your family and friends to find out who the next president was going to be. It was a time to celebrate our republic, as Americans went to have their voices heard at the ballot box. Now Americans don’t learn results for days,...
Opinion
Exit polls offer useful insights
Roy Cooper earned the votes of 8% of those who voted for Trump and Tillis. Dan Forest received only 2% of the votes of Biden and Cunningham supporters.
Opinion
Don’t buy myth about voter turnout
Too many have bought into the widespread assumption that lower turnout tends to benefit Republicans. This constitutes little more than political folklore.
Opinion
Interest in Mark Robinson is a reminder that tepid conservatism won’t win elections
A number of high profile Republican political candidates are already jockeying to be the next U.S. Senator from North Carolina. Yet, much of the attention quickly pivoted towards the suspense of Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson running. Even if Robinson was merely drumming up his name ID for the news cycle, with no serious consideration of...
Opinion
Judge worries case could prompt candidates to shield their views
A recent N.C. Court of Appeals ruling prompts one judge to warn against threats to free speech and open debate.
Opinion
Electoral College has little to do with race, slavery
Given the result of the 2016 presidential election, it’s not surprising Democrats are talking a lot about the Electoral College as the 2020 campaign gets under way. A number of their candidates want it abolished. Race has become a central feature of the debate. Prominent scholars on the left assert the Electoral College was established to safeguard and propagate...
