A Record Setting Vote in North Carolina

For the first time since I have been voting in the state the North Carolina primary will play a significant role in the selection of a Democratic nominee for the office of President. In most election years the state primary comes so late in the year one candidate has the nomination locked up and the primary here has little effect other than to confirm support for the chosen nominee.

The difference this year is striking. For the past two weeks the two Democratic contenders for the nomination have covered virtually every corner of the state from the far reaches of Wilmington on the East coast to Asheville in the Western mountains. In addition to Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton Bill and Chelsea Clinton have visited numerous towns and cities across the state.

For the past two weeks attention has turned from the early campaign states to Indiana and North Carolina. While Senator Obama is said to have more money resources the campaign ads on television seem to be equally divided between Clinton and Obama.

Telephone canvassing has increased dramatically during the last three days leading up to the vote. Here, the Clinton campaign seems to be represented in far greater numbers than the Obama campaign. To date calls to our home have run four to one in support of Senator Clinton in what appears to be a desperate last minute rush to get out the vote for Hillary Clinton. Over the past weekend our household has received eight different calls from the Clinton camp asking for our vote and offering in return a ride to and from the polls at no cost.

The Raleigh News and Observer predicted a record setting voter turnout with Democratic turnout expected to reach 50% of registered voters. This compares with turnout levels ranging from 16 to 30% in previous elections.

Surprisingly, the Clinton campaign has gotten an unexpected boost from John McCain supporters as the Republican campaign has elected to run very controversial television ads featuring some the more shocking clips from the sermons of Reverend Jeremiah Wright. These ads, opposed by Senator McCain, allow the Clinton campaign to stay clear of controversy and responsibility for the ads, while at the same time gaining political benefit from the shadow these cast of Senator Obama. The controversy surrounding Reverend Wright comments are expected to have more impact in the rural areas of the state and among the blue-collar workforce the Clinton campaign has been courting.

Recent polls have indicated that Senator Obama has a strong lead in the state, but there is evidence that the gap is closing. Tuesday morning (election day) the Real Clear Politics Poll shows Senator Obama holding an eight-point lead over Senator Clinton.

Driving the final three city blocks through the suburban neighbor surrounding the polling station I passed by many yard signs seeking support for various local officials, an array of municipal bonds, Congressional, Senatorial and Gubernatorial candidates. Just off the restricted grounds of the polling station two small, but distinct bands of supporters took positions on opposite sides of the road waving either the bright blue HILLARY signs or the red and while OBAMA signs, each group chanting their respective candidate's name.

Arriving at my polling station at 9:30 AM I found a line of voters, which was shorter than I expected given the publicity shown this election. The line extended from the gymnasium out into the parking lot for an estimated 50 to 75 feet. Thankfully, it was beautiful, sunny day with temperatures in the high 60's. The waiting line seemed to be evenly distributed between men and women, a majority of which was middle aged or younger. White voters were about 60% of the total while the Afro-American voters consisted largely of young college aged young men and women. The Greensboro News - Record reports that registration among people 18-24 for this year's election is higher than the total number of people who registered to vote during the same period in 2004. Michael Graves, the head of the local NAACP credits the Obama campaign with the registration of younger voters who had not previously participated in the election process.

As voters completed the voting process and left the building several of us waiting in line inquired as to how long we could expect to be in line. The answer most often given was 'about 20 minutes'. After about 15 minutes in line poll workers walked down the line and offered sample ballots for those who wanted them. These were helpful as there were many issues on the ballot.

The poll workers also cautioned those in line wearing buttons or ribbons supporting one candidate or another advising potential voters that these material could not be brought within 100 feet of the polls and anyone wearing them could be denied his or her vote. A large blue, plastic trash can was positioned adjacent to line approximately 100 feet from the entrance to the polls in which any such campaign support material could be deposited.

As I stood in line and watched a few dozen people removing their campaign support buttons, pins and ribbons and throw them into the can it occurred to me that a count of these items would provide an indicator of how the vote was going. After voting I made a point of stopping by and looking into the barrel to conduct a rough count of those buttons and ribbons I could see on the surface ( I was willing to pull these out of the barrel to get a better count, but my red-faced wife said no). The result of my small poll was Senator Clinton - 15 Senator Obama - 13. Needless to say, this was a very unscientific poll. The most interesting button I found (and wanted to keep) included a photo of Hillary dressed as Wonder Woman and a caption which read "Hillary To The Rescue".

Once inside the polling station the check-in process was fast and orderly. I was surprised to find that no identification was required. Voting was done via electronic voting machines that were easy to use and appeared to function efficiently. After completing the ballot each voter was given the opportunity to review and if necessary revise his or her vote.

On leaving the polling station I spoke with several people who agreed that the high interest generated by the close Democratic race for president was a good thing for North Carolina as in addition to involving more people in the selection process, the high voter turnout would also involve a more representative electorate in local races and in approving of several large bond issues.

It is difficult to judge based on a visit to one polling place, but most of the people with whom I have spoken feel the North Carolina vote for President will be much closer than projected in the polls.