Did You Know?

Rock Bottom: N.C. Saw Record-Low Turnout in ‘06

It was a so-called “blue-moon election,” with no hyped race for the White House, U.S. Senate or governor’s mansion -- a situation that the state faces just once every 12 years. And it certainly meant the blues for voter turnout.  While non-presidential elections usually suffer from relatively weak participation, 2006 marked a new low at just 37 percent.

Perhaps it was the rain, or maybe a lack of competition on the ballot (half of the state legislative races fielded only one candidate). Either way, most election observers expect a big boost in turnout come November 2008, with a blockbuster ballot full of contests deciding the heirs to President George W. Bush and Gov. Mike Easley, along with a reelection bid by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole.