Unaffiliated voters extended their lead in early voting as voter enthusiasm seemed to slow on the fourteenth day of early voting in New Hanover County. Unaffiliated voters have expanded their lead in early voting, with 30,327 votes cast so far, according to State Board of Elections data. This places them nearly 2,000 votes ahead of Republican voters
- Republicans are in second place having submitted 28,373 ballots to date and Democrats are in third with 24,639 votes cast, marking a distinct gap in early voter enthusiasm.
Turnout trends: Wednesday recorded the smallest weekday turnout since early voting began on October 17, with only 6,247 ballots submitted. This downturn follows two record-breaking days of early voting, leaving analysts uncertain about the reason behind the sudden decrease.
Driving the trend: Although no major weather or logistical issues were reported, the slowdown may reflect voter fatigue or tapering off as early voting nears its conclusion. With Election Day just around the corner, the initial surge of early voters may have reached a natural limit, impacting daily turnout numbers.
Where it stands: Currently, 44.25% of registered voters have cast ballots in the 2024 general election. The strong showing of unaffiliated voters suggests a potential shift in political momentum, as both Republicans and Democrats strive to mobilize their bases in the days remaining.
Looking ahead: With early voting winding down, it remains to be seen whether turnout will bounce back before Election Day. The final stretch will be critical for both major parties as they seek to close the gap and counteract the strength of unaffiliated voters at the polls.
