North Carolina Republicans see turnout lagging in Helene counties

A new analysis shows North Carolina Republicans underperforming and Democrats overperforming in 13 counties hardest hit by Hurricane Helene.

North Carolina’s in-person early voting period has ended, giving us fresh insight into how people cast their ballots.

Statewide, more than 4.4 million North Carolinians have voted, according to the latest State Board of Elections data. The data shows 63.2% of Republicans, 58.7% of Democrats and 50.5% of unaffiliated voters cast a ballot through the end of early voting on Saturday. That’s a 4.5-point turnout advantage for Republicans over Democrats, or 41,457 votes.

But an Anderson Alerts analysis shows the GOP at a major disadvantage in counties most seriously impacted by Hurricane Helene, which could prove determinative in the presidential race and other statewide contests.