Editor’s note: Today’s show is the first in a new Due South series – The Purple Ballot examines the role, impact, and politics of North Carolina in the 2024 election.
It's a big election year. In the North Carolina state legislature, all 50 state Senate seats, and all 120 state House seats are on the ballot.
There's a presidential election. And, the one race for Governor in the South is in North Carolina.
Things are a little different around here. Since 1980, there have been 11 general elections, and North Carolinians have split their ballots in seven of them. Picking a Democrat to be Governor, and a Republican for President.
This has resulted in voters supporting Jim Hunt and Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush and Mike Easley and Donald Trump and Roy Cooper -- that last one has happened twice.
If you go back to 1972, voters have split their tickets nine out of 14 times. Interestingly, not once, has the split seen a Republican win the Governorship and a Democrat carry the state at federal level.
Due South co-host Jeff Tiberii looks ahead to the 2024 elections with a panel of reporters and political scientists.
Guests
Lucille Sherman, reporter at Axios Raleigh
Susan Roberts, Professor of Political Science at Davidson College
Michael Bitzer, Professor of Politics and History at Catawba College
Stephen Fowler, Political Reporter at Georgia Public Broadcasting
