Asheville:
North Carolina is experiencing rapid growth, with an increase in registered voters, especially unaffiliated ones. According to data from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the state will be the seventh most populated by 2030. In Buncombe County, unaffiliated voters have surpassed both Democrats and Republicans, making up around 42.8% of registered voters, up from 21.3% in 2004.
A Changing Landscape
The rise of unaffiliated voters presents a unique challenge to the political landscape. These voters are not a uniform group; some follow party lines, while others are swing voters. Younger individuals tend to lean towards unaffiliated status, seeking freedom to participate in primary elections of either major party.
Party Affiliation and Voting Freedom
Registering as unaffiliated allows voters in North Carolina to participate in either party’s primary, offering greater flexibility compared to being aligned with a specific party. However, this freedom poses concerns for party leaders, who fear dilution of votes and strategic voting in primaries.
Impact on Elections
Recent trends show more unaffiliated voters participating in the Democratic primary than the Republican primary, indicating potential shifts in political preferences. Polarization in the media and disillusionment with traditional party structures may be driving the increase in unaffiliated voter registration.
Reaching Unaffiliated Voters
Candidates in Buncombe County are adapting to the rise of unaffiliated voters by running as unaffiliated themselves. The process of gaining ballot access as an unaffiliated candidate involves collecting signatures from a significant portion of registered voters in the county, proving challenging but feasible.
A Home for Dissatisfied Voters
Candidates like Van Duncan and Bruce O’Connell aim to engage disenchanted and uninvolved voters, encouraging them to participate in the political process. Their campaigns seek to provide a platform for individuals who feel marginalized by traditional party structures.
Overall, the surge in unaffiliated voters in Buncombe County reflects broader shifts in political attitudes and a growing desire for alternatives to traditional party affiliations. As the population continues to evolve, the role of unaffiliated voters in shaping the political landscape is only expected to grow.