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Passion for politics
Campaign season turning out numbers in Cabarrus
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Published: October 4, 2008
Thanks to the personalities of a heated presidential race and the seemingly endless news coverage of those personalities, Election 2008 has become equal parts political match and pop culture event.
And Cabarrus County is seeing record voter registration numbers because of it, election officials said.
"Eight-year elections are really, really big elections," said Linda Grist, director of the Board of Elections. "I think a lot of it is the news media. There has been a lot of coverage about this election. It's the presidential race. It's the economy. I think everything plays into it."
July through September, the Cabarrus County Board of Election registered 7,168 voters, making for a 54.4 percent increase over the same months in 2004.
The recently registered group of voters, Grist said, is considered more serious voters in that they have registered for the sole purpose of voting on November 4.
"They're not just doing it at the DMV," Grist said. "These people are coming into vote. They are adamant about voting."
Because of this, Grist said she expects a much higher voter turnout than average on Election Day.
On average, Cabarrus County has a 58-65 percent voter turnout during presidential elections, but Grist said the excitement over the presidential election may exceed those averages.
"I expect at least 65 or 70 percent," Grist said.
According to Thursday's weekly report from the Board of Elections, the county had 105,481 voters.
Of those voters, 43,087 were registered Republicans, 38,247 were Democrats; and 20,620 were unaffiliated.
Grist said the Board of Elections has not seen any more registration of Democrats or Republicans for the race between presidential hopefuls Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
"I'm not seeing that," Grist said. "I think it's been a mixture. But we're so busy registering, that I have been able to really look."
October kicks the election season into high gear for the Board of Elections.
Though voter registration ends Oct. 10, voters can still register at one-stop voting sites. However, Grist warned that voters should prepare for a lengthier one-stop experience if they register at that time.
For the first time, the Board of Elections has set up two one-stop voting sites in addition to the one at the main office.
"We plan for 100 percent of people to vote," said Board of Elections Chairman Giles Moss said. "We know they won't, but we have to plan for it."
Grist also offered some tips for voters.
For voters who option for straight-party ballots, Grist said those voters should take note that they must cast a separate vote for the presidential race.
Those voters must also be sure to vote in non-partisan races like the Cabarrus County Schools Board of Education; Court of Appeals Judge; and Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor.
"A lot of times, voters don't realize it until later on, at home," Grist said.
Away from the Presidential Race and North Carolina's governor's race, Cabarrus County has some important elections of its own.
Each of the county's state legislators is being challenged in the elections.
There are 17 candidates vying for only five seats on the Cabarrus County Schools Board of Education.
And the Cabarrus Board of County Commissioners race can often include personalities to rival those of the current presidential match.
And it's these local races that can prove most important, Moss said.
"People are thinking about the president," said Moss, a former county commissioner. "They tend to forget that the most important people in their lives are the local political officials, because they directly affect their lives."
• Contact reporter Eric C. Deines: 704-789-9141
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