ELECTORAL VOTES 15

2012 ELECTION Swing State New! 2012 North Carolina Polls >>

ABOUT
NORTH CAROLINA

2010 Census Reapportionment: North Carolina will remain at 15 electoral votes for the 2012, 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.



North Carolina, one of the original 13 colonies, entered the Union in November 1789. The state did not participate in the 1864 election due to secession. Like many other southern states, North Carolina voted almost exclusively Democratic from 1876 through 1964 and almost exclusively Republican beginning in 1968. The initial shift was largely in response to white conservative voter uneasiness with the civil rights legislation passed in the mid-1960s, which was effectively exploited by the Republicans “southern strategy.” In 2008, Barack Obama reversed the trend of Republican dominance here (although just barely), defeating John McCain by about 14,000 votes out of 4.3 million cast (49.7% to 49.4%). It was the 2nd closest race of the 2008 election (behind Missouri). North Carolina will be a swing state to watch in 2012.