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N.C. Teens Most Likely to
'Pre-Register' as Unaffiliated Voters in 2010
By Bryan Warner
Published: Jan. 22, 2011
RALEIGH - More teens opted to pre-register as unaffiliated voters rather than identify themselves with any of North Carolina’s three officially recognized political parties last year, according to data from the State Board of Elections.
More than 38,000 16- and 17-year-olds pre-registered to vote in 2010, the first year in which the option was available. By pre-registering to vote, the teens will be automatically added to the rolls of active voters once they turn 18.
Girls outpaced boys slightly among teens who pre-registered to vote last year, at 52 percent. Of the teens that pre-registered in 2010, 39 percent registered as unaffiliated, while 31 percent registered as Republican, 29 percent as Democratic and 1 percent as Libertarian.
Those figures echo the increase in North Carolina voters opting to register as independents instead of allying themselves with any party. The numbers could also signal a potential boost for the GOP, which had a slight edge over Democrats in pre-registration last year.
Among currently registered North Carolina voters 18-years and above, 44 percent are Democratic, 32 percent Republican, .2 percent Libertarian and 24 percent are unaffiliated.
