North Carolina civic engagement varies sharply by election type. The State Board of Elections reports 73.73% turnout in the 2024 presidential general election, compared with 51.14% in the 2022 non-presidential general election and 24.14% in the 2024 presidential primary. These statewide measures count ballots cast as a share of eligible voters and show how participation changes when the office, contest, and election season change. North Carolina State Board of Elections, Voter Turnout
Contents
- Presidential general-election turnout
- Non-presidential general-election turnout
- How people voted
- Presidential primary turnout
- Non-presidential primary turnout
- What the statewide measures show
Presidential general-election turnout
Presidential general elections have been the strongest recurring measure of statewide electoral participation in the series. In 2024, North Carolina had 7,763,502 eligible voters and 5,723,987 ballots cast, producing 73.73% turnout. In 2020, 7,359,798 eligible voters produced 5,545,848 ballots and 75.35% turnout. The 2020 percentage was higher than 2024 even though the 2024 election had more eligible voters and more ballots cast.
The 2016 presidential general election recorded 6,914,248 eligible voters, 4,769,640 ballots cast, and 68.98% turnout. In 2012, the corresponding figures were 6,639,131 eligible voters, 4,540,488 ballots cast, and 68.40% turnout. The 2008 election reached 69.53%, with 4,354,052 ballots cast among 6,262,566 eligible voters. Each figure is for the statewide presidential general election identified by the State Board of Elections. Voter Turnout
| Presidential general election | Eligible voters | Ballots cast | Turnout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7,763,502 | 5,723,987 | 73.73% |
| 2020 | 7,359,798 | 5,545,848 | 75.35% |
| 2016 | 6,914,248 | 4,769,640 | 68.98% |
| 2012 | 6,639,131 | 4,540,488 | 68.40% |
| 2008 | 6,262,566 | 4,354,052 | 69.53% |
Earlier presidential elections show a long period of lower participation. Turnout was 64.26% in 2004, based on 3,551,675 ballots cast and 5,526,981 eligible voters. It was 58.88% in 2000, with 3,015,964 ballots cast among 5,122,123 eligible voters, and 58.76% in 1996, with 2,513,357 ballots cast among 4,277,000 eligible voters.
The 1992 presidential general election had 2,611,850 ballots cast and 3,817,380 eligible voters, or 68.40% turnout. In 1988, 2,134,370 ballots were cast among 3,432,040 eligible voters, producing 62.19%. Turnout was 68.45% in 1984, with 2,239,051 ballots cast and 3,270,933 eligible voters; 66.88% in 1980, with 1,855,833 ballots cast and 2,774,844 eligible voters; and 65.70% in 1976, with 1,677,906 ballots cast and 2,553,717 eligible voters. The 1972 presidential general election recorded 1,518,612 ballots cast among 2,357,645 eligible voters, or 64.41%. Voter Turnout
Non-presidential general-election turnout
Participation is lower in the non-presidential general-election series than in the recent presidential elections. In 2022, North Carolina had 7,412,050 eligible voters, 3,790,202 ballots cast, and 51.14% turnout. In 2018, 3,755,778 ballots were cast among 7,089,657 eligible voters, for 52.98% turnout. The 2014 election recorded 2,918,052 ballots cast among 6,628,521 eligible voters, or 44.02%.
The 2010 non-presidential general election had 2,700,393 ballots cast and 6,172,787 eligible voters, producing 43.57% turnout. In 2006, 2,036,451 ballots were cast among 5,567,424 eligible voters, or 36.58%. The 2002 election reached 46.97%, with 2,349,966 ballots cast and 5,003,297 eligible voters.
| Non-presidential general election | Eligible voters | Ballots cast | Turnout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 7,412,050 | 3,790,202 | 51.14% |
| 2018 | 7,089,657 | 3,755,778 | 52.98% |
| 2014 | 6,628,521 | 2,918,052 | 44.02% |
| 2010 | 6,172,787 | 2,700,393 | 43.57% |
| 2006 | 5,567,424 | 2,036,451 | 36.58% |
The earlier series is uneven. Turnout was 42.80% in 1998, when 2,012,149 ballots were cast among 4,700,799 eligible voters. It was 42.18% in 1994, with 1,533,728 ballots cast and 3,635,875 eligible voters. The 1990 election stands at 61.80%, based on 2,068,904 ballots cast among 3,347,635 eligible voters. In 1986, turnout was 51.65%, with 1,591,330 ballots cast and 3,080,990 eligible voters. The 1982 election recorded 49.75%, with 1,330,630 ballots cast among 2,674,787 eligible voters.
North Carolina recorded 46.74% turnout in the 1978 non-presidential general election, when 1,135,814 ballots were cast among 2,430,306 eligible voters. In 1974, 1,020,367 ballots were cast among 2,279,646 eligible voters, producing 44.76%. These measures describe election participation, not the share of residents who were eligible or registered in any particular year. Voter Turnout
How people voted
Voting method has shifted toward early voting in the recent presidential general-election figures. In 2024, early voting accounted for 74% of voters, compared with 21% voting in person on Election Day, 5% using absentee by mail, and less than 1% using provisional ballots. In 2020, the shares were 65% early voting, 16% Election Day in-person voting, 18% absentee by mail, and less than 1% provisional ballots.
The 2016 presidential general election recorded 62% early voting, 33% Election Day in-person voting, 4% absentee by mail, and less than 1% provisional ballots. In 2012, early voting was 56%, Election Day in-person voting was 38%, absentee by mail was 5%, and provisional ballots were less than 1%. In 2008, the shares were 55.5% early voting, 38.5% Election Day in-person voting, 5% absentee by mail, and less than 1% provisional ballots. Voter Turnout
Non-presidential elections also show increasing use of early voting in the supplied recent series. In 2022, early voting represented 53% of voters, Election Day in-person voting 42%, absentee by mail 5%, and provisional ballots less than 1%. In 2018, the shares were 52%, 44%, 3%, and less than 1%, respectively. In 2014, early voting was 37%, Election Day in-person voting was 60%, absentee by mail was 2%, and provisional ballots were less than 1%.
The 2010 non-presidential general election recorded 33% early voting, 64% Election Day in-person voting, 2% absentee by mail, and less than 1% provisional ballots. In 2006, 19% used early voting, 78% voted in person on Election Day, 2% used absentee by mail, and less than 1% used provisional ballots. These percentages are shares of total voters using each method, not turnout rates among separate eligible-voter groups. Voter Turnout
Presidential primary turnout
Presidential primary participation is below presidential general-election participation in every listed recent comparison. The 2024 presidential primary had 7,456,236 eligible voters, 1,800,118 ballots cast, and 24.14% turnout. In 2020, 2,164,731 ballots were cast among 6,940,995 eligible voters, producing 31.19%. The 2016 primary recorded 2,323,590 ballots cast among 6,511,143 eligible voters, or 35.69%.
Turnout was 34.66% in the 2012 presidential primary, based on 2,182,675 ballots cast and 6,296,759 eligible voters. In 2008, the figures were 2,182,215 ballots cast, 5,765,303 eligible voters, and 36.86% turnout. The 2004 primary recorded 846,542 ballots cast among 5,177,764 eligible voters, or 16.35%. Voter Turnout
The earlier presidential primary series includes 17.62% turnout in 2000, with 868,593 ballots cast among 4,930,310 eligible voters; 19.38% in 1996, with 781,980 ballots cast among 4,034,233 eligible voters; and 27.66% in 1992, with 975,446 ballots cast among 3,527,187 eligible voters. In 1988, 953,759 ballots were cast among 3,191,502 eligible voters, producing 29.88% turnout.
Non-presidential primary turnout
The non-presidential primary series is generally lower than the presidential primary series, although the values vary by year. The 2026 non-presidential primary had 7,664,465 eligible voters, 1,511,050 ballots cast, and 19.72% turnout. This is the March 3, 2026 primary reported by the State Board of Elections, not a forecast. In 2022, 1,432,819 ballots were cast among 7,236,469 eligible voters, producing 19.80% turnout.
In 2018, the non-presidential primary recorded 957,627 ballots cast among 6,674,290 eligible voters, or 14.35%. The 2014 primary recorded 1,028,600 ballots cast among 6,516,126 eligible voters, or 15.79%. In 2010, 880,128 ballots were cast among 6,105,831 eligible voters, producing 14.41% turnout.
The 2006 non-presidential primary had 651,086 ballots cast among 5,460,054 eligible voters, or 11.92%. In 2002, 1,060,667 ballots were cast among 4,999,736 eligible voters, producing 21.21%. The 1998 primary recorded 805,319 ballots cast among 4,547,438 eligible voters, or 17.71%. In 1994, 430,838 ballots were cast among 3,544,095 eligible voters, producing 12.16%, while the 1990 primary recorded 538,651 ballots cast among 3,147,867 eligible voters, or 17.11%. Voter Turnout
What the statewide measures show
The figures describe several distinct participation environments. Presidential general elections reached 75.35% turnout in 2020 and 73.73% in 2024, while the listed non-presidential general elections ranged from 36.58% in 2006 to 52.98% in 2018. Presidential primaries ranged from 16.35% in 2004 to 36.86% in 2008. Non-presidential primaries ranged from 11.92% in 2006 to 21.21% in 2002 among the historical entries, with 19.72% reported for the March 3, 2026 primary.
The voting-method figures add a second dimension to civic engagement. Early voting represented 74% of voters in the 2024 presidential general election, while it represented 19% in the 2006 non-presidential general election. Election Day in-person voting moved in the opposite direction across those supplied examples, from 21% in 2024 to 78% in 2006. Absentee-by-mail shares were 18% in the 2020 presidential general election and 2% in the 2006 non-presidential general election. North Carolina State Board of Elections, Voter Turnout
These are statewide election measures. They should be read with their measurement period and election type attached: a presidential general-election turnout rate is not interchangeable with a primary rate, a non-presidential rate, or a voting-method share. The State Board of Elections reports general-election turnout as ballots cast divided by eligible voters; the method percentages describe how total voters cast their ballots.