News-Record.com

Voterspeak is discussing what how the big registration numbers among Democrats might weigh in the fall election.

The question: Roughly 50 percent of voter registrations this year are Democratic, while only about 20 percent are Republican registrations. About a third of the registrations are independent. What impact (if any) do you believe the increase in Democratic registrations will have on North Carolina's election results?

Join the conversation in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Jeff Bartolet, 38, Republican: It is not surprising nearly 30 percent don’t identify with either party and that 30 percent will be the deciding factor. What is surprising is how long one party can ride their wave of anti-Bush campaigning, which most likely impacted the registration percentages. I hope the biased and incessant polling will prove futile again this year. Maybe the media gods would learn a little lesson in fairness ... probably not though, their agenda is quite obvious.

Phyllis Davis, 64, Republican: Since North Carolina is one of the states that Acorn might have illegally registered voters, I think this could have a big impact on the elections. Democrats are using “scare tactics” to get voters to register - responsible Republicans were already registered. If election is close there will be a recount.

Kendall Garvin, 29, unaffiliated: It definitely makes things interesting as the election date approaches because of the uncertainty. The main question I have is how many of these new voters will actually vote, since they have not voted before. Another concern that I’ve noticed is that inexperienced voters usually have more trouble with voting because they are not aware of various things that experienced voters automatically know. For example, I have talked to SEVERAL young inexperienced voters who still are not sure of where to go vote and others who think they can just show up some place and simply vote. Missing that one piece of information can take up a lot of time for someone trying to vote.
I don’t think any one can predict how things will go in North Carolina or even in America because of so many different variables until the election day.

Trevor Hamm, 25, Democrat: I think that the increase in Democratic registrations could realistically lead to Democratic candidates winning the presidential, senatorial and gubernatorial races in N.C. I think the increase in registrations just speaks to the frustrations people have had with the current state of the country and the necessity they feel to do something about it.

Marlene Costa Nielsen, 67, Democrat: I would think that most Democratic candidates would have an advantage, given these numbers and the level of discontent among voters.

Kate Peeples, 27, unaffiliated I just don't think the math works out in the Republicans' favor on this one. I think that 30 percent chunk of independents is going to go Democratic, at least for the most part. I don't think McCain's performances in the last couple of debates, nor Palin's public appearances, have done much to boost their standing here. As far as the presidential election goes, I think North Carolina just might "go blue." The other partisan races, especially Dole and Hagan for the US Senate seat, are much tougher to predict. I still think that one in particular could go either way (and I happen to think their ads are much nastier than the Obama/McCain ones).

Ruth Mary Weston, 54, Democrat: Conventional wisdom says the surge in Democratic registrations gives them an edge. However, it won’t result in proportional turnout because most are young/minority, who historically vote less habitually.
I think Republican flight to Unaffiliated is more telling, and linked to national government performance. The Unaffiliated pool is diverse, and no one message will reliably gain all that support. They’ll decide the national election. Party faithfuls will decide down-ballot races.

Weston also included this document.