By Connie Sage, Correspondent
North Carolinians are registering to vote in record numbers in advance of the upcoming presidential primaries.
Pennsylvania and North Carolina are the only two remaining states with more than 100 Democratic delegates up for grabs in the hotly contested race between Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton.
In North Carolina, nearly 20,000 have changed their voter registration from Republican to Democrat or unaffiliated. Only those registered as unaffiliated or Democrat by Friday may vote in the May 6 Democratic primary.
From January through the end of March, more than 165,000 North Carolina residents had registered to vote - nearly 75,000 as Democrats, 41,000 as Republicans and nearly 50,000 as unaffiliated.
"This is the most in our history for this period of time," said Gary O. Bartlett, executive director of the state Board of Elections in Raleigh. "The bellwether year was in 2004, and we've eclipsed that."
The state's population has increased since then, but this year's rush to register is
because "people are engaged and interested" in the national election, Bartlett said.
John Pavlak of Elizabeth City said he and his wife made the switch from Republican so that they could vote in the primary.
"I am sick of what's going on in Washington," he said.
Pamela Adkisson, of Manteo, switched from Republican to unaffiliated. She said she hasn't made up her mind but probably will vote in the primary against one of the Democrats - she won't say which one - and then vote for Republican John McCain in the general election.
Through the end of March, 19,800 residents had switched from Republican to Democrat or unaffiliated, or from unaffiliated to Democrat, compared with 11,450 Democrats who similarly changed their voter registration.
There was a shift away from Republican registration for the same period prior to the 2004 primary, but by the 2006 general election, the trend was the opposite, with 5,247 Democrats or unaffiliated signing on with the GOP for the first three months of the year, versus 4,792 Democrats who changed their registration.
Before a general election, there is traditionally a run-up in voter registration, but not for a primary, said Linda Page, director of the Pasquotank County Board of Elections. In past years presidential candidates were all but decided by the time North Carolina's primary was held.
"We will have a say in this one and could very well be one of the deciding factors in who goes on the ballot in November," she said.
Charles Muirhead of Elizabeth City revised his registration from Republican to unaffiliated in March because he said he wanted to make a change.
"A Democrat in office would make a difference to this country," he said.
Shirley Waddell of Elizabeth City disagreed, saying she switched her affiliation from Democrat to Republican because her conscience wouldn't let her vote for Obama or Clinton.
"The Democratic Party is pathetic," she said.
Not all of the party changes are related to the presidential primary, however.
Livy Goodman of Edenton changed from Democratic to unaffiliated after learning that the GOP offered a full slate of Chowan County commissioner candidates this year, the first Republican primary in memory.
In Chowan, 71 Democrats changed their allegiance to the Republican Party or to unaffiliated, compared with 27 voters who shift ed to Democrat or unaffiliated.
While not all northeastern North Carolina counties are seeing heavier-than-usual voter registration, there is an upswing in Dare County.
Melva B. Garrison, Dare County's elections director, said 850 more voters registered through March compared to the same period last year, and nearly 50 residents switched from Republican to Democrat or unaffiliated.
"For the first time in my whole life, I decided to be a Democrat," said Thomas R. Rogers, of Kill Devil Hills. "I wanted to make sure I was going to be able to vote in the Democratic primary. We need a clean sweep."
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contractor's fixation
Now that contractor has shown his own fixation on homosexual prostitutes, he can take advantage of his own theory of a trip to the couch.
georges
"I'm a Clinton fan and this race is far from over."
So am I. That is my first choice. But a vote for Nader is a vote for apathy at this point.
Re:Freud in Comments
I'll take responsibility for the introduction of Freud into the blog. You only would have to review Keith's posts to determine where homosexuals & prostitutes come in,(multiple times), as well as kiddie books & frozen fear (also in abundance),.As far as Bush being mentioned, that is to be expected in a political blog..the other references appear to me, to be dissociated, & possibly motivated by something other than politics... To summarize, if Freud were alive, Keith may be possibly be able to benefit from a "trip to the couch", if Freud's theories, as I understand them, were correct...
"So, lets discuss your parents, beginning with the maternal side." Freud..ET AL lol
Now wait a minute
How did we get from politics to Freud, and homosexual prostitutes. I'm confused! I've read some Freud, know some politicians, and even know some homosexuals. Never did know any homosexual prostitutes. LOL
Ira
"It should be noted that no one is stung by this fact worse than me. How you "feel" will not change the facts that the democrats have divided themselves beyond repair."
Ira that's called an opinion which you are centaily entitled to, but I totally disagree.
I would consider votint for Nader, long before I would vote for Obama or the hothead McCain and his desire for an endless war and little knowledge of the economy. But do remember one thing, it's my vote to do with as I please, as is yours. I'm a Clinton fan and this race is far from over.
clarifies?
It clarifies what contractor admits about himself with his fixation on homosexual prostitutes.
You May Thank
Thank Dr Freud, if it has clarified anything for you. It is not my theory. lol
your theory
Your theory seems to explain repubs' fascination with Barney Frank.
I Googled Barney Frank(D), Keith......,Freud
Keith mentioning another reference including homosexual prostitutes & politicians..lol, this time a Democrat....One of Dr Freud's theories seems to suggest that a lot of choices, possibly including certain types of aberrant behavior, suggest causes more "deep rooted", than conventional wisdom may dictate. Often going back all the way to the parents.. From my understanding, Dr Freud seemed to focus more towards the maternal side though. (opinion) lol
"where you are coming from there"
So that would explain repubs' fascination with Barney Frank.
I'm too conservative to be a republican.
Re Mr Keith "No, I am not a republican"
Precisely ...think about it..You would do the Republicans more harm than good if you were one..also noticed your strange fixation with kiddie books, frozen fear, & homosexual prostitutes..still trying to figure out where you are coming from there...Sigmund Freud would have a field day with you..lol
"my only fear is it will be
"my only fear is it will be Obama, but I will not vote for McCain if Obama is the nominee. If that's the case I may just vote for Nader."
Regardless, you just displayed my point. Votes flying all over the place and the only clear loser will be the democrats. A vote for Nader? You might as well just stay home. Apathy and a vote for Nader are the same in that they are a vote for nothing.
It should be noted that no one is stung by this fact worse than me. How you "feel" will not change the facts that the democrats have divided themselves beyond repair.
contractor
If only contractor knew what he was talking about.
No, I am not a republican. Bush has his own preferences for his type of republican, his homosexual prostitute Jeff Gannon.
Re georges
I am well aware of your credentials George..Why do you think I want you to join the Republican side? As For Mr Keith I think The Republicans are better served if he stays put..lol
Name that tune... LOL
"Singa,Jinga,linga,jinga,linga,jinnnnng
Jinga Ling
Woody Guthrie"
Even I knew Guthrie was a composer and I'm not up on such things. HA!
Keith, lol
That the best you can do? Except for the name, that sounds kind of familiar...hey you are a plagiarist too!
"I know you are, but, what am I?" Pee Wee Herman lol
poor contractor
contractor, once again you are putting your ignorance on public display, for all to enjoy.
RE Keith...
Keith, once again you are putting your ignorance on public display, for all to enjoy. WG was not an author.. He was a composer..Can you say composer? lol He writes songs....lol heres a WG thats more of your caliber...
Singa,Jinga,linga,jinga,linga,jinnnnng
Jinga Ling
Woody Guthrie
contractor
Who told you about WG? That's a bit higher than the previous reading you bragged about?
Guthrie
"Now stop plagiarizing Mr Guthrie, & get out of that ridiculous democratic party. We can use a man like you on the Republican side."
Wasn't even familiar with Guthrie's words. As far as geting out of the Democratic party, not going to happen especially when you have people like George Bush, the hothead McCain, Thelma Drake, and Bob McDonnell, just to name a few. But good try!