Republicans overtake Democrats on NC voter rolls

For the first time in state history, registered Republicans now outnumber registered Democrats in North Carolina, according to the most recent voter registration snapshot based on data from the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

Official Voter Registration Numbers (as of Jan. 3, 2026):
Republicans: 2,315,067
Democrats: 2,312,990
Unaffiliated (no party): 2,976,558
Green: 4,376
Libertarian: 46,608
Total registered voters: 7,655,591

Figures out on Saturday show figures Republicans edging ahead of Democrats by 2,077 voters, a historic shift in a state where Democratic registration long held an advantage. The growth of unaffiliated voters has outpaced both parties, with roughly seven in 10 new registrants choosing no party affiliation in the most recent reporting period.

Analysis from the John Locke Foundation places the current shift within a broader historical context. For much of the 20th century, Democrats dominated North Carolina politics, but long-term declines in Democratic registration, alongside steady growth in Republican and unaffiliated registrations, have gradually reshaped the state’s political landscape. That realignment became evident in 2010, when Republicans won majority control of the North Carolina General Assembly, a position they have held since that time while advancing a more conservative agenda focused on lower taxes and reduced spending.




https://www.carolinajournal.com/republicans-overtake-democrats-on-nc-voter-rolls/