I live in a deeply red district in NC, so I am used to being "outnumbered" being a liberal Democrat (there are still "Democrats" in my area but mostly holdovers from Dixiecrat days who still refer to minorities as "colored"). Anyway, as usual I did my duty and early voted today, head held high, and ear to the ground. I love nothing more than to hear the chatter from others standing in line or just meandering around socializing outside after casting their ballots. As is more often the case here in midterm elections, the majority of people I saw today were seniors. I'm now officially one of them, outed by the fact that I have let my silver hair take control over the past few years. Since I dropped the Clairol, I find that at the gym and grocery stores I am more often engaged in conversation by other seniors as if I am now suddenly an accepted member of the club. Today was no different. I expected an earful about Obama, Benghazi, ISIS and Ebola. So imagine my shock when what I heard instead was real anger over 1)these danged new voting restrictions, and 2) the mess McCrory and Tillis have made of this state.
First, I think our esteemed Governor Pat McCrory and the Thom Tillis led legislature may have really overstepped with their new voter suppression bill. It seems from the sampling I got today, most people thought the bill only meant you had to show your driver's license or ID to vote. This was something they had no issue with, in fact some were surprised it wasn't in effect yet---we were told it takes effect in 2016. Some also mentioned the fact that the new law also alleviates voting on college campuses, same day registration (which I believe has been reinstated on appeal) and the real kicker for many: no more straight ticket voting box. This really, pardon the pun, ticked off quite a few people. I believe that the GOP somehow came to the conclusion that more Democrats vote straight ticket so they eliminated the ability to just check a single box. Well, I can tell you that not a few people in line with me today were very unhappy about this news (I heard one even complaining to the poll monitor). Let me state again, these people I was in line with were all pretty outspoken Conservative folks. And they are not happy with the Governor or Thom Tillis--and were very vocal about it even as they were in their little desk area filling in their ballots. I have to say I was quite amused.I would also note that as I was walking in to the building I received several voting cards and free pens, etc, but only the Democrats saw fit to hand out a card with a ballot showing all the Democratic-approved candidates (this is really important when voting for Judges and School Board as their affiliation is not noted on the ballot. ) I did not receive anything similar for Republican candidates.
Part two of their dissatisfaction, I admit, I have been hearing for awhile. Where I live they are very proud of their schools. High School football is really big here and family night out for even Grandma and Grandpa. There are people here who still attend regularly even though they don't have a dog in the fight. Well, what the "restructuring" the GOP legislature has done to the tax system here has taken a real toll on the schools. Families are having to pay more for everything, much of which was once provided free. Sales taxes were raised, but the state income tax was lowered. Unfortunately for most of the people here, there is no savings from that lowered state tax, but a huge dent in their pocketbooks from increased taxes on food and everything else. And while seniors don't feel the pinch from the added school fees, they do feel it at the grocery store and Walmart.
The senior vote, at least where I live in NC, has always been pretty reliably Conservative. In change years, the occasional Democrat has managed to get elected, but generally by being really just a less radical Republican (a DINO). And they generally only last one or two terms before they are replaced by a full-fledged Republican.
I also know that most of the wealthier seniors vote absentee ballot here and are heavily Conservative. But in my neck of the woods, going to the polls is a social event. I know it isn't much to go on, but I can report I heard at least a few Republicans here saying they'd voted for Kay Hagan, even if it was mainly because there was no way they would ever vote for Thom Tillis. I only hope there are more who feel the same way.
I also want to say I was deeply disappointed that the Democrats did not even bother to field candidates in either of the state legislature races from my district. (That is how red it is here). I think this was a big mistake and one I hope they correct for 2016. We can't expect to turn back bad legislation, like these voter suppression bills, if we can't even give the voters a choice. I believe as a whole these state races are where the Democratic Party needs to step up their game. You can't expect to win if you can't be bothered to enter the race.