Our Approach

North Carolina Voter Project is committed to expanding voter registration, access to trusted election information, and civic participation across the state.  We use research, technology, and community-based outreach to reach eligible voters and remove barriers to participation.

As we approach the 2026 general election and beyond, our work focuses on engaging underserved communities and encouraging civic participation grounded in nonpartisan values such as free and fair elections, the rule of law, civil liberties, and citizen participation.

Why This Work Matters

Elections are often decided by narrow margins. When civic participation declines, communities are not fully represented. Civic engagement helps build informed communities, strengthens shared responsibility, and ensures decisions reflect the people they serve.

In North Carolina, one in four eligible voters (about two million people) are not registered to vote, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections (April 15, 2024). Increasing voter registration and participation helps ensure that communities across the state are accurately represented.

Recent North Carolina elections show how close statewide races can be

    • 2008 Presidential Election: decided by 13,692 votes

    • 2012 Presidential Election: decided by 92,004 votes

    • 2016 Presidential Election: decided by 173,315 votes

    • 2020 Presidential Election: decided by 74,483 votes (1.3%)

    • 2024 Presidential Election: decided by 183,048 votes (3.2%)

Even closer, a 2024 North Carolina Supreme Court race was decided by just 734 votes out of 2.7 million cast.

When elections are this close, participation truly matters.

Data-Driven Strategy

To improve registration rates and participation, North Carolina Voter Project uses technology, research, and targeted outreach to identify and engage eligible voters across the state. Our approach focuses on helping people understand how voting connects to issues that affect their daily lives and encouraging participation in a nonpartisan way.

As our board member and former appellate judge, Wanda Bryant, often says:

“We can no longer afford to do things the same old way and expect different results.”

Trusted Voter Information

For official, nonpartisan information about registering and voting, visit the North Carolina State Board of Elections.