‘I can’t win’: The dilemma of independent voters in North Carolina | US Elections 2024

Evan Brown is studying political science at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, and will vote for the first time in his life on November 5. And this premiere is far from happening as he would have liked, because he does not recognize himself in Kamala Harris or Donald Trump. “I would love to go vote and be excited about my choice, but I really feel like I have to choose between the lesser of two evils. »

Several voters told us this feeling during our visit to North Carolina, a key state that could well tip the scales towards Donald Trump or Kamala Harris in the race for the White House.

In 2020, North Carolina favored Donald Trump over Joe Biden by just 74,000 votes, a slim difference of 1.3 percentage points. The state, traditionally Republican, is experiencing population growth and electoral races are now fought neck and neck. The Democrats dream of getting their 16 electors, which would give a serious boost to Kamala Harris.

The fate of the election therefore appears to rest in the hands of independent voters, who are neither Democrats nor Republicans. It is especially them that Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are courting, because in the state, they represent the largest group of voters.

Hailing from a conservative Midwestern county, Evan Brown is part of that group. He grew up with Republican values, but still does not know which side he will vote for.

I consider Donald Trump a threat to our republic, to our democracy and our free elections. But I see Kamala Harris as very bad for our economy.

He cites high inflation and expensive housing, problems he attributes to Democratic mismanagement. According to him, the Republican Party spends money better, but he does not agree with Donald Trump’s international policy, which he considers isolationist. He also criticizes the candidate’s image, which harms the reputation of the United States in the world.

I can’t vote for Republicans, I feel like they contradict my values. But the alternative is to support policies that are too far to the left of what I believe. So I can’t winhe laments.

Young people without a party

Public policy student, Chloe Decker would also have tended to vote for the Republicans, but her choice today leans towards the Democrats and Kamala Harris.

I care about the environment and also about having a good public education system. Acting in good faith, believing and supporting the facts, is very important to me.

There are 2.7 million independent voters like Evan and Chloe in North Carolina, unaffiliated voters. While the American electoral system asks each new person of voting age to specify their political allegiance, they do not identify with either Republicans or Democrats. In North Carolina, almost half of independent voters are 18 to 34 years old. I’m not surprised. A lot of young people don’t believe that one party has all the answers, says Chloe. I consider myself more center-center, interested in both progressive and conservative ideas.

A system to rethink?

Professor Pope McCorkle, who teaches public policy at Duke University, notes the growing importance of independent voters in North Carolina and more generally in the United States. A phenomenon due in large part, according to him, to the polarization of the political debate. A person can have varied opinions. She can be liberal on issues like abortion, but very conservative on financial issues. Thus, neither party really corresponds to its valueshe emphasizes.

With so many people not identifying with or even rejecting the two major parties, at some point it’s going to end up being a real problem for American democracy.

In Iredell County, north of Charlotte, real estate agent Shawn Eckles, also independent and still undecided, launched with friends a community media on the web to give a voice to all those who have things to say in his county. Using videos and podcasts, it broadcasts a variety of political opinions to help the community make an informed choice.

If more candidates had access to the ballot, we would have a better representation of Americahe judges.

He is disappointed with the electoral campaign. There are roads across the country that need repair. We have a financial system that could collapse at any moment, but all we worry about are two political parties.

Shawn isn’t giving a clue about his vote, but believes independents will likely decide the election in North Carolina. In this polarized campaign, it is they, the least partisan, who will undoubtedly have the last word.