More extreme ideological groups like MAGA and Democratic Socialists have dominated the national headlines in recent months. But a new poll by Elon University shows most North Carolinians prefer to describe themselves in less political terms.
The poll, released late last month, asked 800 North Carolina adults how they described themselves across 30 different political, economic, cultural and lifestyle identities. They were offered labels ranging from capitalist to politically moderate to beach person, with respondents answering how much they identified with each, if at all.
About one-third of North Carolinians identify with President Donald Trump’s “make America great again” movement.
At the same time, about 30 percent of North Carolinians identify as democratic socialists, and one-fifth identify as libertarian.
By contrast, many more respondents identified more strongly with broader group identities like working class at 78 percent, anti-racist at 74 percent, and proud North Carolinian at 74 percent.
The findings indicate that political identities receiving the greatest public attention represent a smaller share of the electorate than broader groups that unite many residents, according to Jason Husser, director of the Elon University Poll.
While political polls typically ask candidates who they’re likely to support in an election, there haven’t been surveys in North Carolina about what percentage of people are part of larger social groups and political movements, Husser told NC Newsline.
“For instance, prior to this survey, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you what percent of North Carolinians were democratic socialists or considered themselves LGBTQ-rights advocates,” he said. “We know that many of these political identities end up shaping how people align with parties.”
Among the least frequently chosen affinity groups for all respondents, 32 percent said small business owner, 39 percent said they were an LGBTQ rights advocate and 41 percent said fiscally conservative.
With three months remaining before the midterm elections in November, the results could shape how candidates orient their campaigns.
Some campaigns run on appealing to the largest possible voter group, even if it means they lose support from their own party, Husser said. Others focus more on their dedicated voter base, aiming for high turnout, before turning to picking up independents.
A candidate running on the former strategy could target, for example, voters identifying as working class, since it’s a large portion of the electorate.
MAGA identity could play a pivotal role in North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race, where Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis’ retirement leaves an open seat. Trump has endorsed former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley, who trailed Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper by 11 points in a poll released by Elon last week.
Husser said winning coalitions of voters are often built by attachments that go beyond party labels alone.
“Outcomes in North Carolina elections are driven not only by whether the state has more Democrats or more Republicans, but also whether politicians can move those who identify with groups like working class, progressives or Second Amendment advocates,” he said in a statement. “We measured the scope of some of the largest politically relevant group identities in North Carolina to offer insight into why some ideas stick in the state and others struggle.”
Elon University and YouGov surveyed 800 North Carolina adults between July 23 and July 31. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.42 percentage points.
This article appears courtesy of our media ally NC Newsline via Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
This story is brought to you by Rosedale Health and Wellness and Dudley’s Place.
