Elections

Twenty percent of NC Democrats decline to vote for Obama

Steven Nelson Associate Editor
Font Size:

Tuesday was primary day in North Carolina, and although President Barack Obama faced no competition on the Democratic ballot, he was not the choice of approximately 20 percent of Democrats who cast ballots.

With all 100 counties reporting, Obama secured 79.2 percent of the Democratic primary vote and “no preference” registered at 20.8 percent, according to preliminary results posted on the website of the North Carolina State Board of Elections. (RELATED: Federal prisoner gives Obama run for his money in W.Va.)

This outcome is a potential embarrassment to Obama in the state that will host this year’s Democratic National Convention.

The election attracted approximately one million Democratic voters, according to the preliminary results.

North Carolina’s proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage was the major attraction Tuesday, drawing unusually high voter turnout. Obama does not support same-sex marriage, but opposed the amendment — which passed with approximately 60 percent support.

Obama’s position on the issue has the potential to alienate two important wings of the state’s Democratic coalition: Socially conservative Democrats — who have traditionally elected “blue dog” Democrats to state and federal offices — and socially liberal voters who support the legalization of same-sex marriage.

Follow Steven on Twitter