North Carolina 2004 General Election

The Green Papers: North Carolina 2004 General Election

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North Carolina
Elections for Statewide offices and Congress
Primary & CD1 Special Election: Tuesday 20 July 2004
Second Primary (CD 5-Rep, CD 10-Rep, Public Instruction-Dem): Tuesday 17 August 2004
General Election: Tuesday 2 November 2004

Electoral Votes:	15	(2.79% of 538)
Governor:	1
Senators:	2	(Electoral Classes 2 and 3)
2002-2010 Representatives:	13	(2.99% of 435)
2000 Census:	8,067,673	(2.86% of 281,998,273)
Estimated Voting age population (November 2000):	5,797,000
Registered Voters (November 2000):	5,122,123
Capital:	Raleigh
Tuesday 20 July 2004 polls close 7:30p EDT (2330 UTC) / 8:30p EDT (0030 UTC). NORTH CAROLINA allows its County Boards of Elections to decide whether to keep polls open until 8:30 p.m. EDT but, outside of metropolitan areas, this local option is not often utilized and so 7:30 p.m. EDT is the networks' earliest time of projection beacuse the vast majority of that state's polls will have closed by that hour.
Tuesday 17 August 2004 polls close 7:30p EDT (2330 UTC) / 8:30p EDT (0030 UTC). NORTH CAROLINA allows its County Boards of Elections to decide whether to keep polls open until 8:30 p.m. EDT but, outside of metropolitan areas, this local option is not often utilized and so 7:30 p.m. EDT is the networks' earliest time of projection beacuse the vast majority of that state's polls will have closed by that hour.
Tuesday 2 November 2004 polls close 7:30p EST (0030 UTC) / 8:30p EST (0130 UTC). NORTH CAROLINA allows its County Boards of Elections to decide whether to keep polls open until 8:30 p.m. EST but, outside of metropolitan areas, this local option is not often utilized and so 7:30 p.m. EST is the networks' earliest time of projection beacuse the vast majority of that state's polls will have closed by that hour.

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North Carolina State and Local Government

North Carolina 2004 Presidential Primaries, Caucuses, and Conventions: Democrats Republicans Third Parties

The State Board of Elections met on 9 February 2004 and unanimously voted to postpone the Primary election from 4 May to 20 July 2004 and the Second Primary from 1 June to 17 August 2004. The candidate filing period is now 26 April to 7 May 2004.

If no candidate receives 40% of the vote in the 20 July Primary, the two leading candidates will proceed to a Tuesday 17 August 2004 run off.



President 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2000, 2004. Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime. Electors: 15 (Winner-take-all), How Appointed, Meeting Place, Duly Appointed Presidential Electors. List of States: Details.

		Republican	1,961,166	56.02%	President George W. Bush (15 Electoral Votes) • Vice President: Vice President Richard "Dick" Cheney Renominated by Convention - 2 September 2004
		Democrat	1,525,849	43.58%	Senator John Kerry • Vice President: Senator John Edwards
		Libertarian	11,731	0.34%	Michael Badnarik • Vice President: Richard Campagna
		Write-In	1,805	0.05%	Ralph Nader • Vice President: Peter Camejo
		Write-In	348	0.01%	Walter F. Brown • Vice President: Mary Alice Herbert Socialist
		Write-In	108	0.00%	David Keith Cobb • Vice President: Patricia Helen "Pat" LaMarche Green
Total			3,501,007	100.00%

U.S. Senate 6 year term. No Term Limit. 108^th Senate Senate Electoral Classes

Class 2		Republican			Senator Elizabeth H. Dole • First elected: 2002 • Seat up for election: Tuesday 4 November 2008

Class 3		Democrat			Senator John Edwards • First elected: 1998 • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Open Seat - Sunday 7 September 2003: Senator Edwards, a contender for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination, announced that he will not seek re-election to the Senate in 2004. Tuesday 6 July 2004: Senator Edwards was named by presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts to be his running mate.
			Open Seat (no incumbent)
		Republican	1,791,450	51.60%	Congressman Richard M. Burr • Congressman Burr currently represents NC's CD 5
		Democrat	1,632,527	47.02%	Erskine Bowles
		Libertarian	47,743	1.38%	Tom Bailey
		Write-In	362	0.01%	Walker F. Rucker
Total			3,472,082	100.00%

Governor 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2000, 2004. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms, All Governors

		Democrat			Governor Mike Easley • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2004 • First elected: 2000; re-elected: 2004. • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit. • Renominated - 20 July 2004 - Primary
		Democrat	1,939,154	55.62%	Governor Mike Easley
		Republican	1,495,021	42.88%	Patrick J. Ballantine • No candidate received 40% of the vote in the 20 July Republican Primary for Governor. Normally, the two leading candidates would compete in a Tuesday 17 August 2004 runoff. However, on 22 July Richard Vinroot, who came in second place, withdrew from the race giving the nomination to first place winner Patrick J. Ballatine. Results of the 20 July Primary: Patrick J. Ballantine (30.40%); Richard Vinroot (29.95%); Bill Cobey (27%); Commissioner Dan Barrett (5%); State Senator Fern H. Shubert (4%); George W. Little (4%)
		Libertarian	52,513	1.51%	Barbara Howe
Total			3,486,688	100.00%

Lieutenant Governor 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2000, 2004

		Democrat			Lieutenant Governor Beverly Eaves Perdue • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2004 • First elected: 2000 • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Renominated - 20 July 2004 - Primary
		Democrat	1,888,397	55.57%	Lieutenant Governor Beverly Eaves Perdue
		Republican	1,453,705	42.78%	Jim Snyder
		Libertarian	56,368	1.66%	Christopher Cole
Total			3,398,470	100.00%

108^th U.S. House of Representatives 2 year term, Election Cycle 2004, 2006. No Term Limit. 108^th House
Partisan Composition (primary disposition): 6 Democrats (6 Renominated); 7 Republicans (5 Renominated, 2 Open)

CD 1		Democrat			Congressman G. K. Butterfield • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2004 • First elected in Special Election, 20 July 2004, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Congressman Frank W. Ballance, Jr.- effective 11 June 2004. • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Renominated - 20 July 2004 - Primary
		Democrat	137,667	63.98%	Congressman G. K. Butterfield • nominated for full term in 109th Congress (3 Jan 2005 to 3 Jan 2007)
		Republican	77,508	36.02%	Greg Dority • nominated for full term in 109th Congress (3 Jan 2005 to 3 Jan 2007)
Total			215,175	100.00%
	Congressman Frank W. Ballance, Jr. who was first elected in 2002, submitted his resignation from Congress on Tuesday 8 June 2004, saying myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disorder which causes muscle weakness, has affected his ability to carry out his duties. His resignation is effective at 11:59 p.m. on 11 June 2004. Governor Mark Easley called a special election for 20 July 2004, the date of the state's primary, to fill this vacant seat. The winner of this special election, Democrat G.K. Butterfield, will serve out former Congressman Ballance's term, which expires in January 2005. Results of 20 July 2004 Special Election: G.K. Butterfield (Democrat - 70%) - WINNER, Greg Dority (Republican - 28%), Tom Eisenmenger (Libertarian - 2%).

CD 2		Democrat			Congressman Bob Etheridge • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2004 • First elected: 1996 • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Renominated - 20 July 2004 Primary
		Democrat	145,079	62.30%	Congressman Bob Etheridge
		Republican	87,811	37.70%	Billy J. Creech
Total			232,890	100.00%

CD 3		Republican			Congressman Walter B. Jones, Jr. • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2004 • First elected: 1994 • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Renominated - 20 July 2004 Primary
		Republican	171,863	70.70%	Congressman Walter B. Jones, Jr.
		Democrat	71,227	29.30%	Roger A. Eaton
Total			243,090	100.00%

CD 4		Democrat			Congressman David Price • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Returned to House: 1996 [previously served in House] • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Renominated - 20 July 2004 Primary
		Democrat	217,441	64.10%	Congressman David Price
		Republican	121,717	35.88%	Todd A. Batchelor
		Write-In	76	0.02%	Maximilian Longley • Mr. Longley is officially endorsed as the Libertarian candidate by the LPNC Executive Committee
Total			339,234	100.00%

CD 5		Republican			Congressman Richard M. Burr • First elected: 1994 • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Open Seat - Candidate for Class 3 Senate seat in 2004.
			Open Seat (no incumbent)
		Republican	167,546	58.83%	Virginia Foxx • Since no candidate received 40% of the vote in the 20 July Primary, the two leading candidates participated in a Tuesday 17 August 2004 runoff. The runoff was won by Virginia Foxx. Results of the 20 July Primary: Councilman Vernon L. Robinson (24%) vs. Virginia Foxx (22%). Primary candidates not proceeding to the runoff: Ed Broyhill (22%); State Senator Jay Helvey (15%); Nathan Tabor (13%); Joseph H. "Joe" (2%); Byrd; Edward L. "Ed" Powell (2%); David Stephen Vanhoy (1%)
		Democrat	117,271	41.17%	Jim A. Harrell, Jr.
Total			284,817	100.00%

CD 6		Republican			Congressman Howard Coble • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Renominated - 20 July 2004 Primary
		Republican	207,470	73.15%	Congressman Howard Coble
		Democrat	76,153	26.85%	William W. Jordan
Total			283,623	100.00%

CD 7		Democrat			Congressman Mike McIntyre • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2004 • First elected: 1996 • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Renominated - 20 July 2004 Primary
		Democrat	180,382	73.19%	Congressman Mike McIntyre
		Republican	66,084	26.81%	Ken Plonk
Total			246,466	100.00%

CD 8		Republican			Congressman Robert C. "Robin" Hayes • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2004 • First elected: 1998 • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Renominated - 20 July 2004 Primary
		Republican	125,070	55.54%	Congressman Robert C. "Robin" Hayes
		Democrat	100,101	44.46%	Beth Troutman
Total			225,171	100.00%

CD 9		Republican			Congressman Sue Myrick • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2004 • First elected: 1994 • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Renominated - 20 July 2004 Primary
		Republican	210,783	70.24%	Congressman Sue Myrick
		Democrat	89,318	29.76%	Jack Flynn
Total			300,101	100.00%

CD 10		Republican			Congressman T. Cass Ballenger • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Open Seat - Announced retirement 2 December 2003.
			Open Seat (no incumbent)
		Republican	157,884	64.15%	Patrick T. McHenry • Since no candidate received 40% of the vote in the 20 July Primary, the two leading candidates participated in a Tuesday 17 August 2004 runoff. The results of the 17 August runoff reflecting the recount: Patrick McHenry (15,015 votes), David Huffman (14,930 votes). The results of the 20 July Primary (from the North Carolina State Board of Elections): David Huffman (35%) vs. Patrick McHenry (26%). Primary candidates not proceeding to the runoff: Sandy Lyons (20%); George A. Moretz (19%)
		Democrat	88,233	35.85%	Anne N. Fischer
Total			246,117	100.00%

CD 11		Republican			Congressman Charles H. Taylor • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Renominated - 20 July 2004 Primary
		Republican	159,709	54.90%	Congressman Charles H. Taylor
		Democrat	131,188	45.10%	Patsy Keever
Total			290,897	100.00%

CD 12		Democrat			Congressman Mel Watt • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Renominated - 20 July 2004 Primary
		Democrat	154,908	66.83%	Congressman Mel Watt
		Republican	76,898	33.17%	Ada M. Fisher
Total			231,806	100.00%

CD 13		Democrat			Congressman Brad Miller • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2004 • First elected: 2002 • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Renominated - 20 July 2004 Primary
		Democrat	160,896	58.79%	Congressman Brad Miller
		Republican	112,788	41.21%	Virginia Johnson
Total			273,684	100.00%

Secretary of State 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2000, 2004

		Democrat			Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2004 • First elected: 1996; re-elected: 2000 • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Renominated - 20 July 2004 Primary
		Democrat	1,911,585	57.32%	Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall
		Republican	1,423,109	42.68%	Jay Rao
Total			3,334,694	100.00%

Attorney General 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2000, 2004

		Democrat			Attorney General Roy Cooper • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2004 • First elected: 2000 • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Renominated - 20 July 2004 Primary
		Democrat	1,872,097	55.61%	Attorney General Roy Cooper
		Republican	1,494,121	44.39%	Joe Knott
Total			3,366,218	100.00%

Treasurer 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2000, 2004

		Democrat			Treasurer Richard Hancock Moore • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2004 • First elected: 2000 • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Renominated - 20 July 2004 Primary
		Democrat	1,812,201	54.51%	Treasurer Richard Hancock Moore
		Republican	1,512,619	45.49%	Edward A. Meyer
Total			3,324,820	100.00%

Auditor 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2000, 2004

		Democrat			Auditor Ralph Campbell, Jr. • First elected: 1992; re-elected: 1996, 2000 • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Renominated - 20 July 2004 Primary
		Republican	1,662,354	50.44%	Leslie "Les" Merritt
		Democrat	1,633,639	49.56%	Auditor Ralph Campbell, Jr.
Total			3,295,993	100.00%

Commissioner of Agriculture 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2000, 2004

		Democrat			Agriculture Commissioner Britt Cobb • Appointed June 2003 by Governor Mike Easley as interim agriculture commissioner to fill the seat formerly held by Agriculture Commissioner Meg Scott Phipps (first elected: 2000). Appointed December 2003 to serve as commissioner for the remainder of the term that expires in January 2005. • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Renominated - 20 July 2004 Primary
		Republican	1,666,197	50.03%	Steve Troxler
		Democrat	1,663,910	49.97%	Agriculture Commissioner Britt Cobb
Total			3,330,107	100.00%
	2 November 2004 Results Contested Protests filed because an electronic voting system failed to record 4,438 votes in Carteret County. Republican Steve Troxler leads Democrat Britt Cobb by 2,287 votes. History-- December 2004: The State Board of Elections decided that voters in Carteret County whose ballots were lost due to a machine malfunction, as well as registered voters in the county who didn't vote in the general election voters should cast new ballots on 11 January. Both agriculture commissioner candidates opposed the 11 January election. 18 December 2004: Visiting Superior Court Judge Henry W. Hight Jr. determined that the election board's re-vote in Carteret County was illegal. 29 December 2004: The Elections board decides to hold a new statewide election. As of 31 December 2004, the election remains contested. Link to 2005 events.

Commissioner of Insurance 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2000, 2004

		Democrat			Insurance Commissioner Jim Long • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2004 • First elected: 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996; re-elected: 2000 • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Renominated - 20 July 2004 Primary
		Democrat	1,934,076	57.64%	Insurance Commissioner Jim Long
		Republican	1,421,398	42.36%	C. Robert Brawley
Total			3,355,474	100.00%

Commissioner of Labor 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2000, 2004

		Republican			Labor Commissioner Cherie Killian Berry • Re-elected Tuesday 2 November 2004 • First elected: 2000 • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Renominated - 20 July 2004 Primary
		Republican	1,723,004	52.09%	Labor Commissioner Cherie Killian Berry
		Democrat	1,584,488	47.91%	Wayne Goodwin
Total			3,307,492	100.00%

Superintendent of Public Instruction 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2000, 2004

		Democrat			Public Instruction Superintendent Mike Ward • First elected: 1996; re-elected: 2000 • Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • Open Seat
		Democrat	1,655,719	50.13%	June S. Atkinson • Since no candidate received 40% of the vote in the 20 July Primary, the two leading candidates participated in a Tuesday 17 August 2004 run off. June S. Atkinson won the runoff. 20 July 2004 Primary results: Marshall Stewart (35%) vs. June S. Atkinson (34%). Primary candidate not proceeding to the runoff: J. B. Buxton (30%)
		Republican	1,647,184	49.87%	Bill Fletcher
Total			3,302,903	100.00%
	November 2004 Results Contested Democrat June Atkinson leads Republican Bill Fletcher by 8,535 votes. The State Board of Elections convened in public session on Tuesday 30 November and unanimously certified Democrat June Atkinson as the winner. Republican Bill Fletcher appealed. On 18 December 2004 Visiting Superior Court Judge Henry W. Hight Jr. denied Mr. Fletcher's request to order the elections board to disregard 11,310 provisional ballots cast by voters who went to the wrong precincts. Following this, Mr. Fletcher obtained a court order barring the inauguration of June Atkinson. As of 31 December 2004, the election remains contested. Link to 2005 events.