North Carolina’s Black electorate voted for community over chaos
Black voters across the state sent a clear message that they would not tolerate politics of division and policies that undermine our families, our freedoms and our futures. Despite the disappointing loss in the presidential race, Black voters showed up and chose community over chaos, leading to Black state legislative candidates winning historic representation, breaking the GOP supermajority and restoring veto power for Governor-elect Josh Stein. And for the first time, North Carolina has a Black state superintendent of public instruction.
Building on our successful regional organizing efforts, Advance Carolina expanded infrastructure investments across urban and rural communities. Since June 2024, our teams prioritized direct voter contacts in 21 counties, including Wake, Mecklenburg, Guilford, Pasquotank and Cumberland. Heading into Election Day, the organization had knocked on 271,491 doors throughout North Carolina, ranking sixth among all organizations doing voter outreach. Working alongside other progressive organizations, Advance Carolina independently reached over 4.7 million voters, demonstrating both efficiency and effectiveness. The expanded community presence and other diverse activations offered education about changes to the election process.
“The results of the 2024 elections are reminders that Black voters should never be taken for granted because their political participation continues to be the resounding voice of reason in our country,” said Marcus Bass, executive director of Advance Carolina. “We know that defending our freedoms and moving policies closer to the people requires blocking divisive rhetoric and extremist policies and the candidates who push them.
“It would be irresponsible not to mention the enduring underinvestment in the sustained organizing and mobilization of Black voters, a core base constituency for transformative candidates and policies cannot be overcome in one cycle. We expand our coalition by organizing everywhere and investing in potential voters dismissed as being apathetic or disengaged.
“Elections are an inflection point, not the end. This election also serves as a reminder that data points without context cannot replace the deep knowledge and lessons of our communities. We will continue to work with our partners across the state and maintain the sustained engagement necessary to bring impactful policies closer to the people.”