Donald Trump has won the critical swing state of North Carolina and the sixteen Electoral College votes at a crucial moment in the election.
The Tar Heel State was a key target of both campaigns and was the scene of frenzied campaigning in the final days of the race.
Democrats have not claimed victory in North Carolina since Barack Obama in 2008.
Trump won in the last two elections and the victory is a big boost for the Republican candidate.
More than 4.2 million North Carolinians voted early before Election Day, breaking 2020’s record turnout.
Donald Trump has won the critical swing state of North Carolina and its sixteen electoral votes at a crucial moment in the election
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A woman votes during the 2024 U.S. presidential election on Election Day in Arden, North Carolina
In some western counties hit by Hurricane Helene, turnout was even higher than the rest of the state as election officials ensured victims could cast their ballots.
Exit polls showed that 43 percent of North Carolina voters had a favorable view of Trump, up from 47 percent in the 2020 election.
It showed that 55 percent rated him unfavorably, compared to 51 percent in 2020.
The poll also found that 48 percent of voters in the state had a positive view of Harris, compared to 50 percent who said the same about Joe Biden in the 2020 exit poll.
It showed that 50 percent viewed her unfavorably, compared to 47 percent who viewed Biden this way in 2020.
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An election worker displays ‘I Voted’ stickers during the 2024 United States presidential election on Election Day in Arden, North Carolina
The poll found that 36 percent of North Carolina voters said the economy mattered most when deciding how to vote in the presidential election.
And 12 percent said immigration, 13 percent abortion, 32 percent the state of democracy and 4 percent foreign policy.
Across the state, 47 percent of voters said their family’s financial situation was worse than it was four years ago.
Among North Carolina voters, 73 percent said they think democracy in the U.S. is under threat.
Voting signs direct people to Biltmore Forest City Hall on November 5, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina
Democratic presidential candidate US Vice President Kamala Harris reacts while on the phone at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters during the 2024 US presidential election on Election Day in Washington
Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump, accompanied by former US first lady Melania Trump, speaks to reporters after voting at the Mandel Recreation Center on Election Day in Palm Beach, Florida
The number of voters with a university degree increased.
And 52 percent of voters were women, up from 56 percent in 2020.
The exit poll showed that 69 percent of North Carolina voters were white, up four points from 2020.
The percentage of white men increased by five points.