Written by Mike Cockrell   

On the 12th consecutive week of protests I decided to try and find out just how diverse Moral Monday particpants are.  Having been to the protests in previous weeks, I already knew I would find people from various backgrounds, with every race, age group, and social class represented, but I wanted to know how would all this diversity I've found in previous weeks translate at the polls?  The one thing anyone can pick up on within seconds of arriving is these people vote, but I couldn't help but wonder, how predictably?  With minimal resistance I was able to question doctors, lawyers, teachers, students, preachers, rabbis, humanists, occupiers, civil rights marchers, and even a former tea-partier. I surveyed around 3% of the total crowd representing 15 different counties (45% from Wake), and asked them 5 simple yes or no questions.

Do you vote?

Have you ever voted for a Republican?  

Did you vote for any Republican candidate in the last election?

Would you consider voting for a Republican candidate in the next election?

Would you consider voting for a third-party candidate in the next election?

While the first three were strictly yes and no, a third option was added for the last 2 questions for those stuck on maybe, and others who were simply unsure.  As the afternoon passed I noticed the answers weren't coming in as I had originally anticipated.  While the first two questions seemed to fall in line with my predictions, the last three couldn't have shocked me more.  The more numbers I crunched, the more I was amazed at how they turned out:

43.4% of participants had at some point voted Republican, 56.6% had not.  Of those who had, 43.5% voted for a Republican in the last elections, but only 8.7% answered yes for the next elections, with 52.2% unsure, and 39.1% closing the door on the party they've previously voted for.  As for those never having voted Republican, 10% are still keeping the possibility open next time around, with 53.3% unsure, and 36.7% remaining uninterested. While a total of 52.8% of all participants remained unsure if they would consider Republican candidates in the next election, that trend failed to carry over for third party candidates. An overwhelming 81.1% of those surveyed answered yes (most rather eagerly) when asked about third party consideration, with that number jumping to an 87% affirmation from those who had voted Republican in the past. Both percentages for the no and unsure categories were between 4 and 5 times lower for third party candidates when compared to their Republican counterparts.  

The real surprise comes after comparing respondents' answers to the last two questions. By looking at those who answered straight no to both Republican and third party consideration, we can calculate those who plan on voting straight Democrat next time around, which is a shockingly low 5.7%, even lower than those still willing to consider Republican candidates.  In fact, for every Moral Monday protester determined to punch a straight blue ticket next time they vote, there are over 14 who are ready for a third option to consider.

The political monopoly that is the two party system has run its toll on this state as both Democrats and Republicans have consistently struggled figuring out how to prioritize the needs of their constituents amongst fund raising, marketing, campaigning for the next election, and so on.  As frustrations grow with NC legislation it is becoming clear to the people of this state that the lesser of two evils isn't a choice, but more of a political threat to progress. For months now, thousands have flocked to the capital every Monday to stand up against what many of them see as oppressive Republican legislation, and quite possibly without realizing it, they are making an even bigger stand against the two party system in general.