The Lumbee Tribe’s Impact on the 2024 North Carolina Election
A Significant Voting Bloc in North Carolina
As the 2024 election approaches, one of the most influential Native American tribes east of the Mississippi River is preparing to make their voice heard: the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. This tribe, with around 55,000 members, primarily resides in Robeson County and neighboring Hoke, Scotland, and Cumberland counties in the southeastern part of the state. According to recent state election data, Robeson County boasts at least 26,000 registered voters identifying as Native American — more than any other county in North Carolina.
“There are a considerable number of voters in Robeson County who identify as Native American,” said Gwen Locklear, a prominent Lumbee community member and co-founder of the Triangle Native American Society. “They are committed to making their votes count.” The importance of this demographic cannot be overstated; they have played pivotal roles in tight electoral races over recent years.
Historical Voting Patterns Favoring Democrats
One area where this voter base has consistently shown its influence is during presidential elections. Historical data indicate that Robeson County residents have predominantly supported candidates who won statewide elections since 2008. The latest figures from October reveal that approximately 20% of registered voters from Robeson participated in early voting — slightly below North Carolina’s average turnout rate of 26%.
In recent history, Democratic registered voters outnumbered unaffiliated and Republican counterparts during early voting periods in both Robeson and Scotland counties. Notably active campaigns for both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have established bases within diverse communities like those found in Robeson County—42% identified as Native American alongside substantial Black (24%) and Latino (11%) populations.
A Changing Political Landscape
The political landscape appears to be shifting; after decades marked by robust support for Democratic candidates among Lumbee voters prior to stack shifts witnessed during the 2016 general election signal a shift toward conservative ideologies. League members cited a notable decline over ten years lacking engagement from Democratic candidates as part of this emerging trend. Both parties now openly address federal recognition for the Lumbee Nation as pivotal aspects on which they seek voter support.
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