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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