By Jesse Wood
Nov. 6, 2012. Below are some numbers to compare the 2008 election to the 2012 election at this stage in the game. Data comes from the N.C. State Board of Elections and Civitas Vote Tracker.
2008 General Election
Registered Voters in Watauga County: 43,415
Unaffiliated: 32 percent
Republicans: 36 percent
Democrats: 32 percent
Registered Voters in N.C.: 6,226,204
Unaffiliated: 22 percent
Republicans: 32 percent
Democrats 46 percent
Votes Cast Before Election Day in NC: 2,618,419
Unaffiliated: 18 percent
Republicans: 30 percent
Democrats: 52 percent
Votes Cast Before Election Day in Watauga: 18,925
Unaffiliateds: 30.55 percent
Republicans: 32.5 percent
Democrats: 36.78 percent
Libertarians: .17 percent
2012 General Election
Registered Voters in Watauga County: 44,853
Unaffiliated: 37 percent
Republicans: 33 percent
Democrats: 29 percent
Registered Voters in N.C.: 6,621,631
Unaffiliated: 26 percent
Republicans: 31 percent
Democrats: 43 percent
Votes Cast Before Election Day in NC: 2,738,943
Unaffiliated: 20.7 percent
Republicans: 31 percent
Democrats: 48 percent
Votes Cast Before Election Day in Watauga: 16,471
Unaffiliated: 33.33 percent
Republicans: 32.69 percent
Democrats: 33.18 percent
Libertarians: .8 percent