The Republican Party’s national convention being based in North Carolina gives away the importance of the state to Donald Trump ahead of the November 3 elections. Though it went to the Republicans four years ago, both them and the Democrats accept that it is “now too close to call”, according to an AFP report. 

With Trump visiting North Carolina several times ahead of the elections both before and after his hospitalisation, his tenure at the White House largely depends on winning its 15 electoral votes. To Joe Biden too, the state remains a priority, as the democratic challenger has made multiple trips there since February amid a campaign, which went majorly online due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Why North Carolina stands important

North Carolina has remained a gateway to the White House with its 15 electoral votes for decades, and is known for being neither red nor blue now. Rather, the status has changed to purple, with a more Republican-friendly rural population. However, in the more urban areas, dynamics have changed 

North Carolina has remained a gateway to the White House with its 15 electoral votes for decades, and is known for being neither red nor blue now. Rather, the status has changed to purple, with a more Republican-friendly rural population, which covers vast areas of the state. However, in the more urban areas, dynamics have changed with population influx and more left-leaning voters moving into the state. 

The concentrated population in the urban areas as opposed to the sparse population of the rural areas holds the crux of winning North Carolina, and both Trump and Biden seem to acknowledge that.

The state’s role in making Barack Obama win the 2008 election was important, though he had won by a marginal number in North Carolina. It was the first time since 1976 that a Democrat could use the state to make way to the Oval Office.

While Republicans gained their territory back over the next eight years — in 2012 and 2016 — the shift towards a democratic government persisted, keeping North Carolina a battleground state for both the parties.

The status now

According to an AFP report, which quotes RealCLearPolitics, Joe Biden leads the polls in North Carolina by 2.7% points. However, according to political experts, it is yet unclear as to who is finally going to win the state.