Category: Columbus County

Bladen County, Columbus County, Elections, Robeson County, Scotland County

Rural southeastern NC gets more red, even as Democrats win key state races

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Democrat Josh Stein trounced Mark Robinson in the North Carolina governor’s race, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at unofficial results in rural southeastern North Carolina.  Voters in Bladen, Columbus and Robeson counties picked Robinson, the Republican candidate whose campaign took a huge hit in September when CNN reported that he called himself a “Black Nazi” and made other disturbing …Read more Continue reading Rural southeastern NC gets more red, even as Democrats win key state races

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Bladen County, Columbus County, Elections, Politics / Government, Robeson County, Scotland County

Incumbents in NC’s Border Belt keep seats in NC General Assembly 

By Sarah Nagem sarahnagem@borderbelt.org Voters in Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties elected their representatives in the North Carolina General Assembly to new terms. Every state legislature incumbent in the four-county region who was up for re-election won on Tuesday, according to unofficial results from the state Board of Elections.  To keep up with more election news, sign up for our free newsletter. None of the …Read more Continue reading Incumbents in NC’s Border Belt keep seats in NC General Assembly 

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Bladen County, Columbus County, Elections, Robeson County, Scotland County

Rural southeastern NC, already known for low voter turnout, sees further drop

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Voter turnout in rural southeastern North Carolina was lower this year than it was in the 2020 general election, unofficial results show.  All of the Border Belt counties — Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland — saw fewer voters than in 2020 and lagged behind the statewide turnout rate of 73%, according to unofficial vote counts from the North Carolina State Board …Read more Continue reading Rural southeastern NC, already known for low voter turnout, sees further drop

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Bladen County, Columbus County, Elections, Politics / Government, Robeson County, Scotland County

2024 election results in North Carolina

From Border Belt staff Below are the election results in North Carolina, including the races for president, governor and other statewide seats as published by the Associated Press. Included are races that are relevant in Bladen, Columbus Robeson, and Scotland counties, including the 7th and 8th congressional districts and several races for the state General Assembly. Not included are local races for school boards and …Read more Continue reading 2024 election results in North Carolina

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Bladen County, Columbus County, Elections, Politics / Government, Robeson County, Scotland County

Where the candidates stand on key issues in NC’s 7th and 8th congressional districts

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Republican David Rouzer, who has represented North Carolina’s 7th Congressional district since 2014, is running for another term in office.  Rouzer is a staunch conservative who has criticized President Joe Biden’s policies and expressed doubts about the fairness of the 2020 election. His challenger, Marlando Pridgen, a Whiteville Democrat, is a political newcomer whose campaign focuses on environmental justice and bringing …Read more Continue reading Where the candidates stand on key issues in NC’s 7th and 8th congressional districts

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Columbus County, Politics / Government, Robeson County, Scotland County

Why some Black men are hesitant to vote for Harris, according to rural NC activists

By Sarah Nagem sarahnagem@borderbelt.org Marlando Pridgen, who is running for North Carolina’s 7th Congressional district, has a theory about why fewer Black voters are casting early ballots and missing out on the opportunity to support presidential candidate Kamala Harris ahead of Election Day. “In the churches,” he said, “there is this mindset of women not having a meaningful place in leadership.”  About 44,500 fewer Black …Read more Continue reading Why some Black men are hesitant to vote for Harris, according to rural NC activists

Sarah NagemSarah Nagem
Bladen County, Columbus County, Politics / Government, Robeson County, Scotland County

Election officials step up security in rural southeastern North Carolina

By Sarah Nagem sarahnagem@borderbelt.org Wanda Monroe, the elections director in Bladen County, wasn’t expecting any security threats at the polls this year. But she wanted to be proactive.  “We did have a meeting with all the law enforcement agencies in our county and emergency management teams to discuss safety issues that could arise,” Monroe said. Chief judges responsible for the county’s voting precincts underwent “extensive …Read more Continue reading Election officials step up security in rural southeastern North Carolina

Sarah NagemSarah Nagem
Bladen County, Columbus County, Elections, Politics / Government, Robeson County, Scotland County

Early voting turnout in NC’s Border Belt lags behind statewide surge

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  North Carolina has seen record highs for in-person early voter turnout so far this election, but most of the Border Belt counties are lagging behind the rest of the state.   Columbus and Scotland counties both had a turnout rate of about 12% as of Sunday, after three days of early in-person voting, according to the state Board of Elections. Robeson County …Read more Continue reading Early voting turnout in NC’s Border Belt lags behind statewide surge

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Columbus County, Politics / Government

Political signs target Whiteville Democrats. They say it’s voter intimidation 

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  A Whiteville woman was surprised when she went to her mailbox on Thursday and noticed a yard sign planted across the street from her home. “ILLEGALS WELCOME,” it read in large blue lettering, with an arrow pointed at her front door. The woman, Laura — the Border Belt Independent is identifying her by her first name only to protect her privacy — …Read more Continue reading Political signs target Whiteville Democrats. They say it’s voter intimidation 

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Columbus County, Politics / Government

Columbus County Voter Guide 2024

By Sarah Nagem and Ben Rappaport Columbus County voters will cast ballots in federal, state and local races this fall.  Early voting begins Oct. 17 and ends Nov. 2. See locations and times here.  Election Day is Nov. 5, when polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Find your polling place and see a sample ballot here.  At the top of the …Read more Continue reading Columbus County Voter Guide 2024

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