National pollster says ‘message discipline’ to benefit NC Democrats in 2026 midterms

Months of campaigning and endless political commercials draw to a close Tuesday as voters cast their final ballots in the 2026 midterm elections.

Thirty-six percent of North Carolina’s registered voters cast ballots before Election Day. New records were also set during the early voting period with more than 2.7 million people voting in person by October 31st, the final day for early voting.

As NC Newline reported on Monday, unaffiliated voters outnumbered registered Democrats and registered Republicans during the last four days of early voting.

The U.S. Senate race featuring Democrat Roy Cooper and Republican Michael Whatley is drawing the greatest attention, and that is likely to influence the outcome of a number of down ballot contests.

On the eve of Election Day, NC Newsline sat down with Tom Jensen, director of Raleigh-based Public Policy Polling, to discuss the mood of voters, the impact of mid-decade redistricting by Republicans, and how key races are leaning.

Click here for the full interview with Tom Jensen, director of Public Policy Polling.