Chris Cooper
@chriscooperwcu.bsky.social
Professor of Political Science & Public Affairs at Western Carolina University. American politics, state politics, North Carolina politics, southern politics, elections. Recent book: Anatomy of a Purple State (UNC Press 2024).
http://www.chriscooperwcu.com
http://www.chriscooperwcu.com
And, how about this from @tommytomlinson.bsky.social
tommytomlinson.substack.com/p/the-launch...
Makes me think about some of the magazines that meant something to me that are now gone or altered, including Dirt Rag, No Depression, The Sporting News, Velo News (yes, I have niche interests)
(4/5)
tommytomlinson.substack.com/p/the-launch...
Makes me think about some of the magazines that meant something to me that are now gone or altered, including Dirt Rag, No Depression, The Sporting News, Velo News (yes, I have niche interests)
(4/5)
November 10, 2025 at 1:37 AM
And, how about this from @tommytomlinson.bsky.social
tommytomlinson.substack.com/p/the-launch...
Makes me think about some of the magazines that meant something to me that are now gone or altered, including Dirt Rag, No Depression, The Sporting News, Velo News (yes, I have niche interests)
(4/5)
tommytomlinson.substack.com/p/the-launch...
Makes me think about some of the magazines that meant something to me that are now gone or altered, including Dirt Rag, No Depression, The Sporting News, Velo News (yes, I have niche interests)
(4/5)
November 10, 2025 at 12:49 AM
If you're curious about the context of close elections in #ncpol, see this post I wrote before the 2025 elections.
chriscooperwcu.substack.com/p/its-munici...
Skip to "The Upside: Your Vote Counts" for the discussion of closeness.
Photo credit: @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social
3/3
chriscooperwcu.substack.com/p/its-munici...
Skip to "The Upside: Your Vote Counts" for the discussion of closeness.
Photo credit: @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social
3/3
November 9, 2025 at 3:40 PM
If you're curious about the context of close elections in #ncpol, see this post I wrote before the 2025 elections.
chriscooperwcu.substack.com/p/its-munici...
Skip to "The Upside: Your Vote Counts" for the discussion of closeness.
Photo credit: @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social
3/3
chriscooperwcu.substack.com/p/its-munici...
Skip to "The Upside: Your Vote Counts" for the discussion of closeness.
Photo credit: @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social
3/3
Updated the close elections graph to include last week's 2025 elections 👀 ⬇️.
Last Tuesday, 60 #ncpol elections were decided by 5 or fewer votes, including 4 council seats in Jefferson, Brookford, Calypso & Murfresboro that (before canvass) were tied.
(🧵 1/3)
Last Tuesday, 60 #ncpol elections were decided by 5 or fewer votes, including 4 council seats in Jefferson, Brookford, Calypso & Murfresboro that (before canvass) were tied.
(🧵 1/3)
November 9, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Updated the close elections graph to include last week's 2025 elections 👀 ⬇️.
Last Tuesday, 60 #ncpol elections were decided by 5 or fewer votes, including 4 council seats in Jefferson, Brookford, Calypso & Murfresboro that (before canvass) were tied.
(🧵 1/3)
Last Tuesday, 60 #ncpol elections were decided by 5 or fewer votes, including 4 council seats in Jefferson, Brookford, Calypso & Murfresboro that (before canvass) were tied.
(🧵 1/3)
Here ⬇️, the California Republican Party is arguing the merits of diversity and the threats of racial gerrymandering for democratic norms.
Endlessly fascinating to watch political parties take on different positions in different states.
Endlessly fascinating to watch political parties take on different positions in different states.
November 8, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Here ⬇️, the California Republican Party is arguing the merits of diversity and the threats of racial gerrymandering for democratic norms.
Endlessly fascinating to watch political parties take on different positions in different states.
Endlessly fascinating to watch political parties take on different positions in different states.
Interesting item from @raleighreporter.bsky.social's weekly newsletter* about a new PAC, "NC True Conservatives", that supports Senator Berger in his primary campaign against Sam Page.
mailchi.mp/06b0806cbb66...
#ncpol
*if you're not subscribed, there's an easy (& free) fix for that.
mailchi.mp/06b0806cbb66...
#ncpol
*if you're not subscribed, there's an easy (& free) fix for that.
November 7, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Interesting item from @raleighreporter.bsky.social's weekly newsletter* about a new PAC, "NC True Conservatives", that supports Senator Berger in his primary campaign against Sam Page.
mailchi.mp/06b0806cbb66...
#ncpol
*if you're not subscribed, there's an easy (& free) fix for that.
mailchi.mp/06b0806cbb66...
#ncpol
*if you're not subscribed, there's an easy (& free) fix for that.
Sylva election day is in, too.
These are officially non-partisan elections, but the more progressive candidates won all of the open seats.
These are officially non-partisan elections, but the more progressive candidates won all of the open seats.
November 5, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Sylva election day is in, too.
These are officially non-partisan elections, but the more progressive candidates won all of the open seats.
These are officially non-partisan elections, but the more progressive candidates won all of the open seats.
The NCGA thought this wan't a great idea so they passed McDuffie's law to prevent others from attempting a similar move.
I talked about this in chapter 8 of Anatomy of a Purple State, but the footnote is the best part bc it includes a story of chicken feathers.
(4/4)
I talked about this in chapter 8 of Anatomy of a Purple State, but the footnote is the best part bc it includes a story of chicken feathers.
(4/4)
November 5, 2025 at 12:06 AM
The NCGA thought this wan't a great idea so they passed McDuffie's law to prevent others from attempting a similar move.
I talked about this in chapter 8 of Anatomy of a Purple State, but the footnote is the best part bc it includes a story of chicken feathers.
(4/4)
I talked about this in chapter 8 of Anatomy of a Purple State, but the footnote is the best part bc it includes a story of chicken feathers.
(4/4)
In 2023, 6 NC elections were tied and thus decided by a coin toss. In 2021 that number was 10 and it was 13 in 2019
In those cases, if the number of ballots cast is <5000, the board of elections breaks the tie "in a method of random selection determined by the NCSBE" (usually a coin toss).
(3/3)
In those cases, if the number of ballots cast is <5000, the board of elections breaks the tie "in a method of random selection determined by the NCSBE" (usually a coin toss).
(3/3)
November 3, 2025 at 8:15 PM
In 2023, 6 NC elections were tied and thus decided by a coin toss. In 2021 that number was 10 and it was 13 in 2019
In those cases, if the number of ballots cast is <5000, the board of elections breaks the tie "in a method of random selection determined by the NCSBE" (usually a coin toss).
(3/3)
In those cases, if the number of ballots cast is <5000, the board of elections breaks the tie "in a method of random selection determined by the NCSBE" (usually a coin toss).
(3/3)
That means turning out the 5 passengers of the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine (assuming Scooby is eligible to vote) would have decided the winner in 212 off-year elections in NC over those years
That example too strained? Go with the starting line-up for the Heels if you prefer.
(2/3)
That example too strained? Go with the starting line-up for the Heels if you prefer.
(2/3)
November 3, 2025 at 8:15 PM
That means turning out the 5 passengers of the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine (assuming Scooby is eligible to vote) would have decided the winner in 212 off-year elections in NC over those years
That example too strained? Go with the starting line-up for the Heels if you prefer.
(2/3)
That example too strained? Go with the starting line-up for the Heels if you prefer.
(2/3)
Why you should vote in municipal elections?
In 2019, 88 #ncpol elections were decided by 5 or fewer votes--67 in 2021 and 57 in 2023!
(1/3)
In 2019, 88 #ncpol elections were decided by 5 or fewer votes--67 in 2021 and 57 in 2023!
(1/3)
November 3, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Why you should vote in municipal elections?
In 2019, 88 #ncpol elections were decided by 5 or fewer votes--67 in 2021 and 57 in 2023!
(1/3)
In 2019, 88 #ncpol elections were decided by 5 or fewer votes--67 in 2021 and 57 in 2023!
(1/3)
No one: "Chris, will you please post an early voting data update so hyper-local that only 12 people (tops) will be interested?"
Me: "Absolutely."
Me: "Absolutely."
November 2, 2025 at 2:56 PM
No one: "Chris, will you please post an early voting data update so hyper-local that only 12 people (tops) will be interested?"
Me: "Absolutely."
Me: "Absolutely."
Teaching college students is fun.
October 31, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Teaching college students is fun.
Popped up to Cataloochee to catch a gander at the new lift and saw a late October snow flurry.
October 30, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Popped up to Cataloochee to catch a gander at the new lift and saw a late October snow flurry.
Excited to see ⬇️ paper (w/ @bowtiepolitics.bsky.social) out in the Journal of Election Administration Research & Practice
In it, we document the ⬆️ # of people not completing the optional items on their voter registration (registration roll-off) & the implications for our understanding of elections
In it, we document the ⬆️ # of people not completing the optional items on their voter registration (registration roll-off) & the implications for our understanding of elections
October 29, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Excited to see ⬇️ paper (w/ @bowtiepolitics.bsky.social) out in the Journal of Election Administration Research & Practice
In it, we document the ⬆️ # of people not completing the optional items on their voter registration (registration roll-off) & the implications for our understanding of elections
In it, we document the ⬆️ # of people not completing the optional items on their voter registration (registration roll-off) & the implications for our understanding of elections
Good couple of days at Auburn learning about and debating innovative and sustainable ways of funding elections.
🙏to the good people at Auburn’s election administration program and the Election Center for putting it on.
🙏to the good people at Auburn’s election administration program and the Election Center for putting it on.
October 28, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Good couple of days at Auburn learning about and debating innovative and sustainable ways of funding elections.
🙏to the good people at Auburn’s election administration program and the Election Center for putting it on.
🙏to the good people at Auburn’s election administration program and the Election Center for putting it on.
Related—the 1st legal challenge to the new maps was filed yesterday (this stuff moves fast!).
It’s a supplemental complaint to a previously filed case that challenged those districts in their previous form.
southerncoalition.org/wp-content/u...
(2/3)
It’s a supplemental complaint to a previously filed case that challenged those districts in their previous form.
southerncoalition.org/wp-content/u...
(2/3)
October 28, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Related—the 1st legal challenge to the new maps was filed yesterday (this stuff moves fast!).
It’s a supplemental complaint to a previously filed case that challenged those districts in their previous form.
southerncoalition.org/wp-content/u...
(2/3)
It’s a supplemental complaint to a previously filed case that challenged those districts in their previous form.
southerncoalition.org/wp-content/u...
(2/3)
Another candidate has now filed w/ the FEC to run in #nc11 as a Democrat--WNC native, scientist, and current Orange County registered voter Paul Maddox.
For more, see this @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social profile: smokymountainnews.com/news/item/40...
#ncpol
For more, see this @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social profile: smokymountainnews.com/news/item/40...
#ncpol
October 27, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Another candidate has now filed w/ the FEC to run in #nc11 as a Democrat--WNC native, scientist, and current Orange County registered voter Paul Maddox.
For more, see this @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social profile: smokymountainnews.com/news/item/40...
#ncpol
For more, see this @coryvaillancourt.bsky.social profile: smokymountainnews.com/news/item/40...
#ncpol
Impressive.
In Sylva we have the only mustache themed sign I’ve ever seen.
At this rate, we are just two or three entries away from a political sign bingo board for the ages.
In Sylva we have the only mustache themed sign I’ve ever seen.
At this rate, we are just two or three entries away from a political sign bingo board for the ages.
October 25, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Impressive.
In Sylva we have the only mustache themed sign I’ve ever seen.
At this rate, we are just two or three entries away from a political sign bingo board for the ages.
In Sylva we have the only mustache themed sign I’ve ever seen.
At this rate, we are just two or three entries away from a political sign bingo board for the ages.
There's been testimony that #ncpol had mid-decade redistricting that was not court-ordered in the 1960s. That is not true ⬇️
The 1966 & 1967 redraws *were* court-ordered
pgs 46 & 48 of Orr's "The Persistence of the Gerrymander in NC Congressional Redistricting." (Southeastern Geographer 1969)
The 1966 & 1967 redraws *were* court-ordered
pgs 46 & 48 of Orr's "The Persistence of the Gerrymander in NC Congressional Redistricting." (Southeastern Geographer 1969)
October 21, 2025 at 6:27 PM
There's been testimony that #ncpol had mid-decade redistricting that was not court-ordered in the 1960s. That is not true ⬇️
The 1966 & 1967 redraws *were* court-ordered
pgs 46 & 48 of Orr's "The Persistence of the Gerrymander in NC Congressional Redistricting." (Southeastern Geographer 1969)
The 1966 & 1967 redraws *were* court-ordered
pgs 46 & 48 of Orr's "The Persistence of the Gerrymander in NC Congressional Redistricting." (Southeastern Geographer 1969)
New North Carolina congressional district map has now passed the Senate on a new party-line vote.
Next stop, and last stop: the House--redistricting bills in #ncpol don't go to the Governor.
www.ncleg.gov/Legislation/...
Next stop, and last stop: the House--redistricting bills in #ncpol don't go to the Governor.
www.ncleg.gov/Legislation/...
October 21, 2025 at 2:32 PM
New North Carolina congressional district map has now passed the Senate on a new party-line vote.
Next stop, and last stop: the House--redistricting bills in #ncpol don't go to the Governor.
www.ncleg.gov/Legislation/...
Next stop, and last stop: the House--redistricting bills in #ncpol don't go to the Governor.
www.ncleg.gov/Legislation/...
Terrific talk last night by @kevintmorris.bsky.social about the history and status of the Voting Rights Act today.
His forthcoming book (w/ Michael Miller) on the same topic will be a game-changer for how we think about voting rights.
His forthcoming book (w/ Michael Miller) on the same topic will be a game-changer for how we think about voting rights.
October 21, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Terrific talk last night by @kevintmorris.bsky.social about the history and status of the Voting Rights Act today.
His forthcoming book (w/ Michael Miller) on the same topic will be a game-changer for how we think about voting rights.
His forthcoming book (w/ Michael Miller) on the same topic will be a game-changer for how we think about voting rights.