Anxiety grips North Carolina readers ahead of election
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Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
Anxiety is the dominant mood among more than 530 Axios readers in North Carolina who responded to a survey about the upcoming election.
Why it matters: Election-related anxiety can extend beyond the ballot box and affect people's work and personal lives.
The big picture: Just over 50% of respondents to this week's survey say they feel anxious, worried, nervous or scared.
- About 42% describe themselves as being hopeful, excited or optimistic.
- 😱 Some are both, including Tracey A. in Charlotte, who describes her mood in all caps: "NERVICITED."
What they're saying: The survey asked voters to describe how they're feeling.
- 📉 "Worried. I am hoping people do not stay at home because of poll numbers," says Barbara K. in Raleigh.
- 😟 "Optimistic mixed with a feeling of overwhelming dread. Honestly just feels like even if things go well it's only a matter of time before they go to shit again," writes Wiley M. in Raleigh.
- 🇺🇸 "Patriotic. It's everyone's duty to make your voice heard no matter the party," Jim S. in Charlotte says.
- 😨 "Want to be excited, but nervous," says Kevin C. in Chapel Hill.
- 🗳️ "Why be nervous? Voting is just your patriotic duty to provide your opinion on the candidates. The world will be fine with whatever the result," Emily W. in Charlotte says.
- 🤞 "I'm hopeful that the results may actually steer our country in a different direction," says Aurelio P. from Fuquay-Varina.
- 🤨 "Mildly skeptical about anything changing," writes S.E. in Rocky Mount.
- 🏛️ "Cautiously optimistic. I'm thinking Roy Cooper will win. I'm hoping he has long coat tails," says Lori S. in Denver, N.C.
- 😬 "I'm worried that Cooper will take it hard to the left," writes Robin B. in Lincoln County.
- 😔 "Depressed and anxious. This country seems broken beyond fixing at this point," Heidi R. says from Charlotte.
Zoom in: Anxious respondents cited two main uncertainties: whether polls predicting a blue wave are accurate and whether election results will be honored.
- 🫣 Sue P. from Wake Forest says she is "absolutely terrified and catatonically anxious…. Things are about to get historically scary no matter the outcome."
Between the lines: Others say they're sick of campaigning.
- 📭 "I get six mailers a day. I hope they all lose," says Matt P. in Concord.
- 💸 "So much spent to elect officials. So much need elsewhere," says Allen. S. from Matthews.
- 📺 "Tired of the negative ads! Why do we have to keep choosing between such garbage candidates?" Rick J. in Raleigh says.
- 🤷♀️ "First time that I have NOT voted for any person, why? Nothing is better with either side, actually they are 1 party. I voted for the amendments!" writes Virginia W. in Holly Springs.
- 🤥 "Exhausted with all the untruths," says Tim H. in Pineville.
The fine print: 535 readers responded to the survey, which was shared with Axios readers in Raleigh and Charlotte.
- 90% say they're doing in-person early voting.
What's next: Early voting ends Saturday at 3pm.
- On Election Day, polls are open from 6:30am to 7:30pm.