The North Carolina Rules

John Edwards probably wishes that his home state voted earlier in the nominating process than May. But at least North Carolina will have a presidential primary in 2008, which it did not four years ago. the 2004 presidential primary was scrubbed when the traditional state primary was postponed from May until July because of litigation over state legislative districts. North Carolina Democrats gave Edwards a victory in a special April caucus vote, but turnout was low and it came at a time after he had withdrawn from the race.

Registered Democrats and Republicans in North Carolina can vote only in their party's primary. Independent voters (referred to as "unaffiliated" in the Tar Heel State) may participate in either party's primary. As of October 2006, there were 5,567,424 registered voters in North Carolina—2,533,424 Democrats, 1,923,047 Republicans, and 1,110,953 independents.