According to the October Carolina Journal Poll (formerly Civitas Poll), Mo Green’s lead over Michele Morrow for State Superintendent of Public Instruction has narrowed to 2.5 percentage points. In September, Green led Morrow by 4.1 percentage points.
Regarding to the numbers, 43.2 percent of voters chose Morrow, while 45.7 percent chose Green. A little over 11 percent of voters are still undecided. The poll of 600 likely voters was conducted Oct. 12–14, 2024, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.99 percent.
Both candidates have strong support from the base of their parties. Morrow claims the support of 85 percent of registered Republicans, while Green has the support of 88 percent of registered Democrats. Independents or unaffiliated voters now comprise the largest voter bloc in North Carolina. However, Morrow and Green have essentially split the Independent/unaffiliated vote at 43 and 44 percent, respectively.
The tight race between two very different candidates reflects the deep divisions within the state’s electorate about what ails our public schools and what should be done to remedy the problems.
Michele Morrow is a former nurse, homeschooling parent, and teacher in a private school. She supports public schools but believes schools need a greater focus on academics and using money more efficiently. Morrow’s opponent, Mo Green, touts his record of service and support in public schools as a strength and says funding and teacher pay are our schools’ greatest challenges. Of late, both candidates have become more pointed in their criticism of the other. According to the numbers, however, neither candidate has delivered a knockout blow.
Early voting continues through Nov. 2. Election day is Nov. 5.
