Political participation trends among North Carolina women have worsened slightly over the past five years, according to a new report commissioned by a state agency.

The latest “Status of Women” report, released fully on Tuesday by the state Department of Administration, gave North Carolina a “D” letter grade while evaluating a host of participation factors. The state received a “C-minus” in 2015.

The report, developed with help from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, finds while voter turnout among women has improved, the percentage of women registered to vote declined slightly. Women are 51% of North Carolina’s population.

Fifty-five percent of statewide elected offices were held by women in 2015, but now it’s 33%, the report says. Six of the 10 Council of State members in 2012 were women. Today, there are three women.

The percentage of state House members who are women has increased slightly since 2015.

The report’s authors recommend recruitment efforts for more women to run for office, as well as encouraging a fair electoral process and boosting education and other training for young women.

The report’s release came on the eve of the centennial of the certification of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

Related Stories
‹
Four-Term North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt, a Leader in Education Reform, Dies at 88
Former Gov. Jim Hunt, a towering figure in North Carolina politics in the late 20th century who helped leaders from both major parties strive for public education reform, died Thursday at the age of 88.
Chapel Hill Educator, Historian and UNC Statistician Freddie Kiger Inducted Into Order of Longleaf Pine
Members of the East Chapel Hill Rotary Club surprised Freddie Kiger with his induction into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine during its holiday party on Dec. 5.
North Carolina Gov. Stein Cancels Medicaid Rate Cuts Amid Legal and Legislative Battles
North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein is canceling Medicaid reimbursement rate reductions he initiated over two months ago, preserving in the short term access to care for vulnerable patients.
French Manufacturer Shares Plans to Relocate U.S. Operations to Hillsborough
Gov. Josh Stein’s office shared the French manufacturing company CITEL is planning on relocating its U.S. business to Hillsborough and will invest $12.5 million in the project.
Federal Judges Uphold Several North Carolina US House Districts Drawn by Republicans
Written by GARY D. ROBERTSON RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Federal judges on Thursday upheld several U.S. House districts that North Carolina Republicans drew in 2023 that helped the GOP gain additional seats the following year. They rejected accusations the lines unlawfully fractured and packed Black voters to weaken their voting power. The order by three judges — […]
On the Porch: Dr. Jim Crawford - October News Roundup
This Week: Born into a blue collar and agricultural clan in rural Pennsylvania, Dr. Jim Crawford was the first in his family to graduate from college. Earning his PhD from the University of North Carolina, he taught US and World History at several universities in the piedmont North Carolina for several decades. He served as chairman of the Chatham County board of commissioners. He is a firm believer in American democracy and trusts that the constitution will hold firm now as it has in past crises despite the broken, distempered electorate. 
North Carolina Adopts New Trump-Backed US House Districts Aimed at Gaining a Republican Seat
Written by GARY D. ROBERTSON RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republican legislative leaders completed their remapping of the state’s U.S. House districts on Wednesday, intent on picking up one more seat to help President Donald Trump’s efforts to retain GOP control of Congress in next year’s midterm elections. The new boundaries approved by the […]
Democrats Look to Long Term as North Carolina GOP Redistricting Plan Seeks Another Seat for Trump
Democrats rallied Tuesday against a new U.S. House map proposed by North Carolina Republicans that would likely reap another GOP seat.
North Carolina GOP’s Proposed Map Seeks to Thwart Democratic Incumbent’s Reelection
North Carolina's Republican legislators are offering a redrawn U.S. House district map to help the GOP retain control of Congress.
North Carolina Court: GOP Can Narrow Governor’s Appointment Powers on Some Boards
Written by GARY D. ROBERTSON RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Decade-long political quarrels over legislative and executive powers in North Carolina advanced Wednesday as a state appeals court permitted the Republican-controlled General Assembly to chip away at the Democratic governor’s appointment authority for several key commissions. The judges also said lawmakers went too far remaking other boards. A […]
›