A new Meredith College poll shows North Carolinians strongly favor alternatives to the two-party system.
The survey found political polarization remains high in the Tar Heel State. But there were some things that people on both sides could agree on. One of them: more choices on the ballot beyond Democrats and Republicans.
A majority of respondents said a third-party alternative would be good for the state. Democrats and Republicans agreed it would improve how the needs of the people would be reflected in governing. That result held up against all demographic groups.
The results come as change is already happening. In March, the state added the Green Party as a recognized affiliation, joining the established Democratic, Republican and Libertarian parties. And officials in the Constitution Party say they're closing in on the signatures required to be recognized.
The Meredith poll also found North Carolinians to be generally pessimistic about the future of the country, with about 60 percent saying they're dissatisfied with the way things are going.