midterm

Black voters in North Carolina turned out in record numbers for early voting. The surge follows months of educational outreach efforts by nonpartisan organizations.

Elon University's final poll before the midterm finds former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper leading Michael Whatley by 13 percentage points. Poll officials say the lead is driven by moderates, independents, Blacks, Hispanics and women.

Once pegged as a low-thrill election cycle without major statewide races, North Carolina's campaign season became a high-intensity fight over Republican…