RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - Despite claims by Democrats that Republican-backed election law changes would depress voter turnout, more North Carolinians voted in November than they did in the 2010 midterm.

Data from the state Board of Elections shows 44 percent of registered voters cast a ballot last month. In 2010, the figure was 43 percent.

Unaffiliated voters continued their surge in the state. Of the more than 250,000 additional voters this time around, nearly two of three were unaffiliated.