(CULLOWHEE) -- A lot is on the line in this year's elections. If North Carolina is not a major player in the Republican Presidential primary on May 8th, Western Carolina University professor Chris Cooper said that will likely have a big impact on outcomes, especially for a proposed marriage amendment to the state constitution.

"You've got to figure that's going to depress Republican turnout a little bit, which would be better, for the most part, for sort of more Democratic leaning things like defeating Amendment One in guess in this case, so yes, if you love Amendment One, you thing it is a great thing you want this Republican primary to go down to the wire," said Cooper.

The amendment would further the state's ban on gay marriage.

(Thanks to: WWNC)