RALEIGH -- With election season in full swing, a new poll of North Carolina voters finds overwhelming-bipartisan support for investments in early-childhood education. Tracy Zimmerman, with the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation, says the results shows that voters truly understand the importance of early learning, and they want policymakers to prioritize investments at the state and national level.

Zimmerman says, "Majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents support investments in early-childhood programs. And that means expanding access to Smart Start and Pre-K, teacher training, in-home visiting, and parent-education programs."

83% of North Carolina voters polled said they believe early childhood investments will help the economy, and a majority said they're more likely to vote for candidates who support early childhood efforts.