North Carolina’s early voting numbers have surpassed those of 2020, setting a new record in the state. The North Carolina State Board of Elections announced on Sunday that over 4.2 million voters had cast their ballots in person at early voting sites, with the western counties hit by Hurricane “Helen” reporting even higher turnout rates than other areas in the state.
Early in-person voting in North Carolina concluded on Saturday. Looking back at several election cycles, this voting method has become increasingly popular in this crucial battleground state. Voters have the opportunity to both register and cast their ballot at early voting locations.
Four years ago, during the early voting period across 100 counties in the state, 3.63 million people voted early, setting a historic record. The election board stated that this year’s total voter turnout in the state had already exceeded that number by last Thursday.
Officials reported that as of Sunday morning, a total of 4,465,548 voters had participated in the election, including mail-in ballots, representing 57% of North Carolina’s 7.8 million registered voters.
Officials noted that in the 25 western counties affected by Hurricane Helen, the voter turnout was higher than in other parts of the state, reaching 58.9%, approximately 2% higher than the statewide voter turnout.
Karen Brinson Bell, the executive director of the board, expressed pride in a statement: “I am proud of all 100 county boards of elections and the thousands of elections workers who achieved this goal in their communities.”
“I am particularly proud of the workers and voters in western North Carolina. You all inspire us all,” she added.
The high early voting turnout this year can be attributed in part to Republican efforts to encourage early voting, with the messaging during the 2024 U.S. presidential election period sharply contrasting with that of 2020.
In addition to the presidential election, North Carolina residents will also be voting for a new governor, attorney general, and several other state government positions, as well as members of the U.S. House of Representatives and state legislature.
(This article is adapted from the relevant reports from the Associated Press)