As of Sunday, more than 1 million North Carolinians have cast their ballots for the upcoming November general election, according to the North Carolina State Election Board.
The total number of ballots submitted stands at 1,008,123, comprising 916,433 in-person early votes, 77,831 civilian absentee ballots, and nearly 14,000 military or overseas absentee votes. This turnout reflects approximately 13% of North Carolina’s 7.8 million registered voters.
Karen Brinson Bell, the executive director of the state election board, expressed gratitude to the county boards of elections and the thousands of election workers who have facilitated the voting process.
“It has been an incredibly busy few days,” she stated.
Bell urged communities to appreciate the efforts of those ensuring that every vote counts.
The turnout this year shows a notable increase compared to the last presidential election in 2020. During the first three days of in-person early voting, about 863,000 voters participated, marking a 2.4% rise over the same period in 2020, when approximately 843,000 voters had cast their ballots. This uptick in early voting can be attributed to heightened engagement from voters eager to make their voices heard in the upcoming election.
With the election fast approaching, both major parties are concentrating their efforts on North Carolina. Former President Donald Trump has scheduled campaign stops in Greenville and Concord, emphasizing his commitment to engaging with voters directly. In contrast, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will be visiting the Triangle area, showcasing the strategic importance of North Carolina in the electoral landscape.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections noted that the early voting process has not been without challenges. Last month, the board faced a lawsuit from the Republican Party regarding the use of digital IDs for voting, which was ultimately rejected by state judges. Additionally, officials had to delay ballot distributions to remove Robert F. Kennedy Jr. following a successful legal challenge.
As of now, North Carolina remains a key battleground state in the presidential race, with polling indicating a tight race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. The Hill/Decision Desk HQ’s polling average shows a virtual tie, with Harris trailing Trump by a mere 0.7 percentage points. This competitive environment underscores the significance of voter turnout as Election Day approaches, scheduled for November 5.
