More than 200,000 people voted on North Carolina’s first day of early in-person voting, according to the state’s board of elections.
During the first day of early voting during the 2020 election, just shy of 350,000 people voted. State election officials expect the final count for 2024’s first day to meet or exceed the 350,000 benchmark.
Thursday was a new experience for Terrell Halcomb.
“I haven’t lived in a state that has early voting until now, so that’s why I came out. Because every state should have early voting,” said Halcomb.
For Arely Chaviano, it was her second time casting a ballot.
“Every vote counts, that’s the most important thing. That’s why we’re here,” said Chaviano, who is originally from Cuba.
Both women showed up at Durham County Main Library and waited in line to vote at one of 419 early voting sites now opened statewide .
Throughout the bulk of the morning and early afternoon, lines ranged from 45 minutes to an hour, though were shorter into the afternoon. In 2020, 74% of registered voters in Durham County cast ballots, just below the statewide rate of 75%.