North Carolina and Georgia see huge early voting turnout

North Carolina voters came out in droves yesterday setting a new record for first-day early voting. Despite the aftermath of Hurricane Helene‚ which hit the state about three weeks ago 353166 ballots were cast (thats more than any previous year)

The state managed to open 76 polling sites in disaster-struck areas only four less than planned. This turnout slightly topped 2020s numbers‚ when the coronavirus pandemic was at its peak but far exceeded other recent elections.

Georgia also saw a surge in early voting. Since Tuesday‚ more than 960‚000 Georgians have voted – nearly 20% of the total 2020 turnout and twice as many as the same period four years ago.

These numbers hint at high voter enthusiasm in both states‚ though its hard to say much beyond that. Trump and Harris are neck-and-neck in polls in Georgia and North Carolina; either state could be crucial in deciding the White House winner.

Michael Bitzer‚ a political science professor‚ noted a shift in North Carolinaʼs early voting patterns:

Thereʼs a great deal of interest in both sides of the aisle The great unknown is what are the unaffiliateds doing. We donʼt have a good sense of where they may be landing in all of this

Unlike 2020 when Democrats dominated early voting Democrats and Republicans cast an equal number of ballots on the first day this year.

Mail-in voting is also picking up steam in battleground states:
- North Carolina: 73‚133
- Michigan: 857‚270
- Pennsylvania: 690‚891
- Wisconsin: 283‚123
- Arizona: 172‚145

Early in-person voting starts in parts of Michigan tomorrow including Detroit. Trump and Harris are campaigning in the area today‚ with Harris expected to hold another event in Detroit tomorrow