Raleigh, N.C. — More than 1.6 million people have cast a ballot in North Carolina's early voting. Early voting started Oct. 16 and goes through 1 p.m. Saturday, and more people have cast an early opinion in this election than at any time in the state's history.
Data that the State Board of Elections released Wednesday shows 1,690,195 people have voted at early sites. In 2004, the state counted some 984,000 ballots during the full early period.
Another 157,000 voters have cast an absentee ballots, including 5,848 in the military and 2,817 people overseas.
Elections leaders are encouraging people to take advantage of one-stop sites, fearing that Election Day lines could be long. Since Wake County opened 15 early voting sites, 155,755 people have cast votes there.
"I definitely know that I'm talking about it more with my friends than I did in the last election,” voter Kimberly Kirkchun said.
"It means a lot. I mean, it's history," said Kenneth Bryant, who voted Wednesday for the first time.
Historically, young, first-time voters make up a small percentage in Wake County.
"I think it will be high this time because we had such an increase in young voters,” said Cherie Poucher, director of Wake County's Board of Elections.
Poucher says it is too early to know for sure how big the count will be, but she is certain it will be higher than normal.
"There have been some very good grassroots-level organizations going out and registering people, and getting them into the process," she said. "Anything that is going to get them enthusiastically involved is very good for the entire democratic process."
"Come out and vote, even if it's not for Obama. Just vote,” said voter Brittany Morales.
In Johnston County, 22,818 people have cast an early ballot, officials said. Durham County has counted 64,908 early ballots since Oct. 16.










WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.
This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
October 30, 2008 1:22 p.m.
October 30, 2008 12:25 p.m.
October 30, 2008 11:56 a.m.
October 30, 2008 11:38 a.m.
I guess you fit the typical GOP target voter description - scared, prone to bouts of panic and extreme sense of self-righteous.
Its been 7 years since 9-11 and George Bush has not caught bin laden nor has he accomplished the mission in Afghanistan. Instead he launches a new war by LYING to the people and get 4100 of our soldiers killed and thousands physically disabled. And don't even talk about our economic security. And you claim Dems are weak on national security? All GOPes like do is blame others. GOP has never accomplished anything on their own. The most incompetent bunch of people ever.
October 30, 2008 11:15 a.m.