RALEIGH, N.C. — Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards is in Raleigh Friday for a campaign rally at Dorton Arena.

Officials say Edwards, his wife, Elizabeth, and eldest daughter, Cate, will speak at the "Bring It Home Rally." John and Elizabeth Edwards will also vote early at the Pullen Arts Center in Raleigh.

Workers have spent the past few days setting up the stage for the event.

Rock musician Jon Bon Jovi is scheduled to warm up the crowd with a few songs Friday before Edwards takes the arena stage. Bon Jovi has been on the road performing at John Kerry rallies in recent weeks.

The event is free, but

a ticket

is required. Organizers gave out some 11,000 free tickets for the event online alone.

"We like the aggressive grounding we have, with another visit by Sen. Edwards, we feel like we are in a good position to make some surprises on Tuesday," said Morgan Jackson, of the Kerry/Edwards campaign.

Democratic consultant Brad Crone believes an Edwards appearance can help fellow Democrats, even though a recent WRAL poll shows Edwards' unfavorable numbers rising.

"They've been beating each other up on television, so everybody's numbers are up," he said. "This is about exciting your base, talking to your more moderate to liberal Democrats and making sure your suburban and urban voters go to the polls."

The North Carolina senator and Raleigh attorney has not held a rally in his home state since Oct. 6. Since then, Edwards largely has been campaigning in battleground states, which don't include North Carolina.